Srinagar, Apr 30: A light shower on Monday punctured the claims of the traffic department that various steps have been taken to streamline traffic in Srinagar as the city witnessed massive traffic jams throughout the day leaving thousands of people stranded for hours.
The traffic jams were reported from across the city with worst jams reported in business hub Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Qamarwari, Airport Road, Karan Nagar, Raj Bagh, Rambagh, Dalgate, Sonwar and other areas.
According to reports the traffic jams worsened in the afternoon after a light shower lashed the city roads and vehicles started playing at snail’s pace which ultimately blocked all the roads for several hours.
“I was stranded for almost an hour at Qamarwari Chowk. It has become routine for us. Every time there is rain, traffic jam is likely at that time. It is frustrating,” said Ishfaq Ahmed Bhat of Safakadal.
Another commuter, Irfan Lone, who also had to face a tough time, said, “I was stuck in traffic jam between my home at Sonwar and Amirakadal. A distance of 4 odd kilometers normally would take about 15 minutes but it took me an hour to reach Lal Chowk. Parking vehicles on roads by certain people adds to the problem.”
“The vehicles that come out from parking places at busy roads like Residency Road creates problem. Whole traffic is stopped to allow these vehicles to come on roads,” said a university student Yasir Wani.
Pertinently, Traffic department has claimed that a new mechanism is going to be in place after the Darbar Move for smooth movement of vehicle in the summer capital of the state.
Taking to Greater Kashmir, SP Traffic, Srinagar, Haseeb-u-Rehman said, “It was due to sudden flow of vehicles in higher numbers that caused traffic jam. And it was not traffic jam, the vehicles were moving slowly.”
He said that they will not allow those Sumos to enter the city from Tuesday which are not registered with their respective stands.
“This will also ease traffic in a big way. Additional men will also join us that will help us in manning beats in a better way,” the SP said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 May 2012 00:00:00 IST