Authorities have failed to clean heaps of garbage from vicinity of several shrines located in downtown area of Srinagar, drawing people ire.
The situation has now forced locals and devotees to volunteer for cleanliness drive at these shrines, much to the embarrassment of government authorities.
At revered shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA), the garbage littered on roads catch eye of every passerby.
"It pains us to see such filthy condition around this shrine," said a passerby.
People living in nearby Khayam area expressed resentment over dumping of garbage on road. "It not only hampers traffic movement but also psoe a health risk," said a local Muhammad Subhan.
The situation is alike around shrine of Naqashband Sahib (RA). While authorities are carrying out repair works on portion of the shrine there is no urgency shown to regularly clear its premises of construction waste.
"If the condition around the shrine is so pathetic one can only imagine the situation across the city," said a devotee at the shrine.
The scene of garbage littered on roads and by-lanes connecting to Khanqah-e-Mouvla shrine also raise questions about claims of sanitation drives carried out by Srinagar Municipal Commission (SMC) and other agencies.
"We have been forced to step in to keep the area clean. We are also mulling to rope in volunteers from adjoining localities in this drive," said a group of locals outside the shrine.
Muhammad Amin, a devotee at Makhdoom Sahib shrine alleged that the authorities only undertake "cosmetic measures" as far as keeping the surrounding around the shrine is concerned.
Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, located at foothills of Hari Parbat has two approaches – one from Hawal side and another from Rainawari side. Both the approach roads remain littered with debris, as per devotees.
Locals accused Srinagar SMC of failing to maintain sanitation in the vicinity and adjoining areas of these shrines.
Wakf Board executive engineer Tariq Ahmad said poor sanitation was result of "dereliction of duty by SMC. We are going to take up the matter with them soon officials," he said.
