Onlykashmir.in-Behind The News
The lanes and streets of Srinagar’s Old City, once symbols of culture, tradition, and the flow of daily life, are now grappling with a serious problem of illegal and chaotic roadside parking.
Areas like Nowhatta, Gojwara, Nallahmar Road, and Zaina Kadal have become particularly affected, and roads have effectively become permanent parking spaces.
Zaina Kadal Bridge, an important thoroughfare, had already become a parking zone during the day, but now, vehicles remain lined up even at night, turning the public route into what resembles a private garage.
This situation is not only causing severe traffic disruptions but is also affecting every aspect of civic life. Ambulances are delayed in transporting patients, schoolchildren struggle to reach on time, commercial activity is disrupted, and local residents face daily inconvenience just to move around. Many people, for their convenience, leave vehicles along the roadside.
Shopkeepers park in front of their stores to claim space, and some individuals have even turned these streets into personal revenue sources by informally renting parking spots.
The silence of the administration and its token actions have only worsened the disorder. Though laws exist, enforcement is nearly nonexistent, leading to growing public frustration. People are now questioning: Who owns these streets? Are they the property of a few selfish individuals, or were they built for the collective convenience of all?
This issue is not just about parking; it reflects a deeper lack of civic awareness, discipline, and public responsibility. Roads are meant to facilitate movement. If they become permanent parking hubs, urban life comes to a standstill. Mere criticism or short-term crackdowns won’t fix this. Without consistent and serious planning, this chaos cannot end. What’s needed is strict enforcement of traffic rules, public awareness campaigns, and protection of public spaces from private misuse.
For a city as historic and culturally rich as Srinagar, this situation is nothing short of tragic. If roads remain blocked, if bridges and pathways continue to turn into parking zones, the city will not only lose its identity but its basic functionality. The time has come to think collectively, raise awareness, and take firm yet constructive steps to restore order, because roads are meant for travel, not for parking.
