Baramulla, Sopore face mounting pressure from poor urban planning

Baramulla, Apr 19: A new traffic plan rolled out in the twin towns of Baramulla and Sopore to streamline movement and ease congestion has brought temporary relief in parts, but also sparked a wider debate on gaps in urban governance and planning.

While the initiative has been largely welcomed, stakeholders say it has also exposed deeper structural issues, including unmanaged street vending, unregulated public transport and the absence of a comprehensive urban mobility framework.

With implementation underway, authorities now face the challenge of rehabilitating street vendors accused of encroaching on roads and pavements. Official figures show that Baramulla town has around 420 registered vendors, while hundreds more operate without registration, pointing to gaps in regulation. In Sopore, the number of vendors—both registered and unregistered—runs into the thousands.

A proposed solution in the form of a dedicated “vendor hub” has yet to take shape. The Baramulla district administration had earlier identified a site for the facility, but the plan has not been implemented on the ground.

“With the growing number of street vendors outnumbering shopkeepers, the authorities have failed to establish a vendor hub. Had there been timely action, the situation would not have become so difficult,” said Arshad Ahmad, a local resident.

Recent eviction drives have added to uncertainty among vendors, many of whom depend on street trade for their livelihood, without offering a clear or sustainable alternative.

Residents say the issue goes beyond vending and reflects a broader lack of planning. They argue that policies governing urban expansion have not kept pace with the rapid growth of these towns.

Civil society members also point to the increasing number of e-autos and sumo vehicles operating without designated stands. “Hundreds of e-autos have been allowed to operate in the towns, but there is no designated space or stand for them. They end up occupying roads and streets, leading to congestion. The same is the case with sumo vehicles, with illegal stands visible across the towns,” said Manzoor Ahmad.

He added that issuing permits without assessing ground realities has worsened the situation and called for a review of transport policies.

“Why blame vendors alone?” asked another resident, Shoaib, reflecting a sentiment shared by many. Residents say policy decisions are often taken in isolation, without integrating traffic management, vending regulation and public transport planning.

The absence of designated stands, weak enforcement and poor route planning have effectively turned several roads into informal parking zones and congested transit corridors.

Locals say that unless a coordinated and long-term strategy is adopted—one that addresses traffic flow, vendor management and public transport—the situation is likely to deteriorate further, despite short-term measures.