Pulwama, June 17, KNT: Locals and civil society members from Pampore have urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately open the under-construction Ring Road stretch between Kadlabal Pampore and Khanda, arguing that the road is substantially complete and can provide immediate relief from mounting traffic congestion in the area.
In a public appeal addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, locals said traffic movement has become increasingly difficult due to ongoing works at Lasjan and Padshahi Bagh bridges.
The signatories maintained that the delay in opening the road has created an untenable situation for commuters, with long traffic snarls becoming a routine feature on the route.
According to the appeal, the issue has acquired added significance with the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra and the ongoing Muharram period expected to increase vehicular movement across the region.
They further pointed out that the commencement of Vande Bharat train services has increased passenger inflow at Nowgam Railway Station, with tourists travelling onwards to destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg frequently encountering traffic bottlenecks on the affected corridor.
They argued that prolonged congestion creates a deleterious impact on the tourism sector by leaving visitors with an unfavorable impression of transport infrastructure and connectivity.
The memorandum states that students, patients, office-goers and other daily commuters are among the worst affected and that opening the Kadlabal-Khanda stretch could significantly improve traffic circulation until the bridge works are completed.
The appeal has been issued by RDF Pampore, which urged the administration to take an expeditious decision in the larger public interest. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
