Srinagar, Nov 29:
The Chamber of Commerce & Industry Kashmir (CCIK) on Thursday met the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir along with senior officials from Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Traffic Police to push for urgent civic and traffic reforms in Srinagar ahead of winter.
During the meeting, CCIK expressed serious concern over the growing traffic congestion across the summer capital. The body urged the administration to remove key bottlenecks, ensure maximum deployment of Traffic Police personnel, and streamline traffic management before winter weather further complicates mobility.
With snowfall expected soon, CCIK also called for stationing firefighters at critical points in the city to enable rapid response to emergencies. The chamber urged the Health Department to ensure 24×7 availability of senior resident doctors in hospitals during the harsh winter months.
The trade body additionally stressed the need to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities, warning that logistical delays during snowfall could create shortages.
Call for Revival of Kashmir Haat
CCIK pressed the Divisional Commissioner and SMC Commissioner to revive the long-defunct Kashmir Haat, calling it a crucial platform for artisans, startups, and small manufacturers.
The chamber said that if the administration is unable to operationalize the facility, it should be outsourced to CCIK so that exhibitions and craft showcases can be organized regularly.
Parking Crisis in Downtown Srinagar
Highlighting Downtown Srinagar’s emergence as a major shopping hub, CCIK urged the administration to identify and develop dedicated parking spaces in the area.
The chamber said that despite some road widening works, the severe shortage of parking continues to cause congestion and inconvenience to traders and shoppers alike.
CCIK also requested the deployment of additional Traffic Police personnel in the area and appealed to business owners to keep pedestrian pathways free to ensure smooth public movement.
Awards of Excellence Presented
At the end of the meeting, CCIK presented Awards of Excellence to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the SMC Commissioner, and the SSP Traffic Srinagar for their services and contributions to public welfare and civic administration.
