Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jan 7: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic City Srinagar, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, on Wednesday said the department is working with a planned strategy to streamline vehicular movement and address key bottlenecks in the city.
He said the drives are aimed at easing congestion and ensuring smooth traffic flow, with officials continuously monitoring peak-hour movement and public adherence to road rules.
The SSP said the department has adopted a comprehensive plan to tackle persistent issues ranging from illegal parking and street vending to violations of road discipline, but stressed that public cooperation remains essential for a lasting solution.
“We have come here during evening peak time to gauge how much improvement has taken place and how many people are following traffic rules. We feel people have become more observant and there is visible improvement—but it will take continued effort,” Bhat said.
The officer said the department’s enforcement teams are focusing on clearing road obstructions and maintaining pedestrian pathways.
“You saw yesterday, we also went to Batamaloo and Babademb. Even today, we removed some vendors who had set up again. This action will continue wherever footpaths are occupied, or shopkeepers park their vehicles and block the normal flow of traffic,” he said.
SSP Bhat said the challenges built up over the years cannot be resolved overnight. “The damage that has occurred in traffic management will not be fixed in a day or two; it will take time. Our staff is ensuring that movement improves sector by sector,” he added.
Bhat said his team assessed an experimental opening of one intersection to test traffic response. “We tried to open this intersection but found that congestion increased. So, we closed it again. Sometimes people feel a certain intervention will improve the situation, but when we see the ground impact, it doesn’t always work that way,” he explained.
Appealing to the public for cooperation, the SSP said that citizens, especially youth, have been coming forward with feedback. “The public here is sensitive and cooperative. Many young people approach us with suggestions, and we consider their advice seriously. We try to implement the practical ones,” he said.
It is worth mentioning that in recent weeks, Srinagar’s Traffic Police have conducted consistent enforcement and awareness campaigns under the ongoing ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’ initiative launched earlier this month to mark Road Safety Month.
During the rally’s flag-off, SSP Bhat underscored the need for responsible driving and respect for traffic laws.
