Muneeb Abbasi
Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is a city known for its breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty. However, behind this charm lies one of the city’s most pressing problems traffic congestion. With the growing population, rapid urbanization, and increasing number of vehicles, the city’s roads are struggling to keep pace with modern transportation needs.
One of the key issues is the narrow road infrastructure. Muzaffarabad’s streets were originally designed for a smaller population and fewer vehicles. Today, with thousands of cars, motorcycles, and public transport vehicles, these roads face daily gridlocks, especially during office hours and at central points like Domel, Chattar, and Upper Adda.
Another factor contributing to traffic problems is the lack of proper parking facilities. In most commercial areas, vehicles are parked haphazardly, reducing road space and causing unnecessary jams. The absence of multi-story parking plazas or organized parking zones further complicates the situation.
Equally important is the issue of traffic management. While traffic police are present, limited manpower and resources make it difficult to regulate the ever-growing flow of vehicles. At times, reckless driving, violation of traffic rules, and over-speeding by local transport drivers worsen the conditions.
Moreover, public transport inefficiency adds to the crisis. Without a modern bus or shuttle system, people rely heavily on personal vehicles or local vans, which not only increases congestion but also contributes to pollution and noise in the city.
To address these issues, authorities must take long-term planning steps. Expanding road networks, constructing bypasses, and introducing modern traffic signals can significantly improve flow. Encouraging the use of public transport through reliable services, as well as building parking plazas in commercial hubs, can reduce the burden on roads. Alongside this, awareness campaigns about road discipline and strict implementation of traffic rules are vital.
Muzaffarabad has the potential to become a model city of Azad Kashmir, but this is only possible if its traffic challenges are resolved with sustainable urban planning. A city’s beauty does not lie only in its mountains and rivers, but also in how smoothly its people can move through it.
