By Syed Nashir Ali Gillani
Srinagar, Apr 16: The suspension of the Brari Nambal restoration, located at Baba Demb area of Srinagar city is giving tough time to the residents.
As per the residents, the pollution in the lagoon is bringing tremendous inconvenience to them.
“Few years back, the cleaning work was started, the men as well as machinery were pressed into service but for a long time, the work is not going on, resulting in hardships to us,” said Abdul Kabir, a local.
The residents said that the dirty condition of the water body has created health hazards in the area.
“Once the work was started, we thought we would get relief but now we have lost hope. The machines are lying on the banks. The lake is in a miserable condition. There is an apprehension of outbreak of diseases once the temperature increases,” one of the residents said.
A resident, Irshad Ahmad said: “We have to keep our mouth covered while passing through the road stretch, along the lagoon. The foul smell emitted by the lake is intolerable. We even have to keep our doors and windows closed.”
The residents also questioned the construction of Babul Iqbal gateway constructed, near the lake.
“The door has been built and termed as gate way to the Sheh-re-Khaas. The unhygienic condition of the lake is affecting the glory of the gate,” residents said.
Appealing the authorities to start the restoration work at an earliest, the residents said that they would be forced to shift from the place, in case the lake was not brought into its original form.
Vice Chairman, Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority, Dr Abdul Hafiz Shah said that “due to technical issues, the work has been stopped”.
“The work has been undertaken under AMRUT. There is no provision of land acquisition in AMRUT. We needed Rs 87 crore for the acquisition of land,” he said.
“We have submitted the revised proposal to the government under PMDP, after necessary formalities, the government would forward it to the central government for funding,” he added.
