As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, Srinagar witnessed massive traffic congestion across key city roads on Friday , causing significant inconvenience to commuters and shoppers alike.
With markets bustling with Eid shoppers and increased vehicular movement, areas like Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Dalgate, Nowhatta, Karan Nagar, and Jehangir Chowk reported long snarls, leading to frustration among drivers and pedestrians.
The situation was particularly chaotic around major shopping hubs and sacrificial animal markets. People complained of being stuck in traffic for hours as traffic signals were overwhelmed and enforcement appeared stretched.
“We understand it’s a festival, but the lack of proper traffic management makes it worse,” said Zubair Ahmad, a commuter stuck near Jehangir Chowk. “Even ambulances were struggling to make their way through.”
Officials from the Traffic Department said they had already deployed additional personnel to manage the rush but admitted that the surge in vehicles ahead of Eid has strained the system.
“We appeal to the public to follow traffic advisories, avoid unnecessary travel, and use public transport wherever possible,” a senior traffic official said, adding that teams are working round the clock to ensure smoother movement.
Authorities have also urged citizens to complete shopping in a staggered manner to prevent peak-hour bottlenecks in the coming days.
With Eid-ul-Azha expected to be celebrated over the weekend, officials anticipate continued congestion and have advised early travel planning and patience from the public.