The evening hours in Srinagar have become synonymous with traffic chaos, as the absence of effective traffic management by authorities leads to severe congestion in the city center. The situation has left commuters exasperated, with traffic jams becoming a daily ordeal as soon as the sun begins to set.
Key areas in the city center, including Rambagh, Jawahar Nagar, Jahangir Chowk, Dalgate, and surrounding areas, are particularly affected by these evening traffic snarls.
Commuters report that the problem is exacerbated by the apparent disappearance of traffic cops from the roads during these crucial hours. Without regulation, the city’s already congested streets become gridlocked, causing significant delays and frustration for those trying to navigate through the city.
"Every evening, it’s the same story. The roads are clogged, and there’s no one around to manage the traffic," said Ghulam Muhammad, a daily commuter.
He noted that the situation is further aggravated by wrong parking practices.
"Scores of private cars are parked haphazardly on roadsides, and to make matters worse, footpaths are occupied by street vendors. There’s no space left for pedestrians, who are forced to walk on the roads, worsening the traffic jams."
The lack of enforcement in the evening hours has allowed these problems to spiral out of control. Commuters have observed that traffic cops, who should be regulating the flow, are often nowhere to be found during the peak evening hours.
Even when a few officers are present, they appear disengaged from the chaos unfolding around them.
"You can see a few traffic cops here and there, but they’re just sitting on the roadside, doing nothing while the traffic gets worse," said a group of frustrated commuters.
The failure to address these issues has made evening travel in Srinagar increasingly difficult. The unchecked wrong parking, combined with the occupation of footpaths by vendors, creates bottlenecks that are difficult to navigate.
The absence of visible traffic regulation not only causes delays but also poses safety risks, as pedestrians are forced onto the roads, further complicating the already dire situation.
Residents and commuters alike are calling for immediate action from the authorities to alleviate the evening traffic woes. Many believe that a more active and engaged approach from traffic police, along with stricter enforcement of parking regulations and removal of unauthorized street vendors, could significantly improve the situation.
As the problem persists, the need for a comprehensive traffic management plan for the evenings has never been more apparent. Without it, Srinagar’s city center is likely to remain a hotspot for evening traffic jams, much to the frustration of its residents.