Lack of drainage facilities in Hazratbal areas irk residents

Srinagar, Nov 16: Lack of drainage facilities in various areas of Hazratbal is causing inconvenience to residents.

In the lanes of Hazratbal’s outskirts, the sound of shovels hitting the earth has become increasingly familiar. With no functional sewage system in place, locals are now forced to build their own underground drainage and septic setups. They say it is a costly and cumbersome solution to a growing civic crisis.

Locals say that for many residents in Srinagar’s unplanned colonies and even parts of the main city, the absence of a drainage network has left them with little choice but to dig deep into their pockets. While some areas of central Srinagar have drainage meant for storm or grey water, there is still no comprehensive system for sewerage disposal.

“I had to spend over 25,000 rupees just to dig a few pits and connect the pipes. Luckily, I had some space behind my house. But what about those living in congested localities? They have no place to build such systems. It’s becoming unbearable for ordinary families,” said Sajida, a resident of Hazratbal outskirts, who recently constructed a trench-based sewage system in his backyard.

According to locals, colonies such as Gaoshiya Colony in the Hazratbal outskirts, established in the early 1990s, continue to operate without any proper drainage network. They said despite falling under Srinagar Municipal Corporation limits, these areas remain dependent on makeshift or in-house arrangements for both kitchen waste (grey water) and toilet discharge (black water).

They said the absence of an integrated sewage system has given rise to a small but thriving trade, which is private trench digging.

One such worker, Shahid Kumar, represents the fourth generation in his family engaged in this profession. “Our ancestors used to dig wells; now we dig trenches and septic tanks. October to January is our busiest season because people rush to get these systems built before the water table rises again in Spring. But it’s not easy as many can’t afford it, and others don’t have enough land.” He said.

Kumar, who hails from a family of traditional well-diggers, said demand for private sewerage trenches has grown across Srinagar’s uptown and fringe areas. He said from Hazratbal to Zakura, Hyderpora to Rangreth, people are calling them for the service.

Meanwhile, urban planners see this as a symptom of Srinagar’s deeper structural issues. Hamid Wani, a senior town planner, warned that the ad-hoc nature of these personal systems could lead to serious environmental consequences.

“Srinagar lacks a comprehensive black water network. In some places, people even connect their sewerage outlets to stormwater drains. This not only pollutes our water bodies but also contaminates the groundwater table. The treatment plants here are meant for grey water, not sewage,” he said.

He added that the situation reflects decades of weak urban planning and poor coordination between development agencies. “We are urbanizing without a plan. New colonies are mushrooming without basic infrastructure. If these septic or trench systems are not built scientifically, they will end up poisoning the same soil people rely on.” He added.

Experts and residents alike are now calling for an urgent policy intervention to address the issue. They argue that the city’s expansion demands not just new roads and housing, but a properly designed sewage and drainage network that can protect both people and the environment.