The administration in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, is busy these days transforming the city at a fast pace. Selected as one of the cities to be converted into a "Smart City", the local administration is working round-the-clock to complete all works by April end so as to be in a position to host a G20 meeting in the first week of May.
Currently the Srinagar administration has taken up over 80 projects, which includes a major revamp of roads, pathways, cycle tracks, market areas and other amenities. The local authorities are confident about completing the work to provide Srinagar with a new look, better facilities and a clean environment.
Athar Amin Khan, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, told Brighter Kashmir that "Work in areas like M B Road, Left River Bank and Gupkar are almost nearing completion. In other areas like Lal Chowk, Residency, the projects still require intense civil work. In these areas, we have roped in craftsmen to do specialised jobs, things like placing cobblestones, doing underground electrical and cabling network, etc. It's going to take a little while, but we are very keen to complete it as quickly as possible."
He further said, "I give you an example. We were discussing the drainage issue in the Lal Chowk area and there was a spell of rainfall, we found areas like Ghanta Ghar facing problems of waterlogging, etc. We promptly asked our civil engineers and other experts to redesign the underground rainage system so as to ensure that this problem is removed. That was the first test for us and indicated that we were on the right track. We are very glad that this work has come up so well."
"Same is the situation with the Ghanta Ghar, where in its upper portion we had to do some height adjustments, column strengthening, etc. That has been completed. At the bottom, we strengthened the base. We have also selected a clock of good quality that will be installed soon. Ghanta Ghar you will notice does not have a clock at present. Fabrication work is also being done. We are trying to do this at a reasonably good pace. I can't give an exact date for the completion of all works, but it is safe to say that we can achieve it in the next couple of months," he added.
When asked whether the trading community was cooperating with the city administration, the official replied in the affirmative.
"The traders have been most encouraging and cooperative with us. In fact, they all agreed that Srinagar's Lal Chowk enjoys iconic status and this must be maintained at all costs. In fact there was a particular area that was acting as block to shopkeepers. The traders came forward and told us, including designers to redesign that area so that there is greater access and free movement. We had to ensure two things -- prevention of waterlogging and maintain a an equal gradient level at both ends. We are in complete sympathy with the traders who have been inconvenienced as a result of this Smart City work, but as it is said often "Today's work is for betterment of tomorrow", this is the need of the hour. If you see the development work done in the Polo View Market area, it gives people an idea of what they are going to gain and enjoy," Khan said.
The "Smart City" project is being undertaken at a cost of about Rs.29.5 crores (USD 360 million). Of this amount, Rs.24.4 crores (USD 244 million) has been deployed with key line departments to enable them to work in convergence with Smart City Limited on various projects.
Ghulam Qadir Khasi, a Houseboat Owner, said: "We are extremely grateful to the UT government, the Lt Governor and all stakeholders involved with the smart city project. A lot of work is going on. There is work going on The River Jhelum. The Dal Lake. I am very hopeful that there will come a day when tourists will come to the River Jhelum for houseboat stays and rides instead of going on the Dal and Nageen Lakes."
A second speaker told BK: "I welcome this initiative by the government to convert Srinagar into a 'Smart City'. If I were to define a Smart City, I would describe it as an effort to give beautification and development the much needed boost. We all want development to take place in Srinagar. Through these projects give jobs to young Kashmiris. It is not enough to just give us a Smart City. Give the young and the unemployed jobs and businesses that they can pursue and excel in."
Another speaker said: "There is no doubt that these Smart City projects will go a long way towards making Srinagar more beautiful and efficient.It is but natural that some buildings that are old or encroaching on areas that have been marked for development will have to be removed. It's a positive step."
Local authorities have assured that all civil construction works are being attended to meticulously with proper planning. They said the people of can expecte a better developed and clean Srinagar soon.