Srinagar: Srinagar city has been decked up for the 8th Muharram procession being observed today, with black flags, banners and religious insignia adorning several areas as authorities completed elaborate arrangements for the major religious event.
The administration has intensified security measures, finalised civic arrangements and issued a comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the traditional procession.
The 8th Muharram procession, according to details available with the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), will be taken out along the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M.A. Road, passing through the heart of Srinagar amid extensive arrangements put in place by the civil and police administration.
Officials said a coordinated mechanism involving civil and police authorities has been established to facilitate the smooth conduct of the procession while ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order. Senior officers from various departments, including police, health, municipal services, fire and emergency services, power development, water supply and other essential services, have been assigned specific responsibilities.
The administration has undertaken extensive measures, including route management, deployment of adequate security personnel, traffic regulation, sanitation drives, uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply, emergency medical facilities, installation of control rooms and round-the-clock monitoring of arrangements.
Officers have been directed to maintain close coordination with Muharram committees, religious organisations, community representatives and volunteers to facilitate the smooth conduct of the procession and related religious gatherings.
The District Magistrate Srinagar has granted permission to the Yaadgari Hussaini Committee, Guru Bazar, to take out the traditional 8th Muharram procession today.
According to the permission order accessed by KNO, the procession will commence from Guru Bazar at 6:00 am and proceed through Budshah Kadal and M.A. Road towards Dalgate. The tail of the procession is expected to cross Jehangir Chowk at 7:00 am and reach the J&K Bank Headquarters on M.A. Road at around 8:30 am.
The administration has imposed several conditions for the procession. Only one side of M.A. Road will be used by mourners, while the other carriageway will remain available for emergency service vehicles. Organisers have been directed to ensure that the procession concludes within the prescribed time frame and that participants adhere strictly to the approved programme and route.
The order prohibits anti-national or anti-administration speeches, provocative sloganeering and any activity that may affect communal harmony or disturb public order. Display of photographs of terrorists and flags or symbols of banned organisations has also been strictly prohibited. Organisers have been asked to cooperate fully with police and security agencies, prevent damage to public property and coordinate with concerned departments for first-aid facilities.
The use of drones during the procession has been completely banned, while loudspeakers and sound systems will be regulated in accordance with prescribed rules.
Meanwhile, Srinagar Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory announcing restrictions and diversions on major roads leading to and around the procession route from 5:00 am until the culmination of the event.
According to the advisory, traffic movement from Karan Nagar towards Jehangir Chowk via Shaheed Gunj and Tankipora will remain suspended from 5:00 am to 8:00 am. Similarly, traffic movement on the Jehangir Chowk–M.A. Road–Dalgate–Badyari stretch will remain restricted during the procession.
Traffic coming from Batamaloo, Civil Secretariat and Rambagh towards M.A. Road will be diverted via Hari Singh High Street and Residency Road. Vehicles from Rainawari and Nowpora will be diverted at Mamta Hotel towards SRTC Bridge, Barbarshah, Kralkhud, Habba Kadal and Karan Nagar.
Traffic from Khanyar and Ikhwan Chowk will be diverted at SRTC Bridge towards Barbarshah, Kralkhud, Habba Kadal and Karan Nagar, while motorists from Nishat, Shalimar and adjoining areas have been advised to use Boulevard Road, Gupkar Road, Radio Kashmir Road and Abdullah Bridge for onward travel.
Vehicles coming from Pantha Chowk and Sonwar will be diverted at Radio Kashmir towards Residency Road and Abdullah Bridge. Tourists and residents in and around Nehru Park have been advised to use Gupkar Road, Nishat and Foreshore Road during the procession hours.
Traffic Police has urged commuters to avoid unnecessary movement from Karan Nagar to Dalgate via M.A. Road today to prevent inconvenience and facilitate the smooth conduct of the religious event.
For the convenience of mourners, designated parking facilities have been arranged at S.P. College Ground, Gindun Park, Batamaloo Bus Stand and Coloured Park.
Authorities have also established vehicle cut-off points at Jehangir Chowk, Gaw Kadal, Mamta Crossing, Aziz Bridge and Ikhwan Chowk, beyond which no vehicular movement will be permitted during the procession.
The administration has appealed to mourners and the general public to strictly follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the district administration and police, adhere to prescribed routes and timings, observe all safety protocols and extend full cooperation to ensure the peaceful and smooth observance of Muharram. (With inputs from KNO)
