Mufti seeks exclusive budget for Srinagar to tackle old city crisis and heritage decay
SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 4: Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister, on Tuesday strongly pitched for a separate and dedicated budgetary allocation for Srinagar city to effectively address its growing developmental and civic challenges, with particular emphasis on the neglected old city areas.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Mufti said the historic core of the city is burdened with multiple long-standing problems, including severe congestion, inadequate drainage, crumbling lanes, fragile infrastructure and the urgent requirement of systematic heritage conservation.
“The old city is facing a number of serious difficulties. I urge the Government that Srinagar must have a separate budget so that the issues confronting the people can be addressed in a focused and effective manner,” Mufti said.
She maintained that earmarked funding would allow authorities to undertake comprehensive planning to ease congestion, upgrade drainage networks, widen and repair narrow lanes and protect heritage structures, while simultaneously ensuring overall urban development.
Taking a swipe at the implementation of the Smart City project, Mufti alleged that the initiative has failed to bring meaningful relief to residents. She called on the Government to review the project and rectify the shortcomings that, she said, continue to trouble people on the ground.
“The Smart City project has not been of any real benefit. The Government should revisit it and address the bottlenecks and practical problems faced by citizens,” she asserted.
Highlighting Srinagar’s immense tourism potential, the PDP chief stressed the need to revive and diversify the sector, proposing that the city be developed as a wedding destination to generate employment and boost the local economy.
“Srinagar is deeply connected with tourism. Places like Pari Mahal, Char Chinari and several other locations can be developed as wedding destinations, which will open up new livelihood opportunities for many people,” she said.
Expressing concern over rising unemployment, particularly among youth, Mufti urged the Chief Minister to introduce exclusive skill development programmes for Srinagar and to link colleges with dedicated skill development centres. She also called for employment schemes on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) to create jobs at the local level.
On the issue of undertrial prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir, especially from Srinagar, lodged in jails outside the Union Territory, Mufti appealed to the Centre to grant them parole or facilitate their transfer back to J&K on humanitarian grounds.
Raising the concerns of traders in the Makkah Market, she said they should be extended the same facilities and rights as other shopkeepers in the city, adding that discrimination against any section of traders is unacceptable.
Mufti also flagged the growing mental health challenges in society, urging people to shed the stigma associated with such issues and seek timely professional help.
Condemning incidents of attacks on Kashmiris in different parts of the country, Mufti said mere statements of condemnation are insufficient. “Concrete measures must be taken to ensure their safety. Members of Parliament should play a proactive role. The Government must protect those who have voted for them,” she said.
She further drew attention to the waste management crisis in Srinagar, particularly problems at the Achan landfill site, and demanded urgent corrective measures.
Criticising the existing reservation policy, Mufti claimed that the people of Srinagar have been among the worst affected and called for early clarification and transparency from the Government.
Reiterating her demand, Mufti said a separate budget for Srinagar would serve as a vital step toward restoring the city’s civic health, preserving its heritage and securing a better quality of life for its residents.
