Winter Preparedness proves hoax yet again, Commuters feel irked, say admin in slumber

Sheikh Danish/Sajid Raina

Srinagar, Jan 23: Despite timely prediction of snowfall by Meteorological Department in Kashmir, authorities yet again failed to clear all the roads in most parts of Kashmir following fresh spell of snowfall.

People across the valley had to face huge inconvenience at greater levels as the authorities failed to clear the snow which made the roads slippery.

Massive traffic jams across the city were witnessed today and it took hours for people to reach their destinations.

“Due to slippery conditions, vehicles are unable to ply on the roads, where is administration, where is SMC”, a commuter questioned, while speaking to news agency—KNO.

The residents in Srinagar said that the administration has not been able to clear the snow covered roads yet again, which made the roads slippery causing difficulties for commuters.

Many ambulances were also seen slipping on roads because of snow accumulation which prevented many patients from reaching the hospitals on time.

“Due to slippery conditions, vehicles were unable to ply on the roads, had snow been cleared on time things would have been different, we are not witnessing snow for the first time”, said an irked commuter.

Provincial Administration Kashmir had directed all the officers to stay alert and keep the men and machinery ready to tackle any post snowfall situation in the valley.

Similar reports were received from North Kashmir’s Bandipora district which witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall on Saturday and gave a tough time to commuters and patients as majority of the roads were not cleared of the accumulated snow which continued throughout the day.

According to the locals, the main roads Bandipora-Srinagar road and Sopore-Bandipora road witnessed massive traffic congestion owing to the un-cleared roads of snow.

The inner links of the majority of the villages around town outskirts and even the town itself also remained buried under the snow.

“I got stuck for hours on Bandipora- Sopore road due to accumulated snow as the road was also slippery”, Mohammad Shafi a commuter said.

Angry over missing an important appointment, Shafi said, “The administration showed no concern this time and left us to lurch in cold”.

The same situation was witnessed on Bandipora-Srinagar road with massive traffic congestion stretched to kilometres owing to the slippery condition of the road.

At least two critically ill patients required advanced treatment and had to be shifted to Srinagar in 4X4 vehicles which were kept on standby by the district authorities owing to snowfall predictions.

Apart from the situation on the main roads, the Bandipora district which recorded around 6-7 inches deep snow in pains with higher reaches witnessing more snowfall, gave a tough time to commuters and critically ill patients.

“It took me hours to travel some of the kilometres to the district hospital Bandipora as the inner links to our village were not cleared of snow”, Shahid a local villager said.