Traffic gridlock chokes boulevard road amid tourist surge

Srinagar, Mar 23: A major traffic jam brought movement to a near standstill along Srinagar’s Boulevard Road on Monday, leaving commuters stranded for extended periods and disrupting routine activity, witnesses said.
The congestion was reported along the busy stretch skirting the Dal Lake, where a surge in vehicular movement led to long queues and slow-moving traffic during peak hours.
The situation gained significance as the Boulevard Road remains one of the city’s most frequented routes, catering to both daily commuters and a rising number of tourists.
Officials said traffic flow was affected due to a sharp increase in vehicle volume, particularly in the wake of the seasonal opening of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, which has drawn large crowds in recent days.
Commuters said vehicles remained stuck for long durations, with minimal movement across key points of the stretch.
“We were caught in the jam for a long time with hardly any movement. It was difficult to navigate through the stretch,” said a commuter travelling along the route.
Several commuters pointed to inadequate on-ground traffic regulation, saying the absence of sufficient personnel worsened the situation.
“There was confusion at multiple junctions, and traffic was not being effectively regulated. This stretch needs better management, especially during peak tourist season,” another commuter said.
The congestion also affected movement of essential services, with delays reported in routine travel across the area, residents said.
The Boulevard Road, which connects key tourist spots and public spaces, typically experiences heavy traffic during peak seasons, but Monday’s congestion was described by many as unusually severe. [KNT]