Baramulla, Jan 7: Residents of this north Kashmir town have urged the authorities to install traffic signals and road dividers to curb the frequent traffic jams in the area.
 "The need of the hour is to install traffic signal system at least at  identified junctions and  introduce  road dividers, these measures will streamline the traffic movement to a great extent," said Farooq Ahmad, a shopkeeper.
 Locals believe that the mushroom growth of street vendors, wrong parking and parking of commercial vehicles like Sumos on Tehsil road and at the Cement Bridge indicate that district administration is not serious to address the issues pertaining to common people.
 "Wrong parking of the vehicles especially, Sumos, has affected the overall traffic system in the town. Vendors occupy main portion of the road, even pedestrians find it difficult to walk safely," said Bashir Ahmad.
 Surprisingly, the Cement Bridge which connects Baramulla uptown with the old town and is also the main link connecting Rafiabad and district Kupwara with Baramulla town has been converted into a Sumo stand, where from scores of Sumos ferry passengers to Kupwara and Rafiabad areas.
 Locals urged the authorities to allow the district administration to make Court Road functional for the traffic movement. “If traffic is allowed to move on the Court Road it would ease the traffic rush and it can be pivotal in streamlining the traffic movement in the town,” they added.
 "If Court Road is thrown open for traffic movement it will ease pressure in the town. All kinds of vehicles moving from Baramulla town towards Srinagar should be allowed to pass through the Court Road and similarly vehicles coming from Srinagar towards Baramulla should be allowed to pass through the highway at Kantbagh. This way traffic movement can be well managed,” said Muhammad Syed, a resident.

Reports Compiled by
ALTAF BABA

Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST