Façade restoration of old buildings at Maharaj Gunj begins

Srinagar: Over a century-old market at Maharaj Gunj locality in Downtown is getting a much-awaited facelift by the authorities under the Srinagar Smart City’s Downtown Urban Renewal Project.

As per the officials, the project will see revamping of the heritage market and its decades old building and adjoining buildings of the area at Maharaj Gunj.

“Many other projects are taken on in this area including Bohri Kadal and Zaina Kadal markets under the project. These markets are of historical importance and can be an attraction to tourists,” said an official.

The historic market dates back over a century and is in shambles. “We are happy with the beautification of the market, but we want it to be followed by providing basic amenities to uplift the market. The market will see a good footfall of customers if basic facilities will be provided,” said Ayaz Zehgeer, secretary of Beopar Mandal trade body.

“The revamping of the market will serve its purpose when it will be equipped with basic facilities. We have been demanding facilities like parking space, better road connectivity which is a must for trade. Other demands like the building fire and emergency station are important because in fire incidents traders lose lakhs of rupees every year,” he added.

“The facilities should also be put in place that will make the commute of shoppers easy which will help us very much. This market is around two centuries old and should get its due attention as it can be a tourist attraction as well,” Zehgeer said.

The officials from Srinagar Smart City Limited said that they have taken up multiple projects in Downtown to facelift the old heritage spots in the area. They said that the local crafts are being put to work to restore the markets to its old glory.

“Facade Restoration of the Beopar Mandal and other buildings in the old Maharaj Gunj Market, Bohri Kadal, and Zainakadal Markets under Srinagar Smart City Project. The project along-with other infrastructure development in Sheher e Khas is aimed to revive the old heritage markets of the Srinagar city,” CEO Smart City, Athar Aamir Khan, said in a recent social media post.