Failure of authorities to put in place measures for traffic regulation in evenings causes traffic jams in the city-centre. Commuters have been facing a tough time for the last two days as traffic cops disappear from roads during evening hours. People throng city-centre during relaxation in shutdown from 4 pm by separatists. City centre areas including Rambagh, Jawahar Nagar, Jahangir Chowk, Dalgate and its adjacent areas witnessed traffic jams. “It took me almost forty five minutes to travel from Regal Chowk to Jahangir Chowk. Not a single traffic cop was present to regulate the traffic. Authorities know that now-a-days people are thronging city markets in evenings, but they don't even bother to manage smooth flow of traffic during these peak hours,” said a commuter Tanvir Ahmad.
Commuters complained that wrong parking in evening hours is worsening the situation. “Scores of private cars are parked on roadsides. Footpaths are occupied by street vendors. There is no space for pedestrians to even walk. They are forced to walk on road which worsens the traffic jam,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a commuter at Maharaji Bazar.Commuters said that few traffic cops could be seen at some places in evening. “These cops sit on roadside and act as mute spectators to traffic jams and wrong parking,” said a group of commuters. Meanwhile, during the evening relaxation, shopkeepers, street vendors and other business establishments witnessed brisk business.However, during the day, complete shutdown was observed in Srinagar on consecutive 120th day. Offices, shops, educational institutions and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport was off the roads. But there was massive movement of private transport on city roads including Lal Chowk. (KNS)