Bund along Jehlum river attracts none
Srinagar: A visit to the bund along the life line of Kashmir – river Jehlum – wears a deserted look. The Bund, once considered as the main attraction has lost its pristine glory, thanks to apathy of the authorities.
The bund is littered with dirt and filth, worn out clothes and rags from one end to another. Groups of gamblers are also seen inviting young boys to play cards. There are host of condemned vehicles and three-wheelers parked at places while there is no restrictions on the movement of traffic on the bund, which was once a beautiful walkway for early risers and evening strollers.
“Not long ago, even cycle riders on the bund would not escape punishment but today vehicles, three-wheelers , scooty and bikes move fast on the road from one end of the bund to other without any fear,” said a showroom owner who runs his business from the Bund.
The residents of Abi guzar are cursing the mushroom growth of vehicles, some of which are parked for the whole day in front of their residences causing inconvenience to the women folk as they cannot venture out of their houses.
“We are unable to venture out because vehicles are parked in front of our houses,” an old woman, Rathi said, pointing towards the number of vehicles parked in front of her residential houses.
Another house owner, Abdul Rashid, said he has installed iron roads and a chain to stop people from parking their vehicles in front of his house and other neighbours.
Notably, there are several signboards in front of houses pleading vehicle owners not to park their vehicles in front of the houses.
“The traffic on the bund is continuing despite clear cut instructions of two senior ministers a month ago against allowing traffic on the bund,” said Abdul Rashid.
In 2002, when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took over, he made efforts to remove the encroachments from the bund and converted them into parks.
“The two ministers visited the bund barely a month ago and personally monitored the process of installing blockage for all vehicles plying or parked on the historic Bund,” Rashid added. (Kashmir Wire)
KV Correspondent
