Lack of basic facilities at SSCL’s multilevel parking irks commuters

Srinagar, Nov 3: Failure of Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SCL) to ensure maintenance of multi-level parking at Press Enclave in the city’s commercial hub Lal-Chowk is taking a toll on commuters.

The commuters, who park their vehicles in the parking facility, complained of lack of sanitation, defunct lifts, uncovered manholes, and closed washrooms.

A delegation of commuters said that there are multiple issues, including a lack of proper sanitation around the parking premises, which is taking the sheen off the parking slot. They said that uncovered manholes are another issue that makes it risky for the people there.

“Hundreds of young students board vans and other vehicles daily there. Uncovered manholes, bird carcasses, garbage mounds, and stray dogs pose a risk to commuters, especially students. This reflects badly on the level of sanitation carried there,” said Umar Mir, a commuter.

The commuters said that in addition to this, defunct lifts subject commuters to inconvenience. They said that school children, elderly, and females commuters have to navigate multiple stairs to board vehicles on the first, second, and third floors of the multi-level parking.

“I pick up my school-going children from this parking lot daily and park my vehicle here. I am forced to climb multiple stairs to reach the vehicle parked on the upper floors. This inconvenience would have been avoided if lifts had been made functional. The washrooms are not functional, either. We are paying for parking, and then we have to pay to go to the restroom outside the parking lot, which is unfortunate,” said an aggrieved parent.

A few months back, a minor student got stuck in a non-functional lift, and the police and a technical team had to rescue him. They said these lifts are still non-functional and open, posing a threat to school children there.

Commuters also complained of lack of a proper billing system at the Parking lot. “Due to mismanagement by billing staffers, there is a commotion of school vans during school closure time. Students get stuck in vans for nearly an hour daily due to slow billing process,” they said.

“Despite the massive rush in Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas till late evening hours, the main gate of the parking from Press Enclave side is closed at 6 pm. This causes inconvenience to commuters, especially tourists. This parking facility should be open round the clock,” said a commuter.

A senior official of SSCL said that he would look into the issue. “I know about defunct washrooms and I will personally visit there and ensure that all these issues are addressed properly. We will ensure that people taking service of the parking won’t face any inconvenience” he said.