Abdul Majid Early Times Report Srinagar, July 27: Heavy waterlogging in parts of Srinagar has forced many families to cancel wedding celebrations. Local newspapers are full of paid advertisements with the hosts informing their guests about cancellation of the scheduled wedding celebrations. Most of these notifications are pouring in from areas like Lal Bazaar, Bota Kadal and Bemina where frequent waterlogging has left the normal life disrupted. "Invitation Cancelled: Constrained by the prevalent weather conditions, fraught with heavy rains and water accumulations, the marriage ceremony of my son, Dr Musrat Ashraf, shall be performed on 28th and 29th July 2015, Insha Allah in a very simple way. Invitation cards issued be please be treated as cancelled. From Haji Muhammad Ashraf Khan, Khan Enclave Umar Colony B, Lal Bazar," reads one such advertisement. Post September-2014 floods, drainage failure have exposed how crores of rupees have been swindled in the name of development by successive regimes in the state. Take the case of Lal Bazar locality. The previous National Conference government spent over Rs 20 crores on construction of drainage network in the locality. The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority had executed the work, which as per the inhabitants, has failed to provide any respite. The scene is no different in many other parts of the city, where the drainage is looked after by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). Areas like Indira Nagar, Mominabad and Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina, remain often submerged, while recently the downtown faced worst inundation within three hours of downpour when waters seeped into first floors of residential houses. The SMC has elevated an official, Ishtiaq Ahmed, as head of the drainage division who he is not from the field. As already reported by this newspaper, the presence of the allegedly incompetent officer, working as Superintending Engineer Drainage, was the biggest hindrance in the smooth execution of drainage works. "He is unable to understand technicalities of how drainage and dewatering is to be managed. As a result the ground staff now works inefficiently as they are fed up of him," said a junior engineer pleading anonymity. In October last year, Ishtiaq was elevated to the post of Superintending Engineer Town Drainage. The official who was working as Executive Engineer was given undue promotion vide order No. 522 of 2014 dated October 29, 2014 at a time when the Model Code of Conduct was in force for Assembly elections. Despite hue and cry, the PDP-BJP government has failed to replace Ishtiaq with some competent official. Sources said he is being shielded by two PDP ministers who have asked Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh to retain him. When contacted by Early Times for his comment, Commission Secretary Housing said he was unaware about the issues. Dr Nirmal Singh, who also happens to be the Minister for Housing, said, "I will look into the matter provided the complaint is brought to me." |