Srinagar, Jan 3: The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) accused civic and traffic authorities of turning Srinagar’s commercial hubs into congestion traps through poor planning and unregulated parking, even as traders raised serious concerns over arbitrary shop tax assessments and alleged apathy of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
A statement issued here said that continuing its phase-wise consultative process with the business community, KTMF held another round of meetings with Srinagar-based market heads, reaffirming its resolve to give voice to every segment of the city’s business ecosystem.
The meeting was chaired by KTMF President Mohammad Yaseen Khan, who informed that the Federation represents around 225 affiliated local bazar committees across Srinagar. The present round of meetings was convened to include market representatives who could not participate in the earlier phase due to space constraints.
Traders expressed alarming concerns regarding traffic mismanagement at multiple bottlenecks across Srinagar, stating that it has crippled accessibility to markets, discouraged customers, and directly contributed to declining footfall.
Participants stated that instead of facilitating smooth movement around commercial hubs, poor planning and unregulated parking have turned vital market areas into congestion zones, severely impacting business.
“During the meeting, traders also expressed strong resentment over the functioning of the SMC, alleging a lack of transparency, selective enforcement, and arbitrary actions that have created uncertainty and fear among shopkeepers. Serious objections were raised over shop tax-related issues, with traders demanding clarity, rationalisation, and an end to ad hoc assessments that burden already stressed businesses,” the statement said.
Traders unanimously held that the absence of coordination among civic, traffic, and administrative departments has resulted in systematic neglect of established markets, pushing legitimate businesses towards distress while unresolved issues continue to pile up.
After detailed deliberations, KTMF resolved to formally consolidate all issues raised during the successive phases of meetings and take them up with the Divisional and District Administration, seeking urgent, concrete, and time-bound intervention.
KTMF made it clear that continued inaction will no longer be acceptable and that traders cannot be expected to survive amid civic chaos, regulatory confusion, and administrative indifference.
Representatives from key Srinagar markets participated and raised serious concerns over the deepening civic and regulatory distress faced by traders.
Besides Khan, senior members present in the meeting included Bashir Ahmad Rather, Qazi Tauseef, Mohammad Rafi Khan (President, Dargah Traders Association), Lateef Ahmad Mir (President, Ikhrajpora Jawahar Nagar Traders Association), Sajad Ahmad (President, Gousia Market Traders Association Sarai Payeen), Mohammad Maqbool Wani (General Secretary, Gousia Market Traders Association Sarai Payeen), Parvaiz Ahmad Dar (Batpora Traders Association Hazratbal), Ajaz Ahmad Najar (President, Lal Mantoo Shorgari Mohalla), Tabish Najar (General Secretary, Lal Mantoo Shorgari Mohalla), Jan Mohammad Dar (President, Soura Traders Association), Airaz Mir (General Secretary, Soura Traders Association), President Rawalpora Traders Association, Ashfaq Mahajan (President, Traders Association M.A. Road), and Shamim Hussain (President, Auqaf Market Traders Association Lal Chowk).