Srinagar in mess: Vehicles caught in a serpentine jam

Srinagar: Vehicles caught in a serpentine jam in summer capital Srinagar on Wednesday. Authorities had imposed curbs to foil Muharram processions but forget to issue road advisory in the nick of time. The complacent commuters, mostly government employees were shocked and fumed to see 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 road advisory but till then it was messy situation everywhere.
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 phenomena,” said a government employee.
Vehicles caught in a serpentine jam at Bemina Bypass, Rajbagh, Abdullah Bridge, Lal Ded Hospital while Lal Chowk was out of bounds for commuters. Commuters were seen crossing lanes and bylanes to reach their destination. Traffic normally plied on MA raod while no vehicle was allowed to ply on Residency Road. Due to strict restrictions, traders were unable to open up their shops in Lal Chowk, Jahangir Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maisuma and other areas.
No traffic was allowed towards Batmaloo while all lanes from Chattabal Qamarwari and adjacent areas were blocked. “It was driving like in Hell. 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.
Another commuter said that it was good to allow Muharram procession; at least people would have not suffered as they suffered under curbs.