SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Traders Alliance (KTA) has expressed concern over the poor pace of work on smart city projects in Srinagar, claiming that people are suffering as a result of the slow pace of implementation.
Aijaz Shahdhar, President of the KTA, in a statement said that while senior authorities have repeatedly stated that the smart city projects will be finished on schedule.
“On the ground, however, it appears that these projects will take a long time to complete. Karan Nagar has currently become a swamp due to the poor pace of project implementation since its beginnings. Not only the main road outside the premier healthcare institution SMHS is in shambles but even link roads are blocked in Karan Nagar due to the smart city works,” he said.
He said the rains in Srinagar have turned the city roads into cesspool and that the incomplete smart city projects have added to the mess. “Roads are full of potholes at many places where the works are going on and now with rain they have turned into cesspools,” he said.
Shahdhar said the administration should take note of matters of why the pace of work has slowed down post-G-20 summit in Srinagar.
“KTA urges the LG administration, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, CEO Smart city to look into the matter and pass directions to the concerned officers to speed up the works so that the people won’t suffer anymore,” he said.

KR Desk