Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, hasa long and rich history. With unique architecture, distinct culture, colorfultraditions, and honeyed linguistic aspects Srinagar by all standards is amomentous city with layers of historic treasure blended over centuries. Witnessto many rulers with different backgrounds, linages and descriptions Srinagarhas experienced all sort of unkindness, brutality with some patches of peaceand tranquility. However, this greatcity has survived every onslaught gracefully. It has for centuries stood rockhard against cultural invasions. But it seems the city is crumbling under itsburdens now. Its architecture that has evolved over centuries to sustain weathervagaries and seismic disturbances is fast changing for the worst. Culturalpollution and linguistic incursion have created confusion.
Anyways, withoutdisturbing the layers of history, vistas of culture and going deep into thegenesis of Srinagar’s rise and possible fall at present even the survival ofthis city look less hopeful. The unplanned and wild expansion of the cityduring the last several decades has robbed it of its sheen and beauty thatwould once attract the people from far-off places. Earlier known for itsgardens, water bodies, and charming seasons Srinagar is fast turning into aconcrete slum that has become vulnerable to floods and public breakdown. Dallake and Srinagar city have been complementing each other’s existence for ages.But the present status of Dal will advance the doom of this city. Dal isinching towards death, and so is the Sun-city—Srinagar. The 2014 flood ifstudied on a critical scale has many lessons for Kashmir and itsadministrators. Srinagar, the focal point of Kashmir valley, was worst hit bythese floods. However, after more than four years nothing tangible has beendone to save this city from the fury of possible floods. The only experienceSrinagar city dwellers have mastered are encroachments, civic violations, andexceptional materialism. The city managers were not far behind in this loot.They also laid their hands on a proverbial treasure-trove at the cost ofsustenance and existence of Srinagar. At present, it appears floods nevervisited this city—all hunky-dory! But in reality, after the extinction ofalmost all water basins in the vicinity of Srinagar, irreparable damage to soilcover particularly in the catchments and unabated encroachments Srinagar isdangerously placed on ticking timebomb that will wash away its all life andprosperity anytime.
While sleeping over the issues of gradual decay anddegradation, the city suffers from mismanagement and stands neglectedespecially by its inhabitants. The civic status of Srinagar is almost at thelowest with choking drainage and crumbling sewerage system, particularly afterthe 2014 floods. Solid waste management is more than primitive and shortly willbe the biggest challenge for the city authorities. Stray dogs have virtuallytaken over the city and practically run a parallel authority of their own. At present garbage and dogs are the mostprominent but unpleasant features of this once most beautiful and clean city.The electricity distribution within the city limits and the potable watermanagement system can collapse anytime as these are unable to handle thehaphazard and mushroom growth. Blatant violation of land use and building normswill soon turn the city into a death trap that no disaster management protocolcan manage. The seismic grading and looming floods otherwise demand betterplanning and infrastructure development.
Srinagar traffic scenario can be termed one of the worst inthe contemporary era of modernization and development. The situation getscompounded with the behavior of the drivers and commuters. And in this muddlepedestrians are the worst hit. A few decades earlier mostly Tongas andpedestrians had exclusive rights on Srinagar roads, but now it is a differentstory of confusion on roads. With thousands of vehicles and hundreds of street vendors,the traffic mess makes the city to shake with rude footfall and the toxicemissions. At peak hours the city roads get choked with traffic and extremelypolluted with harmful gases. With almost negligible parking space city roadshave turned messy with every passing day. For lack of cohesive multi-prongedtraffic management policy, there seems no end to traffic chaos in the nearfuture. The once fashionable residencyroad and the ‘Bund’ are no more prominent addresses. Boulevard that wouldearlier serve as a gallery for Dal visitors has turned into hardest Srinagarstreet.
The ever-changing masterplans for Srinagar have failed tocomprehend and cope up with the population explosion and uncontrolleddevelopment of the city. The situation always became worst with politicalinterference and manipulations. The present administrative dispensation withabsolute authority can take the best decisions for the survival of thishistoric city and mitigate the existing issues to make it worth to live for itspoor inhabitants away from the prying gaze of materialistic exploiters. It willbe a great service to the city and its people.