Srinagar, Oct 30: Want to see how concerned the state government is towards its “pledge of reviving lost glory” of Shaher-e-Khaas? Well, a visit to Kalwaal Mohalla, Rainawari in the old City could give you some picture of how deep, filthy, uncovered drains flow next to residential houses and the roads are bad enough to add up to the mess.
 The residents of this Mohalla are up in arms against the government for allegedly failing to provide them the basic amenities of life even as they narrated their tale.

DILAPIDATED ROADS
 The residents said the dilapidated roads have been putting them to inconvenience for past several years.  And the onset of wet season has again furthered their worries.
 Fayaz Ahmad a local said: “We find it inconvenient even to venture out for procurement of commodities of daily needs during rains as the streets remain inundated”.
 He added there was every possibility to slipping down on the uneven roads adding that many have already “fallen prey to this ground reality.”

INCOMPLETE DRAINS
 The locals said at least six months ago UEED started drainage construction work  in the area. “Since then we are facing lot of hardships walking over uneven roads which have been dug up as if never to be repaired,” said a local Ghulam Muhammad Jath.
 He accused the project executing agency of keeping the work incomplete.
 While pointing towards the sanitation pipe coming out his house, Jath said: “Even though all such pipe lines have been connected with main drain, our two house (me and my neighbour) haven’t been connected,” Jath added.
 The Srinagarite alleged that the drainage could fail if all the pipes aren’t connected to the main system.
 Moreover the locals said the “old big drain” in the area gets frequently blocked thereby causing dampness in nearby residential houses and their compound walls.
 The locals demanded “proper covering” of the drains. “There is every possibility that one can fall into such steep and uncovered drains,” the residents said.

TRADERS IRKED
 The shopkeepers of the area said plumes of dust which rise from the dilapidated roads have affected their business. “The colony roads are lying dilapidated condition for the several years because of which our business in red as customers avoid coming to such dusty areas,” said Haji Ghulam Muhammad who runs a hardware shop in the area.
 “Billows of dust emanate all day and we can’t properly showcase our goods but have to cover them,” said Mehraj-ud-Din, a shopkeeper.
 Muhammad Sultan Gujree a milkman said: “We faced lot of hardships due to dilapidated roads and dust it gives rise to.”
  “I have to keep cheese and milk pot covered in white cloth,” he added.
 The traders said like the business their health too was getting affected due to the dusty conditions.

RISKY SLANTING POLE
 A seemingly weird electric pole in the area has been risking the life of the people. The pole has slanted while the Power Development Department looks unmoved. This pole damaged the compound wall of Muhammad Ismail son of Muhammad Abdullah.
 “Despite making complaints before the concerned authorities nothing was done by the department and finally we tried our lot by giving some support to the electric pole. But the fact remains that it still slants to make the risk loom large,” said Ghulam Rasool a local adding there are no streetlights in the area.
 The locals accused the local MLA of failing to develop the area. They appealed Mubarak Gul Advisor to Chief Minister to look into the matter.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST