Srinagar, May 6: Shahr-e-Khaas has been left behind on the developmental front with people accusing the state government of being callous towards the densely populated old City.
 With majority of City dwellers living in this part of Srinagar, amenities like  the sanitation, roads and public transport are troubling them.
 The residents of places including Habbakadal, Nallahmar, Gaw Kadal, Basant Bagh, Nai Sadak, Fateh Kadal and Khanqah Mohalla said they are worst affected.
 “In past these areas were hub of trade and commerce in entire Kashmir Valley.  But presently it portrays negligence and carelessness of state government. The shabby look and stink is evident here,” said Bashir Ahmad of Habba Kadal.
 Bashir complained that interior roads have never been widened in these areas.
 A group of residents and traders from the area told Greater Kashmir that they were facing immense inconvenience due to non-availability of proper public transport facility.
 “This area is cut off from Lal Chowk. We approached authorities to restore bus service area but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” they said.
 Ghulam Muhammad Mir of Maharaj Gunj said: “Since my childhood there has not been an inch of widening on this road… It’s difficult for visitors to bring their vehicles along in this market.”
 Similar views were echoed by traders of adjoining Rajouri Kadal who said:
 “Due to absence of proper road surface our business has gone down drastically.”
 “We have been appealing the government to develop this historic place but our demand is pending for years,” they said adding the business of over 200 shopkeepers has been hit as customers hardly visit the marketplace.
 “If things don’t improve we’ll be left with no options but to stage roadside protests.”
 At Nallahmar road, people accused the government of delaying the road repairs even though it witnesses huge traffic flow.
 “Only one of the two lanes are operational from Nawakadal-Rajouri Kadal due to ongoing drainage work. They (government) are deliberately putting us to inconvenience by delaying the work,” the residents said.
 When contacted Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon admitted lack of sanitation in the Shahr-e-Khaas saying: “Srinagar Municipal Corporation is going slow especially during tourist season … I am not happy with it.”
 He said public transport was available at places like Habba Kadal and the same could be improved further by pressing into service SRTC buses “if need arises.”
 Besides he said the ongoing developmental works would soon be completed due to improvement in weather.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 May 2011 00:00:00 IST