Boulevard remains submerged as authorities fail to ensure dewatering
Though the water level has receded in the Dal Lake here, the Boulevard Road on its banks continued to remain submerged for the third consecutive day as the authorities have failed to dewater it.
Locals told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that no dewatering pump has been installed in the area for last three days to mitigate their miseries.
“Our normal lives have been thrown out of gear as the authorities are yet to drain out the accumulated waters caused due to recent rains,” locals said adding that the pedestrians have to face immense hardships while walking through the road.
They said that the defunct drainage system in the area was causing water logging on the road.
“The drains constructed here have turned defunct now. Authorities must construct the modified drainage system on this road as they are well known to the fact that this road leads to many tourist places,” they said.
A group of tourists who were standing on the spot while interacting with the reporter expressed their heartfelt resentment over the failure of the government to dewater the historic road.
“It is very unfortunate that the authorities couldn’t dewater this road so far. I am confused that what impression will the tourists take to outside world even though three days have passed and the authorities are yet to drain out the water from an important highway,” said Manoj, a Delhi based business who has come for vacations with his family.
Reports said that the Boulevard road is submerged from Jetty no. 6 – Jetty no. 8 even as some portion of Jetty no. 3 is still submerged.
The Boulevard road was submerged in the evening of 23rd April after the water level increased in the Dal Lake and crossed the embankments before flooding the roads.
Meanwhile, no official of J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) was available for the comment.
Chief Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control Kashmir, Mohammad Hanief told Kashmir Vision over phone that the water has receded in Dal Lake.
“I don’t know how many feet the water level has receded exactly.”
However, when contacted Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Shafqat Khan, said that they will dewater the road by tomorrow.
“If weather remained dry, we will install a permanent dewatering pump there and will drain out the water,” the Commissioner said.
KV Correspondent
