Pedestrians in Srinagar city are facing increasing difficulties due to rampant and illegal roadside parking by motorists, particularly in busy commercial and residential areas. With vehicles occupying much of the footpaths and road margins, pedestrians, including schoolchildren, elderly citizens, and women, are being forced to walk dangerously close to moving traffic.
This growing menace is especially visible in areas like Lal Chowk, Karan Nagar, Jahangir Chowk, Rajbagh, Batamaloo, and Nowhatta, where narrow roads and high traffic volume compound the problem. Despite repeated public complaints and media attention, authorities have so far failed to take effective action.
“It has become a daily hazard,” said Asiya Jan, a university student who commutes from Rajbagh to MA Road.
“Footpaths are completely blocked with cars, leaving us no option but to walk on the road. It’s especially risky during peak hours.”
The situation worsens during school opening and closing times, with parents and auto drivers occupying every inch of available space outside schools and tuition centers. Even in areas where multi-level parking facilities exist, many drivers choose to park illegally to save time or avoid parking fees.
Shopkeepers too contribute to the problem by using sidewalks to display merchandise or allowing customers to park in front of their establishments, further narrowing the space for pedestrians.
A local traffic official, requesting anonymity, admitted the issue was widespread.
“We conduct drives occasionally, but there’s no sustained enforcement due to shortage of personnel and limited towing infrastructure,” he said.
According to traffic observers, the lack of dedicated pedestrian zones, poor implementation of no-parking zones, and weak coordination between municipal and traffic enforcement bodies are to blame for the persistent issue.
Sheikh Imran, a civil rights activist and member of a local citizens' group, criticized the administration’s lack of action:
“Pedestrians form a large segment of city commuters, yet their safety is constantly compromised. We need firm action against encroachments and illegal parking—not just fines, but towing and cancellation of licenses for repeated offenders.”
Urban planning experts also warn that if Srinagar continues to ignore the needs of pedestrians, the city will not only face worsening congestion but also rising accident rates.
The public has urged the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Traffic Police to launch joint, sustained anti-encroachment drives, create proper pedestrian infrastructure, and ensure regular monitoring to reclaim the city’s footpaths for their rightful users.
Until that happens, pedestrians in Srinagar will continue to navigate daily life with risk and difficulty—on roads meant for vehicles, not people.