Srinagar, 16 June Commuters in the summer capital are quite frustrated with the slow progress of the Smart City Project.
Workers on the Smart City Project reported a slowdown in activity after the G20 summit. Srinagar was given a quick facelift in preparation for the G20 summit.
Lal Chowk is a major location that has suffered since construction has been moving so slowly. There have been holdups in the restoration of the mediaeval clock tower Ghanta Ghar as well. The walkways connecting Regal Chowk and Ghanta Ghar remain unfinished as of yet. There has also been a pause in ongoing construction along the banks of the Jhelum.
It has been reported that “inclement weather” is the main cause of the present delays in the Srinagar Smart City project.
While Srinagar Smart City Project Chief Engineer Iftikhar Kakroo assured Greater Kashmir that preparations have not slowed down for the G20 summit, he did say that certain projects were prioritised and finished in advance of the summit. Kakroo said that the bad weather had slowed down numerous current projects.
He said that before the end of the year, “we have to complete some projects like Batamaloo market, Jahangir Chowk, Phase 2 of Nishat cycling track, Dalgate-Gojwara stretch,” among others.
Kakroo went on to emphasise how, despite the difficulties, the Smart City initiative is still highly valued by the city government. He assured them that they were working to “overcome the delays caused by the inclement weather” and speed up the completion of the outstanding tasks.
The goal of the Batamaloo market project is to modernise the market so that locals and visitors alike have a better shopping experience.
Similar efforts are being made to reduce traffic and improve pedestrian safety at one of the city’s busiest junctions, Jahangir Chowk.
In its second iteration, the Nishat cycle track seeks to increase the city’s current bike infrastructure, therefore fostering a more sustainable means of transportation and inspiring a more active lifestyle among the local populace.
Finally, the Dalgate-Gojwara stretch project hopes to improve infrastructure and connections along this vital route so that commuters have an easier time getting where they need to go.
