Sumbal market suffering from official neglect, say traders

Bandipora, Jul 2: Traders and pedestrians continue to face difficulties in Sumbal market, which has long been witnessing official neglect, traders say.

According to traders, the issue of waterlogging caused by rain or snow has persisted for several years.

“It becomes tough to walk through the main market when it rains. Both shoppers and passers-by have to suffer immensely, besides the traders,” said Nazir Ahmad, president of Sumbal’s Traders’ Federation, while speaking to Greater Kashmir. He said the recurring waterlogging was a result of improper planning, as the market lacks a proper drainage system where rainwater could be discharged.

Although the administration presses dewatering pumps into service during heavy rains, Ahmad said that, on many occasions, the response is delayed. “We have made several representations to various departments and even to the Municipal Council, but nothing has materialised to resolve the issue,” he added. Ahmad mentioned that the Municipal Committee had once prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for a drainage system to address the problem, but it never saw the light of day. Traders added that the persistent waterlogging has also been damaging a nearby graveyard and a shrine adjacent to the market area.

Moreover, the fountains constructed at Sumbal’s main chowk in the market remain non-functional. “It is beyond our understanding why these fountains were constructed in the first place if they were never meant to serve any purpose,” Nasir Ahmad, a local businessman. “Forget about the years they’ve remained defunct — for this year at least, I haven’t seen them working even once,” he added. Shopkeepers are also annoyed with the electricity department, citing "erratic power supply" and dangerously tilted electric poles in the market, which pose a risk to life and property. “The wires dangle dangerously. The issue needs immediate attention,” the traders said. One of the main issues the traders said was that of a parking space.

The commuters said, they have to park their vehicles in the parking lot of CHC Sumbal, atleast 400 meters from the main Chowk.  "We demand a parking space near the market area so that both traders and shoppers don't have to suffer," Danish Ahmad, a businessman said. The traders appealed to the concerned departments and the government to address these long-pending civic issues without further delay.