Srinagar decked up for 8th Muharram procession; security grid, traffic plan in place

Srinagar, Jun 23: Srinagar City has been decked up for the 8th Muharram procession scheduled for Wednesday, with black flags, banners and religious insignia adorning several parts as authorities completed extensive preparations for the major religious event.
The administration has intensified security measures, finalised civic arrangements and shared a comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the traditional procession.
The 8th Muharram procession will be taken out along the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M.A. Road, passing through the heart of the city amid elaborate arrangements put in place by the civil and police administration.
Officials said a coordinated mechanism involving civil and police authorities has been established to facilitate the smooth conduct of processions while ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order. Senior officers from various departments, including police, health, municipal services, fire and emergency services, power development, water supply and other essential services, have been assigned specific responsibilities.
The administration has undertaken extensive measures, including route management, deployment of adequate security personnel, traffic regulation, sanitation drives, uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply, emergency medical facilities, installation of control rooms and round-the-clock monitoring of arrangements.
The officers have been directed to maintain close liaison with Muharram committees, religious organisations, community representatives and volunteers to facilitate the smooth conduct of processions and religious gatherings.
The District Magistrate Srinagar has also granted permission to the Yaadgari Hussaini Committee, Guru Bazar, for taking out the traditional 8th Muharram procession on June 24 (tomorrow).
As per the permission order accessed by KNO, the procession will commence from Guru Bazar at 6:00 am and proceed through Budshah Kadal and M.A. Road towards Dalgate. “The tail of the procession is expected to cross Jehangir Chowk at 7:00 am and reach J&K Bank Headquarters on M.A. Road at around 8:30 am,” it reads.
The administration has imposed several conditions for the procession. Only one side of M.A. Road will be used by mourners while the other carriageway will remain available for emergency service vehicles. Organisers have been directed to ensure that the procession concludes within the prescribed time frame and that participants adhere strictly to approved programmes and routes.
The order also prohibits anti-national or anti-administration speeches, provocative sloganeering and any activity that could affect communal harmony or disturb public order. Display of photographs of terrorists, symbols or flags of banned organisations has been strictly barred. Organisers have also been asked to ensure full cooperation with police and security agencies, prevent damage to public property and make available first-aid facilities in coordination with concerned departments.
The use of drones during the procession has been completely prohibited, while the use of loudspeakers and sound systems will be regulated in accordance with the prescribed rules.
Srinagar Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory announcing restrictions and diversions on major roads leading to and around the procession route from 5:00 am till the culmination of the event.
According to the advisory, traffic movement from Karan Nagar towards Jehangir Chowk via Shaheed Gunj and Tankipora will remain suspended from 5:00 am to 8:00 am. Similarly, traffic movement on the Jehangir Chowk-M.A. Road-Dalgate-Badyari stretch will remain restricted during the procession.
Traffic coming from Batamaloo, Secretariat, and Rambagh towards M.A. Road will be diverted via Hari Singh High Street and Residency Road. Vehicles from Rainawari and Nowpora will be diverted at Mamta Hotel towards SRTC Bridge, Barbarshah, Kralkhud, Habba Kadal and Karan Nagar.
Traffic from Khanyar and Ikhwan Chowk will be diverted at SRTC Bridge towards Barbarshah, Kralkhud, Habba Kadal and Karan Nagar, while motorists from Nishat, Shalimar and adjoining areas have been advised to use Boulevard Road, Gupkar Road, Radio Kashmir Road and Abdullah Bridge for onward travel.
Vehicles coming from Pantha Chowk and Sonwar will be diverted at Radio Kashmir towards Residency Road and Abdullah Bridge. Tourists and residents in and around Nehru Park have been advised to use Gupkar Road, Nishat and Foreshore Road during the procession hours.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to avoid unnecessary movement from Karan Nagar to Dalgate via M.A. Road on Wednesday to prevent inconvenience and ensure the smooth conduct of the religious event.
For the convenience of mourners, designated parking facilities have been arranged at S.P. College Ground, Gindun Park, Batamaloo Bus Stand and Coloured Park.
Authorities have also established vehicle cut-off points at Jehangir Chowk, Gaw Kadal, Mamta Crossing, Aziz Bridge and Ikhwan Chowk, beyond which no vehicular movement will be permitted during the procession.
The administration has appealed to mourners and the general public to strictly follow the advisories and guidelines issued by district authorities and police, adhere to prescribed routes and timings, observe all safety protocols and extend full cooperation to ensure the peaceful and smooth observance of Muharram. (KNO)