Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 11: In an example of official apathy, at least eight major developmental projects in Old City Srinagar are facing hurdles in implementation due to incompetence of concerned authorities for handling them.
Downtown is the largest and most densely populated area in the city of Srinagar. The area is facing many problems like congested bridges and roads, drainage problems and most important Maharaj Gunj area lacks fire and emergency services station.
At the same time several projects started for the development of the area are facing hurdles in implementation.
Among the eight projects, the reconstruction of Old Zaina Kadal Bridge is facing the problem of land acquisition for expanding the bridge.
Similarly the work has not been started on community hall at Kawdara and Namchabal due to non-releasing of funds by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD). An official document reveals that "While out of 06 structures 05 have been acquired under the compulsory mode and remaining structure will be placed within the week of approval of compensation."
Likewise construction of community hall at Fateh Kadal and Aziz Park, Khanyar also face the problem of land acquisitions.
Comparably structures at Baba Demb area have not been removed. The document reveals that the concerned officials have told Divisional Commissioner that there is no land available to rehabilitate the families. It has been decided the amount of 10 lakh rupees will be given to per family in lieu of their land, the document reveals. Shops at Khanyar have not been removed for widening of Khanyar-Zadibal-Pandach (KZP) road. An official at divisional commissioner office said that government is yet to identify the land to dislocate then.
Similarly Fire Services Station at Maharaj Gunj has not been constructed yet since it was engulfed by the fire. The 70-year-old station had been built by the-then Maharaja for the safety of Maharaj Gung market-the commercial centre of his times.
The market is still of vital importance to, at least, the old Srinagar. Absence of the station has rendered it vulnerable to devastation by fire.
The shopkeepers in the market said they approached the authorities concerned many times, but in vain.
Without a building of its own, the station has been merged with the one at Syed Hamid Pora, Nawa Bazar.
An employee at the Fire and Emergency Service station Maharaj Gung, said, "From Hamid Pora station, it is very difficult for us to reach Maharaj Gung in case of an incident. The approach roads to the market are very narrow, hampering movement of the vehicles." |
