Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Oct 15 (KINS): Uncovered side drains along both sides of several by-lanes in Bemina have become a source of inconvenience and concern for residents, who say they pose problems for pedestrians, children and elderly people.
Residents said the uncovered side drains running along residential lanes make everyday movement difficult, particularly during rainy weather, when water accumulation and slippery surfaces add to their difficulties.
They said pedestrians using these lanes have to remain cautious while walking alongside the uncovered drains, especially after sunset when visibility is poor.
“The by-lanes are used by residents throughout the day, including children going to school and elderly people stepping out for their daily needs. Uncovered side drains along these lanes make movement difficult, and the risk increases when it rains or visibility is poor,” Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Bemina, told the news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Another resident said the problem becomes more serious during wet weather, when rainwater collects along the edges of narrow lanes, leaving pedestrians with limited space to walk.
“We have to be careful every time we walk through these lanes. The authorities should inspect the uncovered side drains and ensure that proper covers are installed wherever required. Residents should not have to live with this problem for months,” the resident said.
Residents said uncovered side drains also raise concerns about sanitation, as household waste and other material can accumulate in them, obstructing water flow and creating unhygienic conditions.
They added that inadequate maintenance could further aggravate the situation during rainfall, when the proper flow of water through the side drains is essential to prevent waterlogging in residential lanes.
The residents urged the concerned authorities to inspect the uncovered side drains along Bemina’s by-lanes, identify stretches requiring immediate attention and undertake necessary repairs and covering work.
They also called for regular cleaning and desilting, stressing that installing covers alone would not resolve the problem unless the drains were properly maintained.
Residents have sought intervention from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and other concerned agencies, urging them to address the issue and prioritise the maintenance of side drains along residential by-lanes.
They appealed to the authorities to visit the affected lanes, assess the condition of the uncovered side drains and initiate corrective measures without delay. (KINS)
