Waris Ramzan
Srinagar, 03 June (Gulistan News) : In North Kashmir’s Baramulla District Shopkeepers of main market Pattan , a vital commercial hub Shopkeepers, are expressing concern over the long-delayed beautification and renovation work. As per the locals delay continues despite recent assurances and the formation of a supervisory committee. The market continues to suffer from poor infrastructure, including a lack of proper drainage and an inadequate parking system, which severely impacts businesses and hinders difficulty in shopping, especially during rainfall.
From many years now , the promise of beautification has been extended to the shopkeepers. “We have been waiting for the beautification and renovation work of our main market ,since a long time stated by a local shopkeeper Gh. Hassan.
“Every year we are assured that the work will start by next March, but it seems to be a dream for me now.”
Another shopkeeper, Anas, said the severe disruption to their livelihoods: “When it’s raining, we have to close our shops as the market drenches in water; there is no drainage system to store this water.” Adding to the markets problems, “there is no parking system where people can park their vehicles so they can do shopping with ease”.
A local shopkeeper, Ali Mohammad said “We have no permission to construct second stories in the main market from the municipality,” expressing hope that “after the said beautification and renovation is done, we will be allowed to renovate our shops too.”
An official from R&B Department stated that the beautification of the main town Pattan will take place in a phased manner.”In the first phase, funds totalling Rupees 104.84 lac have been allocated. This phase will cover approximately 3 kilometres, from the entry point at Zangam to the exit point at ITI Pattan. The first phase includes work on footpaths, the drainage system, Retaining walls,tile work, signboards, plantation, and roadside parking bays.
The total cost for the Second phase is estimated at approximately about 8 Crores .The second phase includes work on the alignment of electric poles, shifting of water pipes, construction of footpaths, macadamization of roads within the jurisdiction of Municipal Committee Pattan, plantation, construction of passenger sheds, a drainage system, street lighting, parking bays, and water points. Funds for the second phase have not yet been approved”.
Responding to the issue MLA Pattan,Javed Riyaz Bedar ,”assured that work for the first phase will begin soon as the funds have already been released. For the second phase, a committee has been formed by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla .This committee will work under the supervision of the SDM Pattan and it includes representatives from all the concerned departments to ensure the work is done efficiently.” (Gulistan News).
