Srinagar, May 30: Every morning, hundreds of commuters heading towards Srinagar’s eastern outskirts brace themselves for the same struggle — bumper-to-bumper traffic, long queues of vehicles and uncertainty over how long it will take to reach their destination.
ALSO READ: FIR Registered Against Smart City Bus Driver After Viral Rawalpora Incident
For many, the proposed four-laning of Boulevard Road had offered hope of relief. Months after the project was announced and its foundation stone laid, however, there is little sign of work on the ground, leaving residents questioning when the much-publicised road expansion will actually begin.
Stretching along the banks of Dal Lake, Boulevard Road is not only one of Kashmir’s most scenic routes but also among its busiest. The road connects several residential areas with the city centre and serves as the main access route to many of Kashmir’s premier tourist destinations. As traffic continues to grow, commuters say the existing road infrastructure is struggling to cope.
The worst-hit areas remain Dalgate and adjoining stretches, where traffic jams have become a daily reality.
“During peak hours, it takes a lot of time to cross even a short stretch near Dalgate,” said a commuter. “What should be a quick journey turns into a frustrating wait.”
Students travelling from Shalimar and Nishat said the situation has started affecting their daily routines and academic schedules.
“We leave home much earlier than before, but there is still no guarantee of reaching on time,” said a group of students. “Sometimes we take alternate routes, yet we end up stuck in traffic. It has become part of everyday life.”
Office-goers and residents share similar concerns. Many say the road, originally designed to handle far less traffic, now carries thousands of vehicles every day, particularly during the tourist season when the number of visitors to the city surges.
Residents argue that while Boulevard Road is often viewed through the lens of tourism, its importance extends far beyond that. The road serves as a crucial lifeline for thousands of people living in areas such as Brein, Nishat, Shalimar, Harwan, Ishber, Tailbal and New Theed, connecting them with schools, colleges, hospitals, government offices and commercial centres in Srinagar.
The proposed four-laning project was expected to address many of these concerns by widening the road, improving traffic flow and reducing travel time. It was also envisaged as a major boost for connectivity to the Mughal Gardens.
However, despite the announcement and foundation stone-laying ceremony last year, residents say there has been little visible progress, fuelling concerns that the project may remain stuck on paper while traffic conditions continue to deteriorate.
With another busy tourist season underway and vehicle numbers steadily increasing, many commuters believe the need for the project has never been greater.
Responding to public concerns, senior National Conference leader and MLA Khanyar, Ali Mohammad Sagar, said the issue of stalled work on the proposed four-laning of Boulevard Road would be taken up with the concerned authorities.
Describing the project as vital for improving connectivity and reducing traffic pressure in surrounding areas, Sagar assured that efforts would be made to push the matter forward.
ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Government, Says Crores of Students Impacted Due to Exam-Related Troubles
He also said that the demand for the extension of Gousia Hospital would be strongly pursued with the government to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve medical services for people in the constituency.
