Failure of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to remove encroachments from footpaths in Srinagar is taking a heavy toll on pedestrians.In absence of regulation, footpaths across the summer capital have been occupied by street vendors. The problem is severe is city centre areas including Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Amira Kadal and Batamaloo.
At Ghanta Ghar, the street vendors have even occupied roadsides hampering smooth flow of vehicular movement. “It is ironical that vendors have occupied both sides of footpath at Lal Chowk. There is hardly any space to walk on footpaths. If this is the condition in Srinagar’s commercial hub, the situation in other areas can be imagined,” said a group of commuters.
“Encroachments of footpaths on Amira Kadal forces the pedestrians to walk on bridge. This poses risk of accidents to the commuters,” Abdul Hamid, a commuter said.
Though after taking over as SMC Commissioner, Bashir Ahmad Khan in February had announced to launch a drive to remove encroachments from footpaths, but no action has been taken so far.
