Srinagar, Dec 4: Once famed Zaina Kadal market, which used to be abuzz with business activities is struggling for existence due to apparent neglect towards this Shahr-e-Khaas area.
 The market, as per the area traders, lacks proper road connectivity and parking lots. And, as if this wasn’t enough the allegedly fragile power network, which hasn’t been upgraded for decades, makes visit to this area risky.

POOR ROAD CONNECTIVITY
 At a time when even two lane roads are unable to tackle the huge traffic rush in the City, mere single narrow lane connects this market in the congested area with the rest of the summer Capital.
 And this road too remains chocked due to presence of vehicles parked by shoppers coming to the area.
 The Traders Federation Shahr-e-Khaas President Nazir Ahmed Shah said the fraternity many a times apprised the government about the “step-motherly treatment meted with this area.”
 “We have been moving pillar to post seeking proper road connectivity so that shoppers don’t shy away from this area, which in the past used to remain a choice venue for shopping,” Nazir told Greater Kashmir.
 He said apart from the road connectivity, parking was a big problem in the area.
 “There’s virtually no parking space in the area and people are left with no options but to park their cabs on the roads and all this leads to nothing but traffic mess,” said a group of shopkeepers while pointing towards gridlock of vehicles on the road.
 The traders said the space for parking in this congested area could be carved out by dismantling of some dilapidated, uninhabited houses.
 “We had even identified such uninhabited houses, which if removed can pave way for road widening/ parking lots,” the Traders Federation Shahr-e-Khaas President said.

FRAGILE POWER NETWORK
 As if the poor road connectivity wasn’t enough that the power transmission lines, which criss-cross the roads, are in shambles.
 This is what one could infer from looking towards the old wooden poles which have not only decayed but some of them have lost half their vital portion. Some poles are literally hanging like transmission lines.
 Apart from the traders, the locals said there was a dire need to upgrade the power infrastructure in the area.
 “If millions of rupees can be spent on installation and reinstallation of meters in south City, why is downtown being ignored even for upgradation of fragile power network?” the residents asked while pointing towards decayed poles.

DILAPIDATED LANES
 The residents of this area said no attention was being paid towards the narrow lanes locally called Kochas.
 “It’s really difficult to walk down these uneven Kochas which haven’t been repaired for years,” the residents said.
 Observers said the repairs should be done in accordance with the historic significance of these walkways.

POOR SANITATION
 There’s also a need to improve sanitation in the area as no dustbins are installed anywhere.
 “If plastic dustbins can be installed elsewhere in the City, why our area is being ignored?” the traders asked adding it speaks volumes  of neglect towards the sanitation in the area.
 Taking a dig at Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the locals said the civic body had failed to keep the area clean.
 “How can an area remain clean in the absence of dustbins?” they argued.

BOTTOMLINE
 While the National Conference led government claims that extra attention was being paid towards the development of old City, the plight of power network and absence of parking lots reveal a different story in Zaina Kadal!

Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST