Srinagar, Sep 17: The famed Zaina Kadal marketplace in Shaher-e-Khaas which would witness a hustle-bustle of shoppers particularly during the ongoing marriage season is in the red this year while shopkeepers say that the business has gone down by around 75%. Courtesy: delay in repairs of the old Zaina Kadal bridge because of which public movement in this congested area is badly affected.
 While the government says the repair work was being done on “war footing”, the traders said it was on at “snail’s pace.” If sources are to be believed the work may stretch to next year even though it was scheduled to be completed by autumn.

SHOPKEEPERS SPEAK
 The shopkeepers said the work was scheduled to be completed by October. “But given the pace of work, it may take years together,” said Zaina Kadal Traders Federation  President Nazir Ahmed Shah adding that the business in the marketplace this season remained down by around 75 %.
 “Customers avoid coming to this place because of the bridge repairs as the entire flow of vehicles is diverted onto the congested nearby bridge where traffic jams have become a routine,” Shah said.
 He said the shopkeepers towards the left of Jhelum and those putting up close to the old Zaina Kadal bridge were worst hit.
 He, however, said even though concerned MLA and Cabinet Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar was “taking keen interest in the bridge work, officials don’t tell him the true picture.”

THE SLOW WORK
 When this reporter visited the bridge site, only two carpenters could be seen cutting a wood log whereas a few labourers were working on the other bank.
 For now the entire bridge surface has been peeled-off while officials said many wooden girders would have to be replaced to increase the strength.
 “But the way work is being carried out, it might two more years to complete,” the shopkeepers said.
 A delegation of shopkeepers who assembled on the bridge, appealed Ali Muhammad Sagar to personally visit the area to get a know how of the ground reality.

OFFICIALS SPEAK
 The Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC), which is undertaking the bridge repairs, however pleaded the slow work.
 “Getting prized deodar and skilled labour to chisel it according to requirement is very difficult. Still we are trying to complete it,” said a JKPCC official associated with the work.
 The insiders however said: “There’s no chance of work getting completed this year.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST