The persistent traffic jams in Srinagar are wreaking havoc on the daily lives of citizens, while authorities seem to be lacking an effective policy to address the issue. The narrow and dilapidated roads are not only causing inconvenience to commuters but also resulting in losses for transporters.

Despite ongoing work under the Smart City project, the pace of progress is slow, and contractors cite fund constraints. With winter approaching, it appears that the city’s traffic woes will persist.

The ongoing construction in areas like Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, and Nalamar road is causing hours-long traffic jams, wasting passengers’ time. Moreover, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s sanitation work, which begins at 9 am, coincides with the morning rush hour, causing further congestion.

Unlike other parts of the country, Srinagar’s traffic comes to a standstill even during VIP movements. The valley has the highest density of public and private transport, and its decades-old roads are struggling to cope with the demands of a smart city.

To mitigate this, the government must formulate a robust traffic policy. Until then, adopting an odd-even policy like Delhi’s and ensuring garbage collection is completed before 8 am could help alleviate the situation. The authorities must prioritize addressing the traffic chaos to prevent further inconvenience to citizens.