GRIDLOCKS AT HYDERPORA HIGHWAY JUNCTION, ‘HORRIFIC TRAVEL’ AT NIGHT HOURS; ALTERNATIVE LINK ROAD TO AERODROME IN SHAMBLES

Srinagar, July 5:With the state government seeming to be in slumber over mess on the Hyderprora square, gridlocks have witnessed surge on the highway for the past few days with travelers particularly those heading towards the aerodrome having a tough time.
 On Tuesday the traffic jam on the square where the Airport Road intersects with the highway to north Kashmir lasted for around two hours with many travelers indulging in altercation with the traffic cops who looked helpless in the situation.

THE MESS
 At around 11 AM when this correspondent visited the area, gridlock of vehicles could be seen stretching to over three kilometers between Tengpora and Sanat Nagar square on one side while a similar jam could be seen on the Airport Road between Parray Pora and Pir Bagh amid deafening horns and helpless drivers.
 Witnesses said several vehicles were damaged in the bumper-to-bumper jams while some of the annoyed drivers even flexed muscles on each other amid gridlock of five thousand odd and growing vehicles, including considerable number of those carrying Amarnath Yatris.

NIGHT HORROR
 The mess is horrific in the night hours particularly after 8:30 PM when heavy vehicles are allowed to venture into City. The congestion swells at the Hyderpora square as tippers, mostly without number plates start rushing into the civil lines.
  Incidentally at the time when the tension mounts at the square, the traffic police cops on duty there are seen going off.
 “Trust me I feel scared to drive on the Airport Road,” said Zahoor Ahmed, a resident of Pir Bagh. While the Airport Road and the intersecting highway witness heavy rush of speeding vehicles, it’s a big jam at the Hyderpora square, where people get helplessly stuck for hours together.
 Observers said given the traffic rush during summers, the heavy vehicles should be allowed to venture into City only after 11 PM.

‘WEAK POLICING’
 Despite huge rush of vehicles mere six traffic cops man the entire stretch on the high profile road where as the experts said there was need of at-least 20 of them for “effective traffic regulation.”
 “Given the rush of vehicles coupled with congestion due to ongoing work on the flyover, at-least 20 cops are required to man the traffic,” said a traffic official.

THE CAUSES
 Apart from the ongoing construction of the flyover, on at “snail’s pace” for the past over five years, the work of drainage construction along Hyderpora highway has left one of the lanes closed for traffic. As a result the two way traffic on the Parimpora-Athwajan highway plies on the single lane.
 Besides, the government’s alleged failure to manage the multiple works at a time through proper planning proved worst.
 “The district administration should have evolved coordination between various agencies for smooth conduct of works and traffic regulation,” said a senior official requesting not to be named.

OFFICIALS SPEAK
 When contacted the SP Traffic Srinagar Maqsood Ul Zaman said the department was trying its best to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
 “But as one highway lanes is affected it puts more pressure on the other thereby at times leading to slowing down of traffic,” he said.

DIV COMM FACTOR
 Observers said Divisional Commissioner Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon who has been reviewing most of the City developments should personally look into the matter and evolve speedy initiatives.

Flyover delay in Big Noon Chai
Chronic delay in the Hyderpora flyover construction on Tuesday went on air on popular radio program the Big Noon Chai with RJ Haya highlighting the public opinion on the issue.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR IMMEDIATE RESPITE

• At-least 20 cops be put on duty to manage traffic at Hyderpora square. Services of district, or armed police could be utilized.

• To avoid ‘night traffic horror’ after 8:30 PM duty of traffic cops be extended upto 11 PM.

• Entry of heavy vehicles into City be allowed only after 11 PM

• Army convoys on highway be asked to avoid peak rush hour travel

• Rawalpora-Pirbagh canal link road be blacktopped on immediate basis as a backup for traffic to Airport

• Work on much awaited Hyderpora flyover be geared up
(Source Experts)

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST