Citizens fume as authorities fail to issue travel advisory on time
SRINAGAR Late advisory and restrictions in the city led to massive traffic jams as police stopped vehicles at barrier points in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 7 police stations.
Authorities had imposed curbs in order to prevent 8th Muharram procession in the city but had forgotten to issue traffic advisory on time. Caught unawares, the commuters, mostly government employees were fuming at seeing the barricades everywhere.
They got stuck in traffic jams for hours in scorching heat. It was only on Wednesday afternoon, when authorities realized their folly that police issued a late advisory but till then it was a messy situation all over.
Police imposed curbs to scuttle the traditional 8th Muharram procession and it led to chaos and outrage across Srinagar city.
It took almost an hour for me to reach Abdullah Bridge from Presentation Convent School. The callous administration as always never think of common people but add to their hardships on the pretext of law and order, said a government employee.
Vehicles were caught in a gridlock at Bemina Bypass, Lal Ded crossing, Rajbagh, Abdullah Bridge, while Lal Chowk was out of bounds for commuters.
Commuters were seen crossing lanes and bylanes to reach their destinations. Skeletal traffic plied on MA Road in the morning while no vehicle was allowed to ply on Residency Road. Due to strict restrictions, traders were unable to open their shops in Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Jahangir Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maisuma and other adjoining areas.
No traffic was allowed towards Batmaloo while all lanes from Chattabal Qamarwari and adjacent areas were blocked. It was driving like in warzone. Who cares about people in this shabby and garrisoned city, an elderly man said adding that authorities can do anything in the name of maintaining law and order. Law and Order for who?, he questioned.
Another commuter said that heavens would not fall if Muharram procession is allowed; at least people would not suffer as they suffered under curbs.
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