Srinagar, May 25: The traders of Shahr-e-Khaas on Wednesday staged protest demonstrations against the bad road conditions in the old City.
 The traders from Nawakadal, Gratbal, Kawadara, Rajouri Kadal and adjacent areas took to streets as they kept their business establishments closed.
 The President of the Traders Union Rajouri Kadal, Ali Muhammad Dass told Greater Kashmir that residents and traders in Shahr-e-Khaas are fed up of bad road conditions, particularly of the Nallah Maar.
 “The dilapidated and uneven roads of around two kilometer stretch is causing immense inconvenience to the residents, commuters, and the business community,” he said while staging a roadside Dharna.
 “Several traders are suffering from the chest related disorders due to the dust,” said the president of Traders Union Kawdara, Riyaz Ahmad.
  “Despite repeated pleas for repairs no steps have been taken to improve the roads,” he added.
 The President of Traders Union Grattabal, Ghulam Muhammad said: “The roads in the areas of the Shahr-e-Khaas are worst than far-flung villages.”
 The traders said apart from this, one of the tubes of the Nallah Maar is closed for years due to construction of drain.
 The traders alleged that the Roads and Building department officials had been giving a deaf ear to the public woes.
 “Accidents have become a routine in the area… Moreover we have been facing financial loses,” the traders said.
 Finally a team of police officials led by SHO Safa Kadal pacified the protesters and facilitated their meeting with the R&B officials.
 “We tried to our best to pacify the protesters and get their grevances heard by the R&B officials,” the SP north Shokat Shah told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 IST