Srinagar, May 18:  In the congested City centre, which has no zebra crossings or other apparent decent means of pedestrian crossways, a tunnel beneath the Budshah Bridge can provide comfortable crossing, at least between busy Lal Chowk and Maisuma. But the tunnel has been so neglected that the authorities don’t even remember as to whether it ever existed or not.
 Till ‘80s, the tunnel used to provide a pedestrian connectivity in the busy area. But thereafter it has been in shambles particularly since the start of militancy when government closed it for “security reasons”.
 The unchecked increase in road level due to improper macadamization, on the other hand, proved last nail in the coffin as the tunnel entrance lost its proper height for human walk.
 Some six years back, taking the deserted tunnel as a “security threat”, the then Deputy Inspector General of Police central Kashmir range, Hemant Kumar Lohia as per sources, had got the tunnel cleaned.
 “Two to four constables would remain deployed at the two ends for security reasons,” said a police official in the district police.
 Since then even though people try to travel through the tunel,   its low entrance creates inconvenience.
 But as the fate had it, the tunnel was recently “rediscovered” at a high level meeting on traffic regulation, chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon.
 Sources privy to the April 26 meeting said the huge pedestrian movement on the Budshah Chowk, where thousands everyday make “hit-and-trial” to cross the road, was seen as a hindrance in the smooth flow of vehicles.
 And this was when the official who had got the tunnel cleaned spoke about the forgotten subway.
 Lohia, who for now happens happen to be the Inspector General of Police Traffic (IGP) informed the meeting that the tunnel could be used for public movement.
 Sources said the Divisional Commissioner was amazed to know that any such subway existed in the City.
 “Curiously, the meeting resolved that its reopening with improvement in height will be looked into on priority basis,” said a official privy to the meeting.
 “To make the tunnel regain its height, a few layers of macadamization need to be removed at the entrance where a slope can be made. Thereafter tiles can be laid and also some lighting needs to be done,” an engineer told Greater Kashmir.
 But till now the Roads and Building department has failed to take measures to make the tunnel properly usable.
 Pleading the failure, an R&B official said: “It wouldn’t  be possible to improve the height of the tunnel now.”
 Despite repeated attempts the R&B Chief Engineer didn’t respond to phone calls.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 IST