Srinagar, Mar 10: Haphazard pedestrian crossings have emerged as a growing concern in Srinagar, with people frequently crossing roads at random locations instead of using designated points, disrupting traffic flow and raising safety risks across the city. To address the issue, 360 bays and zebra crossings are in pipeline.
Traffic officials said that the practice not only slows down vehicles on busy roads but also forces drivers to brake suddenly, often resulting in congestion and increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Apart from creating traffic bottlenecks, sudden pedestrian movement also poses a serious safety risk, as motorists sometimes lose control of their vehicles while attempting to avoid people crossing the road unexpectedly. Commuters as well as traffic authorities have expressed concern over the issue, stressing the need for greater public awareness and stricter adherence to pedestrian crossing rules.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, SSP Traffic Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad said the primary reason behind the problem is the absence of proper stopping points for public transport. “The main issue is that buses and auto-rickshaws are not stopping at designated spots, which forces passengers to cross roads haphazardly. This creates hazards and gives the impression of a disorganised system,” he said.
He said the authorities are working to address the problem by developing designated bus stops along with pedestrian pathways and zebra crossings to improve road safety and streamline traffic movement. SSP Aijaz Ahmad further said that weather conditions had affected the visibility of existing road markings, but municipal authorities are taking steps to restore them. “We are also developing state-of-the-art bus stops that will provide shade and other amenities for passengers. The aim is to ensure that buses and autos halt only at designated spots so that passengers can cross roads safely,” he said. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer of Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) Abdul Qayoom Kirmani said that fresh road marking work will begin once weather conditions improve.
“We have planned to create new zebra crossings across Srinagar by the end of March. In addition, around 360 new bus bays are being developed across the city to streamline public transport halts and improve pedestrian safety,” he added. Officials believe that the combined measures—along with improved road markings and designated bus halts—will help regulate pedestrian movement, reduce traffic congestion and make Srinagar’s roads safer for both commuters and pedestrians.
