Ganderbal, June 9, KNT: Residents of Ganderbal have urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to regulate the movement of tourist vehicles during morning peak hours, claiming that increasing traffic toward Sonamarg is causing severe daily congestion and disrupting normal life across the district.
In a memorandum addressed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, local resident Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, on behalf of residents, sought immediate intervention to address what he described as an escalating traffic crisis.
The representation highlights growing concerns over heavy tourist traffic moving toward major destinations, particularly Sonamarg, during the same hours when students, employees, and residents are commuting to schools, colleges, offices, and healthcare facilities.
According to the memorandum, the resulting congestion has led to repeated delays for schoolchildren, many of whom are reportedly missing morning assemblies and classes as school buses remain stranded in traffic jams.
The residents also claimed that government and private sector employees are increasingly finding it difficult to reach their workplaces on time, affecting routine administrative functioning and public services.
The memorandum further raises concerns about medical emergencies, stating that traffic bottlenecks pose a serious challenge for ambulances and patients requiring urgent medical attention.
Seeking a practical solution, the residents have proposed that tourist vehicles be regulated or scheduled to pass through key congestion points after the morning rush hours, suggesting a time window beyond 10:30 a.m. They have also recommended alternative measures such as dedicated lanes or staggered traffic timings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
While acknowledging the importance of tourism to the local economy, the residents said the proposed measures are intended to balance the interests of visitors with the daily needs of local communities.
The memorandum calls for urgent administrative intervention to ensure smoother traffic movement and minimize disruption to education, employment, and essential services in the district. [KNT]
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