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| SMC may change names of places having Dogra links in Srinagar | | Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar to become things of past? | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 13: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) infamous for its alleged inefficacious functioning has come out with a new mantra to give an impression that it is working. The Mantra is to change the names of the places of historical importance in Srinagar.
If sources are to be believed, SMC is contemplating to change the names of several streets, colonies and areas of Srinagar including even those that have been named after the famous Dogra rulers of the state. The places that have been named after the Dogra kings are Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar, Maharaj Gunj, Sri Pratap Singh Park and several others.
However, the newest rabbit has come out of SMC's cap and that is to change such names of such historical places. The reason SMC has given to such bizarre and uncalled for decision is that Kashmir has its own contemporary Heroes who have gone into oblivion. Though those at the helm in the corporation didn't divulge the names of those unsung and unknown Heroes but said that name changing process is on cards.
However, there are officials who have objected to such unnatural decision terming the process of name changing an attempt to erode Kashmir's past and create further wedge between new generation and their past. "How would my grandson come to know who was Maharaja Hari Singh if we replace his name with some contemporary writer or a cultural activist. This is simply bizarre and ridiculous," said the official.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the Governor administration would allow the SMC to go ahead with its plan and make Kashmir a place with no idea wherefrom it has originated and who were its great rulers.
Instead of going got the name changing, will SMC work to make the summer capital which has turned into a garbage dumping site, into a better place to live in?
As per data available on SMC website 450 metric tons of solid waste is generated within the SMC limits on daily basis. Due to various reasons this waste is not at all treated and is finally dumped at Achen landfill site in Srinagar. As per the power point presentation uploaded on SMC website for seeking feedback on developing Srinagar into a Smart City not even in a single residential area (colonies , mohallas etc) or commercial establishments have the facility of segregation of solid waste . Due to absence of this facility all the waste (bio degradable / non bio degradable) generated in these areas is lifted in SMC vehicles and dumped unscientifically without any treatment.
If one compares the standards needed for the creation of the Smart City, Srinagar is lagging far behind. Smart City is an urban place where a proper scientific system is in operation that fulfils basic requirements of the inhabitants of that particular city . It should be mandatory for Government authorities in a smart city to be first accountable to citizens of that city, rather than being answerable to the senior officers etc. A smart city has to have proper and adequate water supply, 24 x 7 electricity supply, better sanitation, including solid waste management facilities , better public transport services, affordable housing, especially for poor and better Internet and IT services. |
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