Srinagar, Mar 17: The shopkeepers of historic Lal Chowk are up in arms against the narrowing of the main road for landscaping between Ghanta Ghar and erstwhile Palladium Cinema site saying the beautification would be detrimental for the marketplace business.
 The shopkeepers of Ghanda Singh Building and Sanathan Dhram Pratabh Sabha Building, who have been running the business for around a century, said they were never taken into confidence for beautification of the area.
 “We are amongst the oldest traders in the City than to talk of Lal Chowk alone but we weren’t taken into confidence and the sudden start of this illogical work came as a bolt from the blue,” the traders said.
 The traders of the twin buildings, upper stories of which were gutted in early ‘90s, said they would be the worst sufferers as their side of the road is being landscaped.
 Pertinently, on January 15, as a goodwill gesture, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had granted Rs two crore for the Lal Chowk facelift and directed the authorities to spend the money judiciously on the development.
 But the authorities devised the plan to narrow the main road from its 100 odd feet width to half, only to landscape the remaining road and fence it.
 This beautification could deprive road access to shopkeepers on the east near the Ghanta Ghar.
 Now, even though the authorities are learnt to be willing to give a 12 feet track to the “worst affected” side, the traders have rejected the offer.
 “The other side is being given a 48 feet two way lane. Let we also be given the same road width,” the traders said.
 The traders said the park in the middle of the road wouldn’t serve any purpose but only provide a safe heaven for drunkards and drug addicts.
 “Every morning we find scores of empty liquor bottles on the main road. Once a park is constructed, such mischievous elements will get a place to sit and booze,” the traders said.
 Referring to the historic speeches at the site by stalwarts like Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Pandit Jawahir Lal Nehru, the traders said, the place would loose its significance is the beautification.
 “History is testimony to the fact that even the PA system used for the speech was provided by a local shop, which for now is feared to be hit by narrowing of the road,” the traders said.
 The traders suggested that instead of “wasting money” on roadside landscaping, the money could be spend on developments like repairs of the Ghanda Singh Building and Sanathan Dhram Pratabh Sabha Buildings.
 “These are heritage buildings of the Maharaja era that need to renovated on priority basis,” they opined.
 Referring to the Chief Minister’s endeavour of making a special grant for the City centre beautification, the traders said: “We request the Chief Minister to personally visit the place as Lal Chowk is of historic importance and he has been kind enough to give the money for its development.”
 The aggrieved shopkeepers also appealed the Traders Federation to “come to their rescue.”

WIDENING LOGIC
● Road narrowing and fencing will leave little space to run-for-cover in case of firing or explosions in the marketplace
● Will deprive the commercial hub of decent road access
● The historic site which has been witness to speeches of stalwarts like Shiekh Muhammad Abdullah and Pandit Jawahir Lal Nehru, will loose essence
● If 48 feet road is being given to east, same be given for west side of Ghanta Ghar
● Why a park in the middle of the road when there’s one at Partabh Park
(Source Lal Chowk Traders of Ghanda Singh, and Sanathan Dhram Pratabh Sabha Building)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST