In a letter addressed to the SSP, the local inhabitants described how Maxi Cab drivers operating on key routes including Srinagar to Baramulla, Kupwara, Gulmarg, and Tangmarg routinely park and wait for passengers at the busy junction near the Traffic Police Booth. This unauthorized practice, they claim, leads to frequent congestion, especially during peak hours, inconveniencing commuters, pedestrians, and residents while increasing the risk of accidents.

 

Shalteng Chowk, a major intersection handling significant vehicular movement toward northern Kashmir districts, has long been identified as a congestion hotspot in Srinagar's traffic studies, including the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for the city. Residents emphasized that the chowk's narrow layout and high traffic volume make such illegal parking particularly problematic, exacerbating daily jams and safety concerns.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

The complainants have urged the SSP Traffic City Srinagar to take immediate enforcement action against the errant drivers and prevent Shalteng Chowk from being used as an unofficial halt station. They expressed hope for swift intervention to restore smooth traffic flow and prioritize public safety.

 

This grievance comes amid ongoing efforts by Srinagar traffic authorities to address broader decongestion challenges, including restrictions on outside vehicles entering the city center, crackdowns on illegal parking at various spots, and reviews of mobility plans to ease bottlenecks at key junctions.

 

Traffic police have previously acted on similar issues across the city, such as fining illegal parking near hospitals and regulating unauthorized commercial vehicle operations. No immediate response from the SSP Traffic office on this specific complaint has been reported, but locals anticipate prompt measures given the recurring nature of such violations in the area. (KNS)