Smart City, Slow Execution: Maharaja Bazar, Goni Khan traders fight for survival

Srinagar June 30: The Srinagar Smart City project, envisioned to modernise the city's infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents, has become a source of immense frustration and economic hardship for traders in the historic markets of Maharaja Bazar and Goni Khan.

For over six months, the roads in these bustling old city markets have been dug up, rendering them inaccessible to vehicles and significantly impacting business operations.

The ongoing construction has left traders in a precarious situation. "Our business has been badly affected," a group of shopkeepers told Greater Kashmir. "We are not even in a position to pay our bank instalments."

The economic toll of the construction has been severe, with many traders reporting a drastic decline in sales as customers find it difficult to navigate the dug-up roads.

The slow pace of construction work has only added to the woes of the traders. Despite repeated appeals to the authorities, the progress remains sluggish. "The officials are giving a deaf ear to our concerns," they said. "We have been patient, but our patience is running out."

"The situation is disastrous for us," said Farooq Ahmad, who owns a fabric store in Goni Khan. "Sales have plummeted because no one wants to walk through the construction mess. We're barely making enough to cover our daily expenses, let alone pay off loans."

"This project was supposed to bring development, but all it's brought us is misery," said Noor Mohammad, another shopkeeper in Goni Khan market. "We understand the need for infrastructure improvement, but the pace at which the work is being carried out is unacceptable. Our businesses are suffering, and there's no compensation or relief in sight."

The Smart City project, which aims to transform Srinagar into a modern urban centre with improved infrastructure, smart technology, and better services, has faced criticism for its execution. The project, while ambitious, has proven to be detrimental to the livelihoods of those dependent on the markets for their sustenance.

The slow pace of work in Maharaja Bazar and Goni Khan is not an isolated incident. Several other parts of the city undergoing similar transformations have reported similar issues. Residents and business owners alike have voiced their concerns over the adverse impacts of the project.

An official from the Smart City project team said that they understand the temporary inconvenience it is causing, and they are working diligently to complete the work as quickly as possible."

Despite these assurances, the current state of the markets paints a grim picture. The traders in Maharaja Bazar and Goni Khan are calling for immediate intervention to expedite the construction work and provide some relief from their financial burdens. They argue that the project, in its current form, is proving to be more of a bane than a boon.