Srinagar, July 17:   The Traders Federation Soura has expressed serious concern over the encroachments along the main road in the area and also the traffic congestion even as they appealed Divisional Commissioner Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon to look into the matter.
 In a statement, the federation highlighted various problems from faced by the people in general and traders in particular.
 “The market at Soura, is fast developing into a commercial hub. Besides   Sheri-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences,   the area facilitates as a feeding market / Mandi for newly    created District Gandarbal.  One of the main attractions of the area is also the Gyne Hospital which caters to the needs of  thousands   of  female patients   right from   Nowhatta  to  Kangan. But   unfortunately, the segment of road from SKIMS main gate to Buchpora has turned    into a slum due to reasons more than one,” the federation president said.
Encroachment of footpaths
 The federation said: “Many shopkeepers, apart from encroachment of all the footpaths, have kept their paraphernalia on the main road resulting in blockade of traffic.”
‘Sumo / Taxi operators’
 The federation said a taxi stand has encroached upon a passenger shed, commonly known as a bus bay. “The said passenger shed, apart from functioning as an office and waiting room for the said Taxi Stand, also houses a tea stall,” the federation said.
Fruit Vendors
 “The fruit vendors, who have erected permanent structures in-front of the shops have made the market look like a forgotten land. In peak hours more and more such vendors hailing from different areas are seen selling their products. Thus a 70 feet wide road has been reduced to less than 20 feet,” the Federation president said.
Bus mess
 “The bus operators have been granted a Circular Route Permit, which means that they have to ply their buses from Soura, Buchpora, Ahmad Nagar to Gandarbal with no stops either at Soura, Buchpora or Ahmad Nagar. But in reality this fleet of more than 200 buses is often parked on the main road Soura that too outside SKIMS causing inconvenience to everyone.”
Dumping of Pipes
 Also, the federation said, big pipes have been laid at many places along the main road which furthers the congestion in the busy area.
Bottomline appeal
 The federation president appealed the Divisional Commissioner Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon and SMC Commissioner,  Sheikh Mushtaq to visit the area and take requisite measures to get rid of the menace.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST