A dumb city

If nomenclature could change anything, Srinagar would actually be a smart city. But what is in a name, the water flows over the streets and pavements the same way as it used before. The thunderous downpour yesterday once again reflected the capacity of our city drains to deal with a sudden rainfall.

It is not just now, we have been crying for years that Srinagar deserves an efficient drainage network that withstands some degree of reasonable pressure when it comes to rainfall or snowfall. But time and again we are failing this city. Some years back when a slew of development activities was undertaken under the broader topic of smart city project we though that Srinagar city would now match the standards elsewhere in the country's major cities. Though some facelifting did happen, but there is no significant change in the broader framework of amenities.

It is not just the drainage system, there are other problems that have turned Srinagar into a sick city. We don't have an efficient waste disposal system. The big dumping sites all over the city have become major nuisance spots. There are packs of dogs always thriving around these garbage dumpers. You walk past any such site and it presents a very disturbing picture. Nothing is being done in this regard.

In absence of any effective method to deal with a rising dog population we have not only turned this city into  ugly, but dangerous, place to live in. There have been umpteen cases of dog bites and many such cases turned into fatalities. But does that matter to those who are at the helm! Doesn't seem so.

Another dark spot related to civic amenities is the street lightning. There are many areas where it turns complete dark as the day light fades. In such areas it is so dangerous for the peopel to walk, limiting their movement in the evening hours.

Srinagar, as a city, needs a comprehensive planning that takes care of its needs in a holistic manner. To keep it liveable, it needs a clean atmosphere and a well coordinated civic amenities network.