A few pressing issues Omar Government should address

By: Er Mohammad Ashraf Fazili
Former Chief Engineer and Former Chairman, IEI, J&KSC

There are a multitude of issues that require the attention of the present democratically-elected government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Certain developmental matters are particularly pressing, and focused attention and investment in these areas would yield significant positive outcomes. I would like to highlight a few issues that have long remained on our planners’ drawing boards. It is high time this government gave them the attention they deserve.

1) Inland Water Transport Project from Pampore to Chattabal:
This project was conceptualized by the Srinagar Development Authority during 1997–99, with M/S RITES—an internationally reputed consultancy firm—retained as consultants when I was posted as its Project Director. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared for its execution. The project aimed to reduce traffic pressure on certain roads in Srinagar city, while also serving as a tourist attraction, given that most of the city’s heritage sites are situated along the banks of the Jhelum River.

Historically, water transport was the primary mode of commuting in the region. Tourists would shop for Kashmiri arts and crafts at showrooms located along both sides of the river. Reviving this tradition would also rejuvenate the riverbank economy.

The government was initially enthusiastic about the project, but in practice, only signboards were erected at some boarding sites, and a few small boats were stationed at Zero Bridge, charging exorbitant fares. The original plan envisaged launching 50-seater motorboats for passengers and 25-seater boats for tourists. Sadly, the DPR has been gathering dust in the Irrigation & Flood Control Department for over 22 years. If executed now, the project would certainly add a feather to the cap of the present administration.

2) Skew Bridge on River Jhelum near Presentation Convent School:
This motorable bridge was constructed up to the deck level in 2017 at a massive cost of Rs 12 crore. However, abruptly and on flimsy grounds, the authorities decided to convert it into a footbridge instead. Steel girders were procured, and a steel deck with roofing was built, completely defeating the purpose for which such a significant investment was made.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Hon’ble High Court convinced the then Chief Justice—based on the report by the amicus curiae—that the bridge should indeed be a motorable one. It has been reported, however, that the relevant file has since gone missing in the High Court, and the substantial investment made stands wasted. There is still time to rectify this by replacing the current decking with the originally designed RCC beam-and-slab structure, thereby easing traffic congestion in the city centre.

3) New Ganderbal Hydroelectric Project (NGHEP):
The NGHEP was taken up in 1992 to build essential infrastructure, after M/S Thapar Consultants had already prepared its DPR. I was serving as its Executive Engineer at the time. Located close to the city, the project offers the advantage of minimal transmission losses. Land acquisition has been completed, and much of the infrastructure is already in place.

Moreover, the project includes a proposed water portal for the Rangil Water Supply Scheme, thus boosting the city’s water supply. Though we often hear assurances that the project will be executed and completed within a fixed timeframe, the actual cause of delay remains unclear—possibly linked to past political disturbances. Nonetheless, the current administration has the capability to deliver if it chooses to act.

4) Solid Waste Disposal Scheme for Greater Srinagar:
The DPR for this project was prepared in the 1980s by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), where I was posted as Executive Engineer. M/S Universal Enviroscience served as consultants. Following sample testing, it was concluded that Srinagar’s solid waste is largely compostable, and a Mechanical Compost Plant was proposed for construction near Noorbagh within five years. In the interim, a sanitary landfill was recommended on 600 kanals of land at Achen Saidpora near Eidgah.

Regrettably, the compost plant was never established. Instead, the entire wetland was converted into an unsanitary landfill, resulting in an obnoxious odour that spreads as far as SKIMS and beyond. Immediate corrective steps are required to implement the project as originally envisioned.

5) Chrar-i-Sharif Development Project:
In 1995, the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Shaikh Noor-ud-Din (RA), built in 1460 AD, was tragically destroyed by fire along with much of the surrounding town—over 1,000 houses and 200 shops—during clashes between militants and security forces.

Some restoration work was carried out until 1999, after which the Chrar-i-Sharif Development Project was initiated. I was appointed as its Project Officer. Three ministers took personal interest in ensuring rapid progress, despite challenges such as legal hurdles. It took nearly two years to secure a Rs 25 crore loan from HUDCO, repayable over 15 years with minimal interest. HUDCO released funds in instalments upon submission of utilization certificates.

After receiving the first instalment of Rs 5 crore, we cleared prior liabilities and commenced new work—including development of a park to the west of the shrine and other infrastructure in the model town. However, following a change in government, as often happens, the project lost momentum and was subsequently neglected.

6) Urban Renewal of Srinagar City:
The widening of various internal roads—including the KZP Road—under the proposed Circular Road system has inexplicably stalled. These works should be treated as a top priority to improve urban mobility.

7) Parking Spaces:
Dedicated parking spaces need to be identified and constructed, as the current practice of roadside parking on both sides of major roads contributes significantly to frequent traffic jams.

8) Fixed Bus Stops:
The city must establish fixed bus stops with dedicated bus bays. The current practice of passenger buses halting arbitrarily in the middle of roads causes significant inconvenience to other road users and worsens traffic congestion.

There are numerous such projects that, if revived and implemented, would not only have a meaningful public impact but also offer much-needed relief to the people of this region, long burdened by decades of disruption and instability.