Rains disrupt normal life in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 19: Heavy spell of rain disrupted normal life in the summer capital on Friday even as waterlogging, dilapidated roads and traffic jams subjected commuters to inconvenience.

The locals said that the defunct drainage system and dilapidated roads subjected added to their woes. The locals in Downtown area, including Khanyar, Nowpora, Nowhatta, Makhdoom Sahib, Khwaja Bazar, Hawal, and other areas, said that dilapidated roads turned into cesspools amid rains.

They blamed slow pace of Smart City works as the major reason for condition of Downtown. The residents of Batamaloo, Bemina, HMT, and adjoining areas also complained of waterlogging due to defunct drainage.

“Waterlogging is triggered after every rainfall in Srinagar. We are clueless about when we will see proper roads and drains in the summer capital. Smart City projects are aimed to resolve these issues, but slow pace of works and lack of coordination are taking a toll on us. The roads have been dug up across Srinagar, and commuters and locals are facing a tough time,” said Amir Ahmad, a local from Downtown. Senior officials from Srinagar Smart City said that by summer, the Downtown will see the completion of road construction. Meanwhile, an official from SMC said that since the rainfall, they have continuously pressed their men and machinery to address issues.

“We are monitoring all dewatering pumps and pressing them in our mobile dewatering pumps to address waterlogging. Scores of roads, lanes, and by-lanes in Srinagar were cleared from waterlogging, and we will continue to do so,” said the official.