Srinagar, April 4: The breathtaking beauty of Srinagar’s tulip and Mughal gardens is drawing thousands of visitors, but with this joy comes a major challenge—traffic congestion.
Over the past few days, Srinagar has witnessed a massive influx of tourists, both local and from outside, eager to catch a glimpse of the iconic Tulip Garden and Mughal gardens. However, the surge in visitors has also led to choking traffic jams, leaving residents struggling to carry out their daily routines.
A Festival of Flowers, A Struggle on the Roads
Since Eid-ul-Fitr, thousands have poured into these gardens, with officials estimating that over 75,000 people visited the Tulip Garden during the festival alone. The numbers continue to rise, with approximately 2 lakh visitors recorded in the past eight days.
“This is great for tourism, but the traffic situation has become unmanageable. Thousands of vehicles are heading towards the Boulevard Road and Downtown daily, making it extremely difficult for us to regulate traffic smoothly,” said a traffic department official.
Residents Feel the Impact
While the tourist rush is a positive sign for Kashmir’s economy, it has also made life difficult for the locals. Residents of Dalgate, Nishat, Shalimar, Harwan, Theed, and Tailbal are finding it increasingly challenging to move through the city.
“We are not against tourism; it’s what keeps Kashmir alive. But there needs to be a balance. Our daily lives are getting disrupted, and public transport is also in chaos. Our children need to reach school, and we need to get to work, but every day feels like a battle against traffic,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a resident of Harwan.
The issue is not just limited to the Boulevard stretch. In Downtown Srinagar, the surge in visitors at Badamwari Garden has created similar congestion. With traffic cops missing at key junctions, the routes from Saidakadal to Khanyar and Nowhatta have been paralyzed by long jams.
A Life-or-Death Situation for Emergency Vehicles
What makes the situation even more alarming is the impact on essential services. Ambulances carrying critical patients are getting stuck, with no clear passage through the traffic.
“We have a patient admitted at Bone and Joint Hospital, and getting there on time has become a nightmare. We’ve told our relatives to avoid coming because they’ll just get trapped in traffic for hours. But what about us? We have urgent medical needs, and this gridlock is making everything worse,” said Nazir Ahmad, an anxious attendant at the hospital.
Authorities Acknowledge the Crisis, Seek Solutions
SSP Traffic Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, admitted that the rise in tourist vehicles has put tremendous pressure on the city’s roads.
“We understand the concerns of both tourists and residents. Since Eid, we’ve seen an unprecedented increase in vehicle movement. Many tourists prefer private vehicles, and that, combined with local traffic, has worsened the situation. Our team is on the ground, working tirelessly to ease congestion, and we are implementing new traffic management strategies to minimize inconvenience,” he assured.
While authorities promise solutions, residents are hoping for quicker and more effective measures. For now, the gardens are in full bloom, but so are the frustrations on Srinagar’s roads.
