Dug up roads and footpaths, overflowing drains, stinking garbage dumps and traffic jams! These are some of the “hallmarks’ of historic Srinagar city due to haphazard execution of development projects.

Initially people of the city were elated when the Smart City Project was launched. But the way the works were executed on a war-footing basis took everybody by surprise. There seemed to be urgency to execute the works but planning was clearly missing. The problem started when works on major roads in the city were started simultaneously. There was chaos among people who have never witnessed such large-scale works in the city.

Roads across Srinagar have been dug up for laying new pipes to carry drainage water. Fate of old drainage pipelines which were laid several years ago remains unknown. After a “surgical strike” on roads in Srinagar, authorities failed to undertake timely repairs. As a result commuters are facing a tough time. They have to bear the brunt of damages of their vehicles by dilapidated roads and traffic jams too.

After years of delay, work on the Sanat Nagar flyover started earlier this month. It is indeed a welcome move to prevent traffic jams on the busy stretch on the Bypass. However, authorities have so far failed to develop roads on both sides of the flyover site to ensure smooth vehicular movement. This results in massive traffic jams in the area as vehicles have to navigate uneven muddy surfaces.

One of the classic........

© Greater Kashmir