Vehicular and pedestrian movement on key roads near LD Hospital and Hazuri Bagh in Srinagar’s uptown areas has become a daily ordeal, as roadside encroachments by vendors, auto-rickshaws, and Sumo vehicles continue unchecked.
A stretch once meant to facilitate smooth movement of patients and the general public is now barely motorable. Fruit and vegetable vendors have virtually taken over the LD Hospital road, laying out their carts across lanes and leaving minimal space for vehicles to pass. The result is constant traffic snarls and bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.
The situation is even more critical at Hazuri Bagh, where pharmacists and medical shops are struggling to operate. “It’s hard for people to even step inside a chemist shop due to the congestion. The area is choked,” said a local pharmacist.
Auto-rickshaws and Sumo taxis parked haphazardly along both sides of the road only add to the mess. In the absence of any regulation or enforcement from municipal or traffic authorities, the chaos has become a permanent fixture.
“It’s not just about inconvenience. This is a hospital zone. Ambulances and emergency vehicles can’t move freely. How is this acceptable?” asked an agitated commuter.
People have urged the Srinagar administration and traffic police to take immediate steps to clear the encroachments and restore order, especially around the hospital which sees high patient footfall every day. [KNT]
