Srinagar, June 23: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) appealed for intervention from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding the prolonged delays in the Srinagar Smart City project. The KTA cites significant economic repercussions for local businesses and widespread inconvenience for the public as primary concerns.
In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar expressed deep dissatisfaction with the sluggish progress of the project. Shahdhar pointed out a stark difference between official reports and the reality on the ground, noting, “Despite repeatedly raising the issue of work pace on Smart City projects across Srinagar, the problems acknowledged by officials do not align with the actual progress visible on the ground.”
Shahdhar criticized the recurring issue of missed deadlines for various development projects in Kashmir. “Several deadlines have passed for various development projects in Kashmir, yet what we hear is another deadline,” he remarked, stressing the need for urgent and accelerated action. He suggested, “It is high time that the administration should start work on these projects on double shifts to complete them within the stipulated time.”
The ongoing construction has severely impacted Srinagar’s business community, with Shahdhar describing a bleak economic situation: “Businesses in Srinagar are suffering a lot.” The disruption affects more than just commerce, with residents facing significant inconvenience due to incomplete road and footpath works.
Originally intended to modernize urban infrastructure and enhance quality of life, the Smart City project has instead created numerous hardships. Unfinished roadworks and prolonged construction activities have turned parts of Srinagar into obstacle courses for both pedestrians and vehicles.
In response to these challenges, the KTA has directly appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The trade organization has urged the LG to personally oversee the delayed projects and take immediate action to rectify the situation. This call for high-level intervention underscores the gravity of the issue and the need for decisive measures from the highest levels of the administration.
