KINS Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 13 (KINS): The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, City Srinagar, Aijaz Ahmad has identified the recent change in school timings as the primary cause behind the growing traffic congestion across the city.
Speaking to media persons in Srinagar on Thursday, the SSP as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) explained that earlier, schools across Srinagar started at 8 in the morning but with the revised schedule now beginning at 10 am., the city’s traffic flow has been significantly affected.
“This change has altered traffic patterns. Since office timings remain the same, the peak hours of movement for schools and offices now overlap. As a result, the entire traffic volume converges on Lal Chowk and other main routes at almost the same time,” SSP said.
The SSP added that the Traffic Police Department is continuously monitoring the situation and deploying additional personnel at critical junctions. “We try to make it easier wherever we feel there is congestion. Accordingly, we deploy manpower to ease the flow,” he said.
Highlighting the challenges posed by the onset of winter, the City Traffic Chief noted that shorter days and colder mornings have further compounded the problem. “With winter setting in, people tend to leave home later in the morning and return earlier in the evening. This results in simultaneous pressure on the main routes, especially during morning and evening hours,” he added.
Addressing the recurring traffic jams between Rambagh and Natipora, the SSP said, “There is always traffic pressure in that stretch. We try to manage it by diverting vehicles through the Natipora–Doodh Ganga and Rambagh routes. However, intersections around Rambagh continue to pose challenges due to the merging traffic from multiple directions.”
The SSP urged the public to cooperate with traffic authorities and adopt more efficient commuting practices.
“We appeal to people to cooperate with the traffic police and use public transport instead of their own vehicles. Carpooling or shared vehicles can help reduce congestion. Roadside parking should be avoided as it restricts movement and creates bottlenecks,” he said.
Assuring citizens of continued efforts to ease traffic flow, the SSP concluded, “Srinagar Traffic Police is closely monitoring key choke points and will continue to deploy additional personnel and diversions as required to minimize inconvenience to commuters.”(KINS)
