SRINAGAR: As winter tightens its grip on the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar’s roads are witnessing a sharp rise in traffic congestion, extending commuting hours, frustrating travellers and disrupting daily routines across the city. From uptown areas such as Bagh-e-Mehtab, Barzullah and Chanapora to the busy city centre around Jahangir Chowk and the narrow roads of Downtown, residents say the situation has worsened significantly since the onset of the season.
For many commuters, the morning journey has become an ordeal marked by long and unpredictable delays. Saba, a resident of Bagh-e-Mehtab, recalled how her routine commute to Lal Chowk turned chaotic. “I left home at 9.45 am and expected to reach my office by 10.30 am, but there was a traffic jam near the Barzullah link road. I remained stuck there for almost 20 minutes,” she said, adding that nearly 50 vehicles were stranded at the spot.
Her experience reflects the frustration of hundreds of commuters who use these routes daily, particularly those dependent on the congested intersections connecting southern neighbourhoods to the city’s commercial hub.
Amaira, a student travelling from Pirbagh, said she was stranded at Jahangir Chowk, one of Srinagar’s busiest junctions, while heading to the University of Kashmir for a scheduled practical class. The gridlock delayed her for nearly half an hour. “I was stuck near Jahangir Chowk for about 30 minutes. I had to attend a practical class at the University but missed it and was later reprimanded by my teachers,” she said.
Traffic police officials attribute the sudden rise in congestion partly to winter-related factors. With schools, colleges and offices operating on compressed schedules and foggy mornings affecting vehicle movement, peak hours have narrowed, creating bottlenecks on major roads. However, commuters argue that the problem goes beyond seasonal issues and highlights deeper concerns related to limited road capacity, encroachments and irregular parking.
Residents say the congestion is not confined to uptown localities such as Chanapora, Natipora and Barzullah. Commuters in Downtown areas report similar delays. Iqra, a resident of the old city, said her routine evening commute took much longer than usual. “While returning home, I was stuck in a traffic jam for about half an hour and reached home close to 8 pm,” she said.
Her account points to a growing pattern, with congestion no longer limited to morning peak hours. After 5 pm, Srinagar’s roads often turn into slow-moving stretches of bumper-to-bumper traffic as office-goers, students, shoppers and transport operators head home. Jahangir Chowk, Rambagh and Chanapora Bridge have emerged as daily choke points.
A resident of Chanapora described how even short distances become exhausting during evening hours. “I left my office at 5 pm and reached home in Chanapora at around 5.50 pm. The traffic was extremely heavy at Rambagh and Jahangir Chowk,” he said. The 40 to 50-minute commute on a stretch that normally takes far less time reflects the intensity of post-office-hour congestion.
Beyond inconvenience and delays, the gridlock is increasingly affecting emergency situations. In one instance, a man transporting his ailing father from Kralapora in a Sumo vehicle was reportedly stuck at the Barzullah link road for nearly 20 minutes. Witnesses said the situation turned chaotic as the patient was in visible pain, highlighting the emotional strain traffic jams are placing on residents. Locals say such incidents are becoming increasingly common during winter.
Commuters attribute the crisis to a combination of structural and behavioural issues. Narrow roads cutting through commercial areas, rising vehicle ownership, roadside encroachments and poor parking discipline are cited as major contributors. At key junctions such as Jahangir Chowk, Rambagh, Hyderpora, Nowgam, Barzullah and Qamarwari, even a slight increase in traffic volume often disrupts the flow.
Residents say the problem intensifies in winter as more people rely on private vehicles due to cold weather, while fewer opt to walk or use two-wheelers. This leads to a sudden increase in cars competing for limited road space.
Despite increased deployment of traffic police personnel, commuters insist that long-term measures are urgently required. Improved public transport, stricter enforcement of no-parking zones, widening of critical road stretches and regulation of roadside commercial activity are among the solutions repeatedly suggested by residents and urban planners.
Many also believe that coordinated traffic signalling could ease congestion at major junctions and bridges where multiple lanes converge. Construction-related diversions, unfinished roadworks and vehicle breakdowns without prompt towing further worsen the situation, they say.
With winter still ahead, residents fear the situation could deteriorate further unless immediate steps are taken. For commuters from areas such as Nowgam, Chanapora, Sanat Nagar, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Bemina, Qamarwari and Downtown, daily travel has become a test of patience. Those with time-bound commitments, including students, office workers and families dealing with medical emergencies, say they are the worst affected.
For Saba, Amaira, Iqra and many others navigating Srinagar’s roads each day, what was once a routine commute has become a daily struggle against worsening traffic congestion. As winter progresses, residents hope authorities will introduce effective and sustainable traffic management measures before gridlock becomes a permanent feature of life in the city.
