Srinagar, Feb 21 (KNO): Anticipating a sharp rise in vehicular movement with the reopening of schools, colleges and offices, traffic authorities in Srinagar have proposed staggered timings for educational institutions to ease peak-hour congestion across key city routes, officials said.
They said the proposal gains significance amid Ramadan, when Sehri and Iftari hours already witness heavy traffic load, particularly along the Barzulla healthcare corridor.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the SSP Traffic City Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said a magnetised Bund road has been developed in Barzulla to improve connectivity to the newly constructed hospital block in the area.
“The alternate Bund road has been completed in its first phase and is now functional. A ramp is also being proposed to create additional parking space, which will improve overall mobility,” Bhat said.
He said the authorities are working on connecting the new Barzulla block to Chanpora via the Bund. “The DPR has been forwarded by R&B authorities, and the work is expected to be completed within the current financial year,” the SSP said, adding that the proposed stretch will extend towards the right bank and link with Sanat Nagar, creating an alternative traffic corridor.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, who also spoke with the media, said decongesting hospital zones remains a top priority, particularly around Government Medical College Srinagar and Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar, which witness heavy daily inflow of patients and attendants.
“To ease pressure on SMHS and super-speciality areas, an alternate Sonwar route has been developed. The work is progressing rapidly and is expected to divert nearly half of the existing traffic, ensuring quicker access for patients,” he said.
At the Bone and Joint Hospital in Barzulla, three major interventions are underway. The first phase of the alternate Bund road has been completed.
Secondly, work has begun on creating an alternate entry point from the Bund side to facilitate trauma patients, doctors and medical staff.
“Once completed, the hospital will not have to rely solely on the main road for access. This will significantly reduce bottlenecks,” the DC Srinagar said.
Additionally, an alternate parking facility is being planned from the Bund road, with a ramp and allied infrastructure to allow hospital staff to park vehicles without adding to roadside congestion.
Both the DC Srinagar and SSP Traffic said the Barzulla underpass has been completed for light motor vehicles (LMVs) and cleared by the traffic authorities.
“The underpass will now be made operational for LMVs, which will help decongest traffic from Bulbul Bagh and adjoining areas,” the DC said, adding that heavy vehicles will not be permitted.
With schools, colleges, and offices set to reopen and traffic flow expected to surge, especially during Sehri and Iftari hours in Ramadan, the Traffic Department has proposed staggered timings for educational institutions.
“We have submitted the proposal to the government. If approved, it will substantially ease peak-hour pressure across key city routes,” SSP Traffic said—(KNO)