A historic water channel near Sazwari Ground in the Awanta Bhawan area on the outskirts of Srinagar has suffered years of neglect, encroachment and unchecked dumping of waste, turning what was once a pristine water body into a polluted drain and triggering serious concern among the local populace.

A water channel in the Awanta Bhawan, Srinagar
Locals recall that decades ago, the stream carried crystal-clear water, so pure that people not only bathed in it but also caught fish for consumption. According to inhabitants, the channel historically flowed in two directions, with one branch moving towards Bagati Shoor Awanta Bhawan and the other extending towards the Sikh Bagh area of Srinagar.
Locals informed that the stream was connected to a large talaab, or pond, measuring nearly 10 to 15 feet, which played a crucial role in maintaining the local water system. Over time, both the pond and the channel have suffered extensive damage, with their natural structure and flow badly disrupted.
According to locals, rampant encroachments along both routes of the channel and continuous dumping of household as well as construction waste have narrowed the stream and blocked its natural course. The water body, once central to daily life in the area, has now turned into a stagnant and polluted drain, posing environmental and health risks to surrounding habitations.
Awanta Bhawan, locals point out, is a historic settlement built by Rani Amrita Prabha, the queen of King Meghwahan. The main road of the area leads towards Vichar Nag, where two ancient Shiva temples and two holy springs have long attracted devotees, underlining the cultural and historical importance of the locality.
Adding to concerns is an ancient bridge-like gate located along the stream, which locals say is now in a dilapidated condition. They fear that without urgent restoration, the structure, believed to hold historical significance, may collapse.
Despite repeated appeals, locals allege that the concerned authorities have failed to take action. “This stream was once the lifeline of Awanta Bhawan and nearby areas. Its destruction is a result of official negligence,” a local inhabitant said.
People have urged the administration to immediately remove encroachments, carry out desilting and cleaning of the stream and pond, and preserve the ancient structure, warning that continued inaction could permanently erase an important part of Srinagar’s natural and cultural heritage.