Critical Patients, Retired Officers, Traders Slam Mismanagement; Demand Strict Single-Lane Regulation
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar: DD, Massive traffic jams along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) have left commuters in distress, with journeys that normally take just four hours now dragging on for 12-14 hours, sparking outrage from passengers, patients, and senior citizens alike.
Several passengers told news agency Kashmir News Corner (KNC) that the highway journey has turned into a daily nightmare.
“It took me almost the entire day to reach Jammu, which otherwise takes only 4-5 hours. Double-lane driving, lack of regulation, and no strict enforcement are making things worse by the day,” one traveler said.
A senior retired KAS officer, who was also caught in the gridlock, expressed anger over what he called a collapse of management. “This chaos is unacceptable. Authorities must strictly enforce single-lane movement at least three disciplined lines otherwise the situation will never improve. Advisories alone are useless,” he said.
Another commuter from Anantnag said his relatives were stuck for over five hours near Udhampur. “The double lining of vehicles is unbearable. Even toll plazas are jam-packed, adding to delays and frustration,” he said.
Concerns are growing for patients who rely on the highway to reach hospitals outside J&K. Families traveling for treatment of cancer, tumors, and other critical illnesses say the situation has become life-threatening.
“Patients traveling outside the state for treatment cannot afford to be trapped for 12-14 hours on the road. This is not just an inconvenience, it’s endangering lives,” a passenger said.
Traffic Police Headquarters attributed the chaos to single-lane stretches at Tharad, Balinalla, and Dewal, the breakdown of heavy vehicles, and the movement of nomadic flocks. Officials said overtaking and wrong-lane driving were further worsening congestion.
But passengers insisted the problem lay in enforcement. “Every day the same excuse is given—single lane, breakdown, flocks. The fact is there is no strict regulation. If authorities can’t control this lifeline road, what can people expect? Thousands are suffering daily,” a trader from South Kashmir told KNC.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel on NH-44 and to strictly follow lane discipline. For Monday, only one-way traffic for LMVs has been permitted from Jammu towards Srinagar, subject to fair weather conditions. (KNC)
