Traffic chaos outside GMC Baramulla hampers emergency movement

Baramulla, May 4: Persistent traffic congestion on the approach road of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla is causing serious hurdles for the smooth movement of vehicles, including ambulances.

The congestion is causing severe inconveniences to those rushing to the hospital, hindering the smooth flow of ambulances, and endangering the lives of patients. With no action from the government, the traffic congestion at the spot has become order of the day, raising serious concerns among patients and attendants.

The hospital road, which is already narrow, is frequently blocked due to wrong parking along both sides. Locals said that vehicles are often left unattended, leaving little space for emergency passage. Besides this, roadside vendors have occupied parts of the road, further reducing the available space for traffic. Adding to the concern, locals claim that not a single policeman is deployed on this crucial stretch to regulate traffic, despite the constant rush and the sensitive nature of the location. On Monday, an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient was reportedly stuck for several minutes due to congestion outside the hospital. Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that despite the siren, the vehicle struggled to pass through the crowded stretch. “This road is not an ordinary road; it is directly linked to saving lives. Even a delay of a few minutes can prove critical,” said an attendant at the hospital.

Residents and visitors expressed concern over the lack of effective traffic management in the area. They urged the district administration to take immediate steps to regulate parking, remove encroachments, and ensure proper deployment of traffic personnel to facilitate smooth movement, especially for emergency vehicles. This newspaper has carried a series of news reports about the issue but the traffic congestion persists in the stretch, giving tough time to the patients and attendants.

Earlier, the district administration launched an anti encroachment drive on the stretch, but the initiative was short-lived following which the narrow stretch is again being used by visitors for parking their cars. The approach road to the GMC at Kanth Bagh Baramulla has turned into a nightmare for patients and emergency services due to the rampant illegal parking of vehicles. The problem extends beyond inconvenience as it poses a significant threat to emergency cases, especially when ambulances struggle to navigate through the narrow lanes due to the parked vehicles.