Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Jan 7 (KINS): In an example of official apathy, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed to clear the snow from roads for last four days, bringing huge inconveniences to the people.
Kashmir has witnessed season’s major snow fall which has thrown life out of gear.
However, the slow response from Srinagar Municipal Corporation to clear the snow for last four days has drawn flak from the people.
“Authorities have pulled up the SMC officials for failing to clear snow from the roads,” an official of SMC told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS). The official said Jammu Municipal Corporation has been main focus of the government. “Unlike winter capital where administration is showing very much interest to address issues of people, very less attention is being paid towards SMC. There seems no accountability neither authorities seem bothered about inconveniences of people,” the official added.
People of Srinagar are aghast over SMC as the main roads have not been cleared even after four days.
“Even main road has not been cleared properly don’t talk about interior roads. There is totally mess and failure of the authorities,” Mohammad Sharief, a resident of Lal Bazaar said.
“The interior roads at Karan Nagar are still covered with snow. No one has come here to clear the snow,” said Asma Jan, a college girl student.
She said they are stuck inside their homes as they are not able to take their vehicles out.
Similarly, the roads leading to SKIMS Soura, Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla, JVC Bemina have not been cleared properly.
In Old City Srinagar, the roads at Khanyar, Nowhatta are full of slush and water. “No one came here to clear snow from interior roads here. It is the first time I am seeing the administration very lackadaisical in its approach,” said Mehak Jan, a house wife.
Locals termed the assurances given by the government regarding the early restoration of electricity and clearing of roads as baseless.
“People have been suffering terribly due to the absence of electricity. Roads have not been cleared yet,” said Mohammad Amin, a resident of Nishat. The non-clearance of snow has also led to disruption in supplies of commodities like vegetables, milk and other essentials. There was also a thin attendance of employees in government and private offices for last four days as they could not reach to their offices due to accumulation of snow. Very less traffic was plying on the roads.
To defend the SMC, its Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu Thursday said they have only 15 JCBs and loaders to clear 15,000 lanes across Srinagar.
He said it was embarrassing to see the SMC men clearing snow with shovels.
He admitted that response by the three departments including Mechanical Engineering department, Roads and Building and SMC could have been better.
“I will also write a letter to Lieutenant Governor to ascertain why it took a long to clear the snow on roads,” he said. (KINS)
