After drawing flak, the authorities have cleared the road stretch near Regal Chowk after it was blocked by carrying out beautification and installing articles of varied nature. The entire road stretch was blocked while a small passage was kept open for the vehicles.
The move was criticised by the public who said that there are several other issues that the public is facing and that the authorities should address those issues first before actually carrying out the so-called beautification of open spaces in Srinagar city.
The concerned authorities have now taken a good decision of removing the blockade. It is something which they should have thought about earlier and should have not gone ahead with the plan of blocking the road stretch in the city which is already struggling with several other issues.
While the public is not against any developmental move, but the same needs to be carried out more logically. There is a need for resolving other issues such as making roads motor-able, making them free of potholes and ensuring smooth and hassle-free passage to the commuters. Making more parking spaces operational which will further help in decongesting the city road which are otherwise prone to traffic jams, along with several other measures.
When that is done, the concerned authorities can go ahead with the beautification and turn the city into a bride. Unless and until the grassroots works are not carried out in the city which are foundational for the smart city, any move to add beauty to it will turn out to be useless, and bound to public criticism.
