Srinagar, Aug 9: Failing to get assistance from the concerned authorities like the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the construction of Wuzu Khana (Ablution Point) at Regal Lane, the shopkeepers of this City centre marketplace volunteered to pool money and got the facility constructed.
 The Wuzu Khana and the adjoining lavatories have been constructed using some good sanitary ware.
 “We wanted to make a good Wuzu Khana so that people get proper place for ablution. This is why we didn’t hesitate to lay tiles the way one can afford for home,” the shopkeepers said.
 Leave apart the proprietors of shops in the area even the salesmen and motor vehicle mechanics pooled money for the construction.
 “We came up with a strategy to collect funds in a way that everyone could easily pay a nominal amount,” the volunteers said adding that the cleanliness is being maintained by the local traders.
 “Basically most of us offer Salah five times and it used to be time consuming to wait for turn at Masjid Wuzu Khanas so we though to construct a facility which not only we but others could also utilize,” the shopkeepers added.
 Given the ongoing Ramazan, a big number of people are seen waiting for their turn to perform ablution  at the Wuzu Khana.
 “This is really something worth appreciating that local traders have volunteered to construct such a nice facility… Others should also take a lesson from them,” said Syed Iqbal Khan of Raj Bagh who had come for shopping in the area.
 Pertinently there’s acute shortage of public conveniences particularly loos in the City as the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has miserably failed to provide the facility in various areas of the City.
 While the City centre has meagre number of lavatories, there’s no such facility in old Shahr-e-Khaas.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST