Sopore, Nov 03 (KNO): Amid mounting traffic congestion, the Fruit Mandi Sopore has suspended fresh arrivals till Wednesday 10 PM, while the vital Sopore Bypass Bridge is expected to reopen on November 5.
President, Fruit Mandi Sopore, Fayaz Ahmed Malik, popularly known as Kaka Ji, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the mandi has reached its capacity and no fresh produce-laden vehicles would be allowed entry until the existing congestion is cleared.
“We have already packed the mandi. Once the existing congestion is cleared, fresh arrivals will be allowed. No produce will be permitted to enter the mandi till tomorrow 10 PM,” Malik said.
He said the continued closure of the bypass bridge has aggravated the traffic situation in Sopore, affecting the movement of vehicles, particularly those transporting horticultural produce.
Meanwhile, the bridge is expected to be thrown open on November 5, with stakeholders expressing hope that its reopening would facilitate smoother vehicular movement.
The Sopore Bypass Bridge is a crucial connectivity link that helps divert heavy traffic away from the town, particularly vehicles travelling between Kupwara and Srinagar. Its closure for repair work has forced commuters and transporters to use alternative routes through Sopore, adding to traffic congestion.
The disruption has come at a crucial time for the horticulture sector, with the fruit mandi witnessing considerable movement of apple consignments during the ongoing marketing season.
The reopening of the bridge is expected to ease pressure on the town’s roads and improve transportation of fruit consignments, providing much-needed relief to growers, traders and transporters—(KNO)