New traffic diversion plan leads to chaos in Srinagar

The road from Bemina to Lal Chowk, via Batamaloo, remained choked on the first working day of the week as the new traffic diversion plan formulated in the wake of ongoing Jehangir Chowk- Rambagh flyover construction works came into effect today.
The Bemina-Batamaloo road was jammed with passenger busses and private vehicles during the morning rush hour.
The 5 km journey from Bemina, a major residential neighbourhood on the city outskirts, to Jehangir Chowk took nearly an hour as traffic moved at a snail’s pace.
Two major bottlenecks were witnessed near Degree College at Bemina and the Awren junction in Batamaloo.
Bemina, Qamarwari and Batamaloo roads cater to entire traffic which enters the Srinagar city from several north Kashmir districts.
The route has registered an increased vehicular movement since the state Traffic Police Department announced a diversion plan in view of the flyover construction.
The department, which is short of staff, has launched a major drive against violators in recent months, but has invested fewer personnel in managing traffic at known chaotic spots and routes.
Traffic mismanagement, which has aggravated since the construction of the flyover began, has been a major concern for commuters in the city.
According to Traffic Police officials, vehicular mobility has reduced to a minimum of 4 to 5 km per hour on the Natipora-Chanapora-Lal Ded hospital stretch.
The increasing traffic congestion on the city roads is forcing many residents to avoid using private cars and opt for public transport.
The Traffic Police have also appealed residents to go for “car pooling” to avoid congestion on city roads.