Says decades of neglect have pushed Shehr-e-Khaas into decline
Srinagar, June 27: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday called for a comprehensive economic and housing package for the residents of Srinagar’s old city, saying the historic downtown has suffered decades of neglect, resulting in widespread poverty, overcrowded housing and limited economic opportunities.
In a statement, Bukhari said many families in Shehr-e-Khaas continue to live in inadequate and overcrowded homes, with two or even three families often sharing a single house. He described the situation as a reflection of prolonged official neglect and inadequate urban development.
He also criticised the existing reservation system, claiming that most residents of the old city do not benefit from reserved categories except the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), whose quota, he said, has been reduced from 10 per cent to 3 per cent. This, he added, has further diminished employment prospects for the youth.
Bukhari said unemployment, poor housing and limited economic opportunities have contributed to growing social challenges, including delayed marriages among young people. He urged the elected government to take up the issue with the Union Government and seek a special economic and housing package for the old city.
Highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades, Bukhari pointed to recent waterlogging in several downtown areas following brief rainfall as evidence of the city’s inadequate drainage system. He called for immediate investment in drainage, roads, public services and other civic infrastructure to improve living conditions for residents.
