Srinagar Smart City Project Faces Backlash After Dal Lake Footpath Collapse
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 30 July 2025
When “Smart” Turns Unsafe: A City’s Vision Undermined by Shoddy Execution
In a disturbing turn of events, Srinagar’s Smart City project—once hailed as a symbol of modernization and eco-urban living—is now being accused of compromising public safety and environmental health. The latest flashpoint? A portion of the newly renovated footpath near Ghat No. 17 on Boulevard Road collapsed straight into Dal Lake, narrowly missing pedestrians and sparking public outrage.
Footpaths That Fail: Not Just an Inconvenience, But a Danger
What was meant to beautify and modernize Srinagar is instead becoming a hazard:
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Cracked pillars and loose, unstable tiles dot pedestrian zones.
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Locals report daily mishaps—from minor stumbles to serious injuries.
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Aesthetic facades have been prioritized over foundational strength.
One local resident summed it up:
“They made it look good for the photos, but it crumbles under our feet.”
The Root of the Problem: Cosmetic Urbanism?
Officials have quietly admitted what many already suspected:
“Several footpaths were structurally outdated and only cosmetically treated under the Smart City initiative.”
Instead of rebuilding or reinforcing aging pathways, the administration allegedly resurfaced them, hoping appearance alone would suffice.
The collapse into Dal Lake isn’t an isolated incident—it’s the symptom of systemic neglect.
Environmental Collateral: Dal Lake Pays the Price
Beyond the risk to human life, the collapse has added yet another layer to Dal Lake’s mounting ecological stress:
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Broken tiles and debris now litter the lakebed.
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Environmental activists warn of increased sedimentation, water pollution, and disruption of aquatic life.
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The incident exposes a glaring lack of coordination between urban planning and environmental protection agencies.
Was there no environmental clearance or post-construction audit?
The Accountability Vacuum: Who Pays for This?
As visuals of the collapse went viral, public backlash surged:
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Residents have accused authorities of corruption, poor oversight, and outsourcing contracts to unqualified firms.
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NC spokesperson Tanveer Sadiq visited the site and called the collapse “a civic disgrace,” demanding a high-level probe and swift corrective action.
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The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar has been urged to launch an immediate investigation.
Despite these calls, no official has been held accountable yet.
Beyond Pavement: The Deeper Problem with “Smart” Projects
This isn’t just about a broken footpath—it’s about what “smart” means in the context of governance:
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Lack of public consultation in planning.
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Focus on visuals over durability.
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Poor contractor vetting and absence of third-party audits.
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Short-term optics over long-term sustainability.
A truly smart city is one where infrastructure is safe, inclusive, and environmentally sensitive—not just Instagram-worthy.
What Needs to Happen Now: A 5-Point Citizens’ Charter
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Immediate Structural Audit: All Smart City footpaths and pedestrian zones must undergo a third-party safety and structural review.
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Transparency in Contracts: Public disclosure of contractors, budgets, and timelines for ongoing and completed works.
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Environmental Oversight: Mandatory collaboration with environmental bodies before and after lakeside or ecologically sensitive construction.
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Grievance Redress Portal: An accessible platform where citizens can report faults and track their redressal in real time.
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Accountability Framework: Strict penalties for negligent contractors and complicit officials—financial and legal.
A City Speaks, Will Governance Listen?
The incident near Ghat 17 is not an engineering flaw—it’s a governance failure. The people of Srinagar deserve infrastructure that supports life, not endangers it. As monsoons and winter approach, these poorly built structures may become even more dangerous.
Srinagar doesn’t need beautification alone.
It needs resilient, people-first urban planning.
