Facing neglect, heritage bazaars in downtown Srinagar unable to scale up

Srinagar, Nov 11: The bustling bazaars of downtown Srinagar, once attractive centres of trade and craftsmanship, are now showing visible signs of losing the charm due to lack of development.

The traders in the market decry that the century-old marketplace of Shaher-e-Khaas, which includes the historic stretches of Maharaj Gunj, Bohri Kadal, Gojwara, Zaina Kadal, and Fateh Kadal, is struggling to retain its old charm.

Traders in these markets, which once served as the economic heart of the Valley, say business has hit an all-time low due to infrastructure neglect and poor accessibility.

“I have done business here since I was quite young. During my childhood, the lanes were filled with buyers from every corner of Kashmir. People would come here for copperware, spices, shawls, and paper-mache. Now, many shops remain empty through the day, and it is courtesy of the lack of accessibility,” said Ayaz Zehgeer, a senior member from Beopar Mandal, one of the oldest trade outfits of Kashmir.

“While facade restorations and cobblestone roads were introduced in a few stretches, what good is a beautiful facade if customers cannot reach us due to issues like lack of parking spaces?” asked Zehgeer, adding that the road diversions along famous Nalamar Road have further hindered the access of shoppers who are stuck in the never-ending maze of narrow roads and traffic jams.

Nazir Ahmad Shah, President of Shaher-e-Khaas Traders Alliance, said that the parking issue and diversions remain the major problem.

“In addition to that, the cobblestone pathways, meant to enhance the heritage look, have also become a source of frustration. With temperatures dipping, these surfaces turn slippery and uneven, making walking difficult during snow and frost,” he said, adding that authorities have ensured to address the issues of parking and diversions, and they are hopeful for the same.

Traders also pointed out that frequent power cuts have added to woes, especially in the winter months when daylight hours are short. “We are left juggling between the power cuts and the traffic chaos, and there is hardly any business left,” added another shopkeeper.

Shoppers say they deliberately avoid the downtown markets due to a lack of parking. “I used to come to Nowhatta every week. Now I go to Lal-chowk instead. The downtown lanes are too congested, and there’s no space to park,” said Farhan, a Hazratbal resident.

Many elderly residents who have witnessed the market’s golden years describe the change as painful. “There was a time when Shaher-e-Khaas was the soul of Srinagar’s economy. Today, it feels forgotten. If things continue this way, we may lose an entire cultural and commercial heritage,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Kawdara Downtown.

Traders say that during the Dogra period, Maharaj Gunj was developed as one of the first organised wholesale markets of Kashmir, linking the Valley’s artisans and traders with routes leading to Punjab, Central Asia, and beyond. They say, but today, the same legacy markets are being pushed to the margins by the growing challenges of congestion, inaccessibility, and neglect.