Traders decry slow pace of Smart City works in city centre markets

Srinagar, Feb 12: Traders of various markets of city centre areas today expressed concern over what they said slow pace of Smart City works, encroachment of roads by vendors and lack of parking facilities.

To raise their voice against problems confronting their businesses, aggrieved traders held a press conference at Sarai Balla.  The Goni-Khan Trades Association organised the press conference with traders of Maharaja Bazar, Alsafa Market, Bazazi Market, Hari Singh High Street, and heads of masjid committees.

Addressing media persons, Manzoor Malik, general secretary of the Goni Khan market, said that the host of issues confronting traders forced them to hold press conference. He said issues like the slow pace of Smart City works, and encroachment by vendors have led to a major decline in their business.

“We have been facing multiple issues for years now which have suffocated the business space in these markets. One of the primary issues is the vendor issue. The vendors have occupied the entry and exit points at Goni Khan and adjoining markets, which has crippled access to our shops. We want authorities to relocate vendors or find any other way so that both the shopkeepers and the vendors can carry on their business,” Malik said.

The traders also highlighted the issue of slow pace of Smart City works. They said the senior officials should check the pace and the quality of the work being done in these markets. They said the traders cooperated, expecting speedy work, which did not happen.

“The slow pace of work has crippled the markets. There is no major beautification or underground wiring that was promised in a time-bound manner. Let alone major projects, we don’t have a washroom in our markets, and our shoppers, especially females, are suffering,” he added.

The traders said that the lack of parking has been pestering them for a long time. He said that the Smart City officials are not moving beyond the identification of the parking lots.

“On the ground, no practical work has been done so far. We already have a minimal footfall of shoppers, and lack of parking space adds to that,” Malik added.

The traders said that they have coordinated with all the market heads and other organisations on the issue. “If the government does not take the matter seriously, we would have no other way than to stage protest,” he said.

“Our business has suffered a lot, and we have come to a stage where many of us are thinking of shutting down the decades-old business units. If our matter is not resolved, we will hold a peaceful protest within the ambit of our rights,” they said.

In the joint press conference, the traders appealed to the Lieutenants Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and address their issues.