Drowning in Neglect | Daga Kadal residents decry lack of drainage system

Srinagar, Apr 14:  In the heart of Lal Bazar area in Downtown, the residents of Daga Kadal, Sidiqi Colony, are finding themselves engulfed in a dire situation as they struggle in absence of a proper drainage system.

With each rainfall, their lanes morph into pools of stagnant water, rendering movement difficult and sanitation compromised. Frustration has mounted over the years, with promises of action remaining unfulfilled and the community’s pleas for assistance seemingly falling on deaf ears. A delegation from the area, speaking on behalf of the aggrieved residents, expressed their distress over the prolonged ordeal.

“For the past eight years, we have been tirelessly awaiting the construction of a drainage system,” Ghulam Rasool, a member of the delegation said. “During rains, our lanes resemble streams, and navigating through ankle-deep water becomes a daunting task. The lack of a drainage system has turned our daily lives into a constant struggle.”

The gravity of the situation has escalated to alarming proportions, with drainage soakage pits now brimming to capacity and overflowing onto the streets.

Such conditions not only impede pedestrian movement but also pose significant health risks to the residents, as stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes and other pests.

The residents described the predicament as intolerable, highlighting the impact on their daily routines and overall well-being. “We are unable to step out of our homes without wading through dirty water,” a resident Syed Zubair Ahmad and Azad Ahmad said. “Children find it particularly challenging to attend school during the rainy season, and the elderly are at heightened risk of slipping and injuring themselves on slippery pathways.” The lack of a functional drainage system not only affects the immediate vicinity but also poses broader implications for the community's socio-economic development.

Businesses struggle to operate effectively in such conditions, and property values diminish, exacerbating the residents’ plight.

Despite repeated appeals to the authorities, the residents assert that their grievances have largely been ignored, leaving them disillusioned and disheartened.

“We have submitted numerous petitions and met with officials, but to no avail,” a community representative, Mohammad Syed said. “Our pleas for assistance seem to fall on deaf ears, while our streets continue to resemble waterlogged marshes.”

In light of the escalating crisis, the residents of Daga Kadal, Sidiqi Colony, are now demanding urgent action from the concerned authorities.

They urge swift intervention to alleviate their suffering and address the longstanding issue of inadequate drainage infrastructure.

With monsoon season looming on the horizon, time is of the essence, and the community's resilience is being tested to its limits.

As the clouds gather overhead, casting a shadow of uncertainty, the residents of Lal Bazar's Daga Kadal Sidiqi Colony cling to hope that their voices will finally be heard and their plight acknowledged before the next deluge inundates their streets once again.