Baramulla, Oct 3: The Baramulla district administration has announced a new traffic management plan to ease persistent congestion in the town, with passenger vehicle stands to be shifted and a major commercial stretch proposed as a one-way corridor from Oct. 5.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid has directed implementation of the plan to address congestion caused by the unregulated movement of taxis, Sumos, minibuses and microvans, unscheduled passenger stoppages, roadside parking and encroachments on roads and footpaths.
Under the new plan, minibuses operating towards Kreeri and Sopore will shift from the Truck Yard/Sumo Stand at Khanpora to the General Bus Stand, Baramulla.
Minibuses plying towards Kalaibun and Malpora-Dangerpora will operate from the Khanpora Stand instead of the General Bus Stand.
Sumo services for Handwara, Kupwara and Watergam via Azad Gunj Road will be shifted from the Sumo Stand at Kokarbazar to the Azad Gunj Mini Bus Stand.
A site near Hanfia Model School in Azad Gunj has been designated for microvans, including Tata Magic and similar passenger vehicles, which have been operating from multiple unauthorised locations across the town.
The administration has made it mandatory for passenger vehicles to board and drop commuters only at designated stands and pick-and-drop points. Stoppages at other locations along the National Highway within town limits will be prohibited.
Six designated pick-and-drop points have been identified near the Government Girls Higher Secondary School and SBI, in front of Cariappa Park near the Clock Tower, near GMC Baramulla, at Kanthbagh near Akbar Chowk, at Khawajabagh near the I&FC office and near Government Degree College.
Several spaces have also been earmarked for public parking, including behind the Cooperative Office, in front of Government Women’s College, near the Fire and Emergency Services office and near the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Office.
Paid parking will be introduced along the Bindas Chowk-Main Chowk-Farooqi Point stretch after the removal of existing concrete medians.
Following removal of the medians, the stretch will function as a one-way corridor, with traffic allowed to enter only from the Bindas Chowk side.
Trucks, tippers and other heavy vehicles operating from the Khanpora Truck Yard will be shifted to a designated truck yard at Veerwan.
The administration has directed transport operators and drivers to shift their operations to the designated locations.
The ARTO Baramulla has been directed to verify permits, registration and fitness of microvans before allowing them to operate from the designated point.
The Municipal Council has been directed to install prominent signage, while the ARTO and Traffic Police have been tasked with enforcing the new traffic arrangements.
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