Srinagar, March 1: Srinagar’s persistent parking shortage continues to exacerbate traffic congestion, frustrating commuters, residents, and business owners alike. As the number of vehicles surge, the lack of designated parking spaces has turned city centre areas and historic marketplaces into gridlocked zones, severely affecting daily life and trade.
With scarce parking options, vehicle owners are forced to park along narrow roads, worsening congestion. The worst-affected areas include Lal Chowk, Maharaj Gunj, Bohri Kadal, Nowhatta, and Zaina Kadal, while even tourist hotspots like Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens struggle with parking shortages, leaving both locals and visitors stranded in traffic bottlenecks.
For many residents, the daily hunt for a parking space has become an exhausting ordeal. “Parking is a nightmare. I often have to leave my car far from my destination, which adds to my travel time and becomes particularly difficult in bad weather,” said Ali Mohammad, a resident of Nowhatta.
Similarly, Tabassum Lone from Zaina Kadal lamented: “We waste so much time searching for a spot. The designated parking areas are usually full, forcing us into no-parking zones where we risk hefty fines.” The parking crunch is also impacting businesses, with traders reporting a decline in footfall. Mohammad Yaseen, a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk, noted: “Customers avoid shopping in areas with parking issues. They prefer malls or markets where they can park easily, which is hurting our sales.”
Abdul Hamid, a vendor in Maharaj Gunj, echoed similar concerns: “Many of our regular customers have stopped coming because they don’t want to deal with parking problems. Our livelihoods are suffering.” Local trade associations have repeatedly urged the authorities to address the crisis before it further cripples Srinagar’s economy. Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) President Aijaz Shahdhar warned: “Without proper parking facilities, businesses will continue to struggle. We urge the authorities to take immediate action.”
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) President Haji Mohammad Sadiq Baqal stressed the need for long-term solutions, particularly multi-level parking structures. “Srinagar lacks sufficient parking, especially near commercial hubs. This discourages shoppers from visiting busy markets, affecting local businesses. Authorities must prioritise multi-level parking infrastructure to ease congestion and improve accessibility,” he said. To gauge the official stance, Rising Kashmir reached out to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA). A senior SMC official admitted: “Parking remains a major challenge, particularly in older parts of the city. We are working to identify additional parking spaces, but Downtown presents unique difficulties due to high population density and limited available land.” An SDA official acknowledged the problem but offered little hope for a quick resolution: “With the rising number of vehicles, parking challenges are increasing. While we recognise the need for more facilities, there are currently no immediate plans for multi-level parking structures.”
Meanwhile, an SSCL official highlighted ongoing efforts to optimise existing parking areas: “Our focus is on improving efficiency within the Smart City zones. We have identified additional locations and plan to develop them soon.” While authorities claim to be working on solutions, residents and business owners remain sceptical. Until concrete measures are implemented, Srinagar’s parking woes will continue to impact daily life, fuel traffic congestion, and put commercial activity at risk.
