Raja Zaid
SHOPIAN, May 25: Persistent traffic congestion on major roads in Shopian town has become a daily ordeal for commuters, students and traders, with residents blaming narrow roads, rising vehicle numbers and inadequate parking facilities for the worsening situation.
Locals said heavy traffic jams across the district headquarters are disrupting daily life and causing long delays, especially during peak hours. Students and office-goers said even short distances now take a considerable amount of time due to constant gridlock in the town.
“It takes nearly 30 minutes to cover just three kilometres,” a school student said, adding that students often get delayed while returning home after school hours.
Residents said increasing vehicular movement and unregulated roadside parking have further aggravated the traffic situation in the town.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) for Pulwama-Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmad, said traffic personnel have been deployed at key junctions, including Hospital Road, to regulate movement and improve traffic flow. He added that the situation has improved over the past few months.
The officer said work on a multi-level parking facility near Hospital Road is underway and is expected to help reduce congestion once completed. Meanwhile, MLA Shopian Shabir Ahmad Kullay said the administration is working on a long-term plan to widen roads within the town limits. He said the necessary formalities are being completed and the project will be taken up soon to address the growing traffic problem permanently.
