Mir Arif
Baramulla, October 11 (KSNN): Commuters suffer a lot as the almost perennially plying army convoys in north Kashmir lead to ubiquitous traffic jams for hours on daily basis.While the authorities are grappling with the frequent traffic jams and are looking for alternatives, the huge convoys of Indian army in north Kashmir have added to the woes of people and compelled commuters in north Kashmir’s Baramulla to avoid traveling in different directions during the peak hours.
“It is nightmare to travel on Rafiabad-Baramulla highway. The army convoys lead to frequent traffic jams,” said a student Junaid Ahmad Khan.
Mushtaq, an employee of the Revenue Department has to reach his office at 10 a.m. The frequent traffic jams compel Mushtaq to leave for office at 7.30 a.m as the convoys choke the highway leaving little space for residents.
“Even after leaving for office at 7.30 I often reach office late. The army convoy moves at snail’s pace leading to frequent traffic jams,” says Mushtaq.
Residents of north Kashmir are particularly grappling with the menace as army men in morning and evening halt all kind of vehicular traffic for hours to ensure safe passage for their convoys. The residents accuse that the district administration is not paying any attention towards this issue.
“I brought the issue in the notice of senior officials of district Baramulla but they are not serious about the solution to this problem,” says Mushtaq .