STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Markets in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley are wearing a festive look as people are busy shopping for Eid-ul-Fitr which will be celebrated this week to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan.
Massive traffic jams were being witnessed in some of the routes in the city and elsewhere as people were thronging the specially-decorated markets. Protests by footpath vendors, who wanted to set their stalls on the roadside ahead of the Eid but were denied permission by authorities, added to the chaos.
The heavy rush of shoppers forced the authorities to come out with a traffic diversion plan. The vendors were recently allotted a location near the historic ‘ghanta ghar’ to carry on their business after they were evicted as part of government’s efforts to ensure smooth movement of pedestrians and traffic in and round Lal Chowk. Shops selling readymade garments, clothes, shoes and eatables like bakery products besides mutton and chicken are witnessing heavy rush. The 17-day summer vacation in schools, which started on July 1, has added to the festive atmosphere in the markets with children too accompanying the women on shopping trips.
No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere. The fasting month will end tomorrow or day after depending on the sighting of the moon.