Defunct drainage system inundates roads in Downtown

Srinagar, Mar 30: Commuters faced a tough time today passing through Downtown areas due to waterlogging of roads triggered by the defunct drainage system.

After overnight rains, roads in several areas of Downtown including Khayam, Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, Nawab Bazar, Safa Kadal and Noor Bagh were submerged. “More than rains, it is a defunct drainage system which caused waterlogging in Downtown. We have never seen such a situation. It is like floods,” said Ghulam Nabi a commuter while pointing towards an inundated road at Safa Kadal.

Commuters squarely blamed the haphazard construction of roads and drains under the Smart City project. “Earlier we have never witnessed waterlogging of this scale in Downtown. Waterlogging was caused by the haphazard construction of the drainage system this year. We have drains everywhere but there is no outlet,” said Nazir Ahmad, a Downtown resident.

Commuters said their vehicles were also damaged after passing through dilapidated and waterlogged roads. “We pay road tax for better roads. Ironically, there is not a single road fit for vehicular movement,” rued Abdul Hamid, a commuter.

Most of the city roads are undergoing repairs after laying of drainage pipelines. However, the slow pace of work has evoked strong resentment among the commuters. Roads from Khayam to Safa Kadal are dotted with potholes.

“It is like a nightmare for commuters to drive through Downtown areas. There seems to be no coordination or accountability to ensure the timely completion of vital roads and drainage projects. Contractors dig up the road, law sewers, and haphazardly fill it. The uneven road surface and waterlogging pose a risk of accidents,” said Abdul Rahim, a commuter.

Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SSCL) has been facing heat for failing to complete works in the summer capital as per timelines.

Officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation claimed that several teams have been working on the ground to undertake dewatering. But people refute the claims.

“We make a fervent appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to set up a monitoring committee to ensure timely completion of Smart City projects for convenience of people,” a group of commuters said.