Excerpt from the book ‘Our Latest Concerns Vol. 03’ by Er Ashraf Fazili, published on Amazon
In light of the increasing number of road accidents in Srinagar, the following are key recommendations for improving the traffic scenario in the city:
- Establish a Traffic Engineering Cell: A dedicated unit should be created to study, analyse, design, and suggest practical solutions to traffic challenges in Srinagar.
- Improve Road Geometry: Existing roads should be widened at strategic locations according to proper design standards.
- Develop Ring Roads: Ring roads with three to four-lane widths on each side should be developed around the city, equipped with well-designed crossings.
- Construct Lay-byes for Bus Stops: Fixed bus stops must have lay-byes, and bus drivers should stop only at these designated points. Boarding or de-boarding in between should be strictly prohibited.
- Reactivate Traffic Signals: All non-functional traffic lights must be repaired and maintained regularly.
- Install CCTV Surveillance: Cameras should be installed at strategic points to monitor violations. Fines should be deducted automatically from violators’ bank accounts.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Residents must be educated about traffic rules, especially pedestrians, to avoid risks in mixed traffic zones.
- Follow IRC Specifications for Footpaths: For example, the footpath height on the 90-ft, 4-lane corridor is around 2 feet, far above the IRC standard of 9 inches.
- Prominent Road Signs: Destination signs and route markers should be displayed clearly, as is the practice in Gulf countries.
- Shade and Accessibility on Footpaths: Shady trees should be planted and slopes provided at crossings to encourage comfortable walking.
- Clear Footpath Encroachments: Vendors encroaching on footpaths in areas like Hari Singh High Street and near SKIMS must be relocated.
- Ban Unauthorised Car Parking: Car dealers illegally park vehicles for sale on unused footpaths like those on the 90-ft road—this must be addressed.
- Install Pedestrian Crossing Signals: Pedestrian crossings should have signal systems. Overhead bridges, like the one at Women’s College, are now underutilised.
- Utilise the Skew Bridge: The underutilised Rs 12 crore skew bridge over River Jhelum should be re-decked and opened for vehicular traffic.
- Enforce Truck Movement Ban: Despite daytime bans, tippers are observed speeding through internal roads—strict enforcement is needed.
- Reschedule Waste Collection: SMC trucks lifting garbage during peak hours cause jams. The task should be shifted to nighttime.
- Regulate Roadside Parking: Unauthorised parking on both sides of city roads causes severe congestion and must be curtailed.
- Inland Water Transport: Mechanised transport on River Jhelum and other water bodies, as proposed in the DPR by M/S RITES (1998–99), should be implemented for decongestion and tourism promotion.
- Complete the Urban Renewal Scheme: The Circular Road Project under the Urban Renewal Scheme needs urgent completion.
- Restrict Vehicle Permits: Vehicle permits should be limited based on the city’s available road space.
- Build Multi-storey Parking Lots: These must be constructed to accommodate increasing daily demand.
- Enforce Parking in Malls: Shopping malls must be compelled to follow the building rule of providing basement parking, currently being widely violated.
- Control Reckless Driving: Youths riding bikes at dangerous speeds should be penalised to prevent accidents.
- Repair Damaged Roads: Winter has left city roads heavily damaged, affecting traffic safety. Immediate restoration is needed.
- Establish Driving Institutes: Professional training centres should be set up, and licenses should be issued only after certified testing.
The writer is a former Chief Engineer, PWD and former Chairman, Institution of Engineers (India), J&K State Centre
Er Ashraf Fazili
sh*************@***il.com