Rising KashmirRising KashmirRising Kashmir
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • Kashmir
    • City
    • Jammu
    • Politics
  • National
  • Health
  • Anchor
  • Features
  • Interview
  • Video
  • Sports
Search

Archives

  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022

Categories

  • Anchor
  • Breaking
  • Business
  • City
  • Developing Story
  • Editorial
  • Education
  • Features
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Jammu
  • Jammu and Kashmir News
  • Kashmir
  • Kashmir Tourism
  • Kath Bath
  • National
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • SEO
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Top Stories
  • Trending
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Viewpoint
  • World
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Encroachments overrun Srinagar’s dedicated cycle tracks
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Rising KashmirRising Kashmir
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • National
  • Health
  • Anchor
  • Features
  • Interview
  • Video
  • Sports
Search
  • Top Stories
    • Developing Story
    • Anchor
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Editorial
    • Education
    • Features
    • Health
    • Interview
  • More
    • National
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Technology
    • Sports
    • Trending
    • World
  • Kashmir
    • City
    • Jammu
    • Jammu and Kashmir News
    • Kashmir Tourism
    • Kath Bath
    • Video
    • Viewpoint
Follow US
© 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Rising Kashmir > Blog > City > Encroachments overrun Srinagar’s dedicated cycle tracks
City

Encroachments overrun Srinagar’s dedicated cycle tracks

Cyclists struggle to navigate blocked pathways, demand action against encroachers

M Haziq Pandit
Last updated: August 7, 2025 12:28 am
M Haziq Pandit
Published: August 7, 2025
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Srinagar, Aug 06: The much-publicised dedicated cycle tracks developed under the Smart City project across Srinagar are increasingly losing their purpose as encroachments have effectively rendered them unusable. Aimed at promoting eco-friendly transportation and reducing traffic congestion, the initiative has fallen short as street vendors and parked vehicles occupy large sections of the tracks, making them nearly impossible for cyclists to use.Laid strategically across high-footfall and scenic areas such as Foreshore Road by Dal Lake and the bustling city centre of Lal Chowk, the tracks were meant to provide safe and convenient routes for cyclists. Instead, they are now blocked by food carts, ice cream vendors, vegetable stalls, and even parked vehicles. This forces cyclists to shift onto busy roads or footpaths to avoid the obstructions, defeating the tracks’ purpose and posing a significant safety risk for all road users.Cycling enthusiasts, who initially welcomed the project, are growing frustrated over the failure to maintain and protect the tracks. “I was excited when I first saw the cycle tracks being developed, thinking they would finally give cyclists a proper space in Srinagar. But unfortunately, they have been overtaken by vendors and carts, making them useless. It really defeats the entire purpose,” said Mehraj Malik, an avid cyclist from Karan Nagar.Mehraj’s sentiment is echoed by others who regularly use the tracks. “When I ride along Foreshore Road, I often have to stop multiple times because the track is blocked. There are points where I have no choice but to ride on the road, putting myself in danger. The tracks were supposed to be a safe space for us, but they are practically non-existent now,” said Momin Beigh, another cyclist.Many cyclists also expressed concern over the lack of civic responsibility, with pedestrians often using the cycle tracks despite footpaths being nearby. “It’s not just about infrastructure; it’s about how people use it. Many pedestrians use the cycle tracks as well, even though the footpaths are right next to them. It’s disheartening to see that these facilities are being misused, as it completely undermines the government’s efforts,” said Faizan Qureshi, a cyclist from Gogji Bagh.Adding to the woes, cyclists mentioned that footpaths adjacent to the cycle tracks have become informal parking zones, with vehicles parked haphazardly along the walkways. The encroachment on both tracks and footpaths is causing serious inconvenience not only to cyclists but also to pedestrians. “It’s frustrating to see vehicles blocking both the cycle tracks and footpaths. We cyclists are forced into risky traffic, while pedestrians struggle to find space to walk safely. This lack of order is turning what should be a simple commute into a daily challenge,” said Omar Wani, a regular cyclist. Responding to these concerns, a senior SMC official, requesting anonymity, acknowledged the problem but assured that steps are being taken to address it. “The department has stepped up its anti-encroachment operations across the city with the aim of clearing public pathways and restoring public spaces, including cycle tracks.” The official further explained that efforts are underway to restore the tracks to their intended purpose. “We understand the concerns of cyclists and pedestrians. We are working to clear the encroachments and ensure that these public spaces serve their intended purpose. We have issued formal notices to all violators and given them time to remove their encroachments voluntarily. Our aim is not to harm anyone’s livelihood but to ensure that city infrastructure works for everyone, especially the common citizens who face daily hardships due to blocked footpaths and narrowed roads,” the official said. As authorities work to clear the encroachments, locals remain hopeful that the cycle tracks will once again serve their intended purpose. Until then, cyclists and pedestrians will remain burdened by these challenges.

CM inaugurates ‘Almond Bloom’ festival at Srinagar’s Badamwari
Additional Director, JKST&IC visits SP College; Inspects Hydrobiology Research Lab
Tariq Ganai oversees ongoing cleaning, fumigation activities at Civil Secretariat
DC Srinagar reviews preparation for G-20 Summit
Deputy Mayor SMC Parvaiz Qadri visits different areas of Srinagar

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Copy Link Print
Previous Article Special Lok-Adalat on traffic challans & other civil cases on Aug 23
Next Article Kashmir LPG distributor association calls on Satish Sharma
Leave a Comment Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

1MFollowersLike
262kFollowersFollow
InstagramFollow
234kSubscribersSubscribe
Google NewsFollow

Latest News

We welcome statehood demand but CM must prioritise restoration of Art 370 & 35A: PDP
Politics
August 7, 2025
Two pastoral nomads killed, two injured in stone-slide in Kulgam upper reaches
Kashmir
August 7, 2025
Time to root out organised crime, mafia in J&K: DGP
Kashmir
August 7, 2025
DSEJ orders verification of employee attendance before salary disbursement
Jammu
August 7, 2025

Recent Posts

  • We welcome statehood demand but CM must prioritise restoration of Art 370 & 35A: PDP
  • Two pastoral nomads killed, two injured in stone-slide in Kulgam upper reaches
  • Time to root out organised crime, mafia in J&K: DGP
  • DSEJ orders verification of employee attendance before salary disbursement
  • Monsoon season: Surge in patients at Jammu’s major hospitals

Recent Comments

  1. Raja Mani Khan on Minor Girl Dies in J&K’s Poonch Landslide
  2. Raja Mani Khan on Srinagar: People gather in big numbers to participate in Muharram procession
  3. Shah on Relief for Employees: J&K Bank Fixes EMI-Credit Mismatch, says JK Bank Chairman
  4. Latif khan on Why Kashmir needs Stronger Private Healthcare and Health Insurance
  5. Sameer farooq mir on Qazi Irfan assumes charge as RTO Kashmir

Contact Us

Flat No 7,Press Enclave, Srinagar, 190001
0194 2477887
9971795706
[email protected]
[email protected]

Quick Link

  • E-Paper
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Top Categories

Stay Connected

1.06MLike
262.5kFollow
InstagramFollow
234.3kSubscribe
WhatsAppFollow
Rising KashmirRising Kashmir
Follow US
© 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?