Srinagar, Jan 27 (KNO): The ongoing makeover projects in the summer capital under the Srinagar Smart City have triggered concerns among the citizens and shopkeepers in Karan Nagar area, citing adverse impact on the traffic flow and ambulance movement to various tertiary care hospitals in the valley.
Several shop owners at Karan Nagar area expressed their grievances to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), pointing out that the sluggish progress of the Smart City works around their market area has led to the traffic congestion.
“This not only inconveniences shoppers but also poses challenges for ambulances trying to reach the SMHS, Bone and Joint and Lal Ded hospital,” said a business establishment owner in the area.
He said that the works undertaken by the Srinagar Smart City in the market seems to be progressing at a snail's pace, saying that the road's divider area was dug up and that is one of the contributing factors to traffic jams.
“This road is crucial for reaching the SMHS and other hospitals, and ambulances sometimes lose valuable time navigating through these congestions," he said.
While acknowledging that the ongoing work aims for overall development, a shop owner emphasized that the consequences are being borne by businesses in the area with a decline in the consumer footfall.
“When roads are constantly clogged with traffic, consumers find it challenging to park their vehicles for shopping. The work's pace should be accelerated, and the road resurfacing should be prioritized,” he added.
In response to these concerns, an official from the Srinagar Smart City project acknowledged the traffic slowdown, attributing that to sewerage and drainage works.
“We have completed approximately 80% of drainage and sewerage works. The work on the underground ducting for electrical cables is also underway and from next month the works will be expedited,” assured the official.
The official added that the wrong and haphazard parking of the vehicles on the road sides is among the impediments they are facing in their works and that they will take up the matter with the city traffic police authorities.
Meanwhile, the shop owners and locals in the area urged the concerned authorities for early resurfacing of the roads around the entire Karan Nagar axis—(KNO)