Srinagar, March 10, 2025 – The Jammu and Kashmir government has unveiled a Rs 63.53 crore initiative aimed at alleviating the persistent traffic congestion in Sopore town, a bustling hub in north Kashmir known for housing Asia’s largest fruit mandi. The announcement, made on Monday, underscores the administration’s efforts to address long-standing traffic woes that have plagued the region, particularly during the peak fruit season.
According to official statements, the comprehensive plan includes a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for road widening along a 2.50 km stretch, estimated at Rs 46.01 crore. This segment, stretching from Mazbugh bridge to the bypass near the toll post, is notorious for heavy traffic jams due to the surge in vehicular movement around the fruit mandi. Additionally, a separate DPR worth Rs 17.52 crore has been framed for the development and strengthening of an alternative route from Mazbugh to Ashpeer, designed to divert traffic and ease pressure on the main roads.
“The government is committed to decongesting Sopore and ensuring smoother traffic flow, especially given the economic significance of the fruit mandi,” a senior official said. However, the execution of these projects remains contingent on the availability of funds, raising questions about the timeline for implementation.
In recent years, the government has made strides in upgrading infrastructure around the mandi. Two major roads adjacent to the market—an 18 km double-lane road connecting the Fruit Mandi to Warpora on the Sopore-Bandipora highway and a 6.4 km double-lane road from the Fruit Mandi to Jalalabad—have been revamped under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). These upgrades have already contributed to better traffic management, but officials acknowledge that more needs to be done to tackle peak-season bottlenecks.
The plan also comes amid concerns over delays in other critical infrastructure projects in Sopore. The government admitted to significant setbacks in the completion of three major bridges—Sopore-Mazbugh, Maharajpora, and the Trussed Grid Bridge at Seer-Jagir—further complicating traffic flow in the region. No specific timelines for these bridges were provided in the latest update.
Local residents and traders have welcomed the initiative but expressed cautious optimism. “The traffic situation during the fruit season is unbearable. Widening roads and building alternate routes could be a game-changer, but we’ve heard promises before. It all depends on whether the funds come through,” said Abdul Rahim, a fruit trader at the mandi.
Sopore, often dubbed the “Apple Town” of Kashmir, is a vital economic artery due to its fruit trade. The mandi alone sees hundreds of vehicles daily during harvest season, leading to gridlock that affects both commerce and daily life. The proposed projects aim to not only improve connectivity but also bolster the region’s economic potential by ensuring efficient transport links.
As the government moves forward with its Rs 63.53 crore blueprint, all eyes will be on the administration’s ability to secure funding and translate plans into action. For now, Sopore’s residents and traders await tangible relief from the traffic snarls that have long defined their town.