Authorities sit on encroachment of footpaths in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 01: As authorities are in slumber, shopkeepers and street vendors are having free hand to encroach upon the newly constructed footpaths in various areas of the city.

Several pedestrians in most of the footpaths in Srinagar have been occupied by scrap dealers, car dealers, shopkeepers, and vendors, forcing them to walk on the road. They said the issue is more severe in Downtown areas, including Babademb, Khanyar, Nowhatta, and its adjoining areas. The commuters also said that as the pedestrians are forced to walk on roads, traffic movement is hindered, and lives are at risk.

“Footpaths were recently extended for pedestrians. However, it is ironic that most of the footpaths have been encroached upon by shopkeepers, vendors, and car dealers. This has put the lives of scores of pedestrians at risk,” said Ajaz Ahmad, a resident from Downtown.

Even as the authorities have invested millions of rupees and constructed a new network of footpaths, the traders are using them as personal property while turning a blind eye to the plight of pedestrians.

“This is being done under the nose of authorities. You can see how footpaths constructed by under the Smart City project have been occupied and are being used as stalls by several shopkeepers, vendors, and scrap dealers,” said another local.

The locals said that at various places, some traders dealing with iron and other construction materials have fully occupied these footpaths for years now. They said there is no concept of footpaths in these areas. The locals said that Srinagar Smart City officials should ensure that these footpaths are free from encroachments.

“We understand that at many places in Srinagar, there is an issue, and even newly laid footpaths have been occupied. We will ensure to launch a special drive in this regard,” a senior official from Srinagar Smart City said.

As per the official data, pedestrian deaths in Srinagar constituted 48.15 percent of the total death toll caused by road accidents in 2023. The data further reveals that in the last four years, 192 people lost their lives in Srinagar in road accidents only, of which 89 were pedestrians

SMC Commissioner and CEO Srinagar Smart City Owais Ahmad said that SMC is conducting continuous drives against encroachments.

“We have recently carried these drives in multiple wards, including Downtown. We will continue to carry out these drives to ensure that no footpaths are encroached,” he said.