Srinagar, Apr 11: Failure of authorities to undertake repairs of dilapidated Gojwara-Hawal Road is causing immense inconvenience to commuters and damages to vehicles.

The problem has been compounded as traffic from Ali Jan Road has been diverted through Hawal leading to traffic mess.

The Gojwara-Hawal Road stretch, dug up months ago for drainage works, continues to remain uneven and caved in at several points. With persistent rainfall over the past few weeks, commuters said the surface turns slushy, making movement difficult and risky. Commuters said the situation has now deteriorated further after traffic was diverted following the closure of the busy Ali Jan Road.

Traffic Police officials said that vehicular movement from Aali Masjid to Soura has been closed from Thursday due to ongoing works on Alijan Road. “Traffic from Sekidafar is being diverted via Hawal, while traffic from Soura to Sakidafar will stay open. Commuters should expect delays, especially during peak hours,” Traffic officials said.

However, locals said diverting traffic onto the already dilapidated Hawal road has compounded the issue. “This road was barely manageable earlier. Now with extra traffic, it has become chaotic. Vehicles are crawling, and jams have become routine,” said Ashiq Ahmad, a commuter from Gojwara.

Commuters said two-wheeler riders and e-rickshaw drivers are the worst hit. “The road is full of depressions and loose gravel. Even a small skid can cause an accident. E-rickshaws lose balance easily here,” said an e-rickshaw driver.

Motorists said the poor condition of the road is taking a toll on their vehicles. “Driving here feels like navigating a broken track. Our vehicles are getting,” said a car owner who frequents the route.

Residents said the stretch is vital as it connects several educational institutions and serves as an important corridor for emergency services heading towards SKIMS Soura.

“Ambulances are getting stuck in traffic due to the bottleneck. This delay can be dangerous in critical situations,” said a local resident of Hawal.

With traffic now being funneled through this route, locals have demanded immediate repairs. “Authorities should not wait any longer. The road has already deteriorated beyond tolerance. With diversions in place, the urgency has doubled,” said Fazil, another commuter.

 When contacted, Executive Engineer R&B, Arif Hazari, said that the department is aware of the issue. “We have taken up the matter with the concerned department, which carried out the drainage work. We want to ensure that no component is left pending before we begin restoration,” he said.

He added that repair works are expected to commence within two weeks. “This stretch will be taken up on priority, and necessary steps will be taken to restore it,” he said.