Srinagar, Aug 4: Huge heaps of construction material junk and other waste near the entrance of Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta mock at the coalition government claims that “extra attention will be paid towards the development of Shahr-e-Khaas.”
 Failure of the authorities to get the junk cleared and also to provide “extra facilities like standby water tankers for Musaleees” at the historic Masjid during the Holy month of Ramazan has drawn severe flak from the locals including the traders’ fraternity.
 Reports said the construction material waste, mostly of the houses which were gutted in a devastating fire a month back, has been dumped outside the Jamia Masjid exactly at the site which leads to the Masjid entrance.
 The locals said despite repeated appeals the authorities failed to get it cleared.
 But the junk heaps at the Masjid entrance, the locals said, isn’t the only problem.
 “During Ramazan, the authorities used to keep a water tanker standby outside the Jamia Masjid so that in case of need it could be utilized,. But this year there are no such facilities,” the locals said.
 The President of Jamia Masjid Market, Javed Ahmed Zargar said the authorities didn’t even bother to draw Choona lines in the area.
 “At-least Choona would give an impression of preparedness towards the assemblage which the Jamia witnesses during the holy month of Ramazan,” he added.
 A shopkeeper said the trash heaps in the neighbourhood had affected the parking facilities for the potential shoppers.
 “Given the shortage of space in this congested area, people would park their vehicles at the place which unfortunately for now has turned into a junkyard of construction material… This has affected our business as customers shy away form coming here,” the shopkeeper added.
 He said the government had failed to provide requisite attention towards the development of the Jamia Masjid area, often termed as jugular vein of Shahr-e-Khaas.
 “It’s presumably because we have been steadfast towards our Azadi sentiment,” said group of locals while pointing towards defunct drains in the area.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST