Rains expose Srinagar’s defunct drainage system

Srinagar, Apr 29:  The much-hyped Smart City initiative faced a litmus test as heavy rains over the past two days exposed the city's defunct drainage system, leading to widespread waterlogging and chaos in various areas.

Major flooding was witnessed on important thoroughfares, including the Boulevard Road and Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) area.

Boulevard Road transformed into a flooded path, creating major disruptions for both pedestrians and commuters.

The continuous rains transformed streets into flowing streams at Bemina, Jawahar Nagar, Khanyar, Goji Bagh, Ram Bagh interiors, Natipora, Mehjoor Nagar, Padshahi Bagh, Nowgam, and other areas.

Vehicles were stranded, and shops became inundated, causing inconvenience to residents, traders and commuters alike.

Residents expressed frustration over the unpreparedness if authorities for such weather events, despite drainage system being part of the Smart City initiative aimed at modernising urban infrastructure.

The flood-like situation near underconstruction flyovers at Nowgam and Bemina hampered the movement of commuters, who found themselves stranded on the roads amid waterlogging.

"I was on my way to work when my car got stuck in waterlogged road near Bemina flyover. I had to abandon it and wade through knee-deep water to reach the office," said Faisal Mir, a commuter.

"This is a recurring problem that the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to. Where are the smart solutions they promised us under the Smart City project?" questioned Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Bemina while pointing towards waterlogged and dilapidated road in the locality.

Traffic jams intensified on major thoroughfares, with a resident reporting that it took nearly half an hour to travel from the inside colonies to the main street due to heavy traffic and waterlogged roads.

SE Drainage, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Sajad Kawoosa told Greater Kashmir that they have deployed men and machinery and they are actively working on the ground.

He said that they have installed 85 dewatering pumps in different areas of Srinagar, and 97 dewatering stations are functional.

"I am currently in the field and monitoring the situation. Our men and machinery are working hard," he said.

"We have 97 dewatering stations with the capacity to drain 21 crore litres of water per hour. Also 127 mobile pumping units, including small and large units. Large units are used in flood-like situations," he said.

Kawoosa said that the Boulevard area comes under LCMA but still they have installed men and machinery to clear the area.