A City in Shambles – Smart In Challan
M.M SHUJA
mmshuja@gmail.com
Srinagar city has a rich and historical culture that has been acknowledged across globe. The city is not only a favorite Tourist destination for outsiders but the people living in paradise are known for their unique hospitality. During unrest -2010 or 2016, the people living here have not only provided essential commodities to Tourist but even shelters too. Every year lacs of Amarnath yatras are visiting holy cave of Amarnath and till its culmination the majority community is providing every logistic support to yatra. During recent Snowfall, the Tourists who were stuck due to heavy Snow fall were provided free food and accommodation and even were accommodated in local Mosques, the good will gesture of public have been hailed across country. This is Kashmiriyat and the people living in valley are known for their help and Hospitality.
During the period of uncertainty, Srinagar city has been neglected in development process due to the reason today people living in different parts of Srinagar are facing tremendous problems. Uninterrupted electricity, better road connectivity, safe drinking water, Government schools with modern facilities, better Health care facilities in Government Hospitals is still a distant dream. Traffic Jam, Dilapidated lanes and by lanes and above all unemployment is a major issue which has not been addressed since three decades. Poor industrial sector is also a major cause of unemployment.
In June – 2015, Smart Cities Mission was launched by Union Government with the key objective of promoting cities and to provide better infrastructure. Under this project 100 cities were selected and J&K too got an opportunity with two cities Jammu as well as Srinagar city. In Srinagar the projects started with Limbo, the development works started got delayed due to multiple reasons by which not only public suffered but it has impacted the business sector too. The project work were started in and around lalchowk for its beautification but overall the around historical GantaGhar was developed for Selfie point. The traders of lal-chowk are aghast as under Smart City Project, maximum road has been repurposed for pedestrian and squeezed road left for Traffic as per local shop keepers , after the completion of work, from lalchowk to poloview, The shopkeepers are worst sufferers. Bilal Ahmad a shopkeeper said that their business is mainly relies on locals but now customers prefer to go for shopping to other places of city due to Traffic and parking issues. A student Sameer ahmed questioned, how you can one call Srinagar a ” Smart City ” when in this city nothing seems Smart. We have not a designated Bus stand where like in other parts of Country, Buses and sumo services are available for all District Head Quarters. While in Srinagar City, you have to board a vehicle at different locations of Srinagar City for different Districts. We don’t have a Scientific disposal of waste as “Achan Saidpora” is becoming Hazardous day by day due to its foul smell. Not only the people residing in and around saidpora but even the patients admitted in SKIMS are facing lot of problems. A shopkeeper Rafiq Ahmed Said that under Smart City Project, there were cosmetic not concrete measures taken for Srinagar city. Roads in and around city are Dilapidated. Drainage system is faulty in almost all parts of Srinagar city and under Smart City Project drainage system was not upgraded by which people are facing lot of problems during winter as well as in rainy season.
To abide traffic rules are mandatory for every citizen of country but it is equally true that the department should upgrade the infrastructure of Srinagar city for hassle free travel. Smart challan is another Smart way to fine and recover more and more money from commuters. To live in smart city facilities should be smart as well as the income of people living in city. If the administration is keen for a Smart City, then the beautification should be not only for lal-chowk but other areas civil lines as well as Downtown is equally important. All roads and lanes should be properly macadamized with proper drainage system. Schools should be upgraded under Smart City with Smart class rooms. In Srinagar city there must be a Smart bus stand for all commercial vehicles plying towards different Districts of valley. 24× 7 electricity as well as safe drinking water, better Health care facilities in Government Hospitals for poor and needy patients who can’t afford to go outside valley for their treatment. For scientific disposal of waste, there must be an Up gradation in the system as Achan saidpora dumping site after complete filling can create a big issue in future for SMC as there is no other alternate site for dumping of waste in Srinagar city. People living in “Smart City” must have a “Smart income” with Smart facilities to live a peaceful and dignified life in Srinagar City.
The Author is Senior Journalist/
Human Rights Activist
