Posted on February 16, 2021
Srinagar, Feb 11: Jammu and Kashmir administration has geared up in developing and modifying spots in Shahar-e-Khaas of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district in an effort to beautify the area. The Department of Tourism has taken up the work of beautification of Brari Nambal, also known as Bab Demb, a small water body located in Srinagar.
The water body has been taken up for comprehensive modification. The boundaries of the lake are being beautified with the construction of a walkway, erecting fences and lights, constructing of wooden jetties, etc.
The process of beautifying the Brari Nambal lagoon has been taken up under two-centrally sponsored schemes – Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
“The beautification work includes walkway, footpath, wooden kiosks (jetties), etc is aimed to make Shahar-e-Khaas a luring spot for both local and outside visitors,” Executive Engineer J&K Lakes & Waterways Development Authority, Srinagar Feroz Ahmad told Rising Kashmir.
“Besides the lagoon will come up with unique food courts which will function under the Department of Tourism,” he said and added the food courts are likely to be outsourced or would be run by LAWDA, which is yet to be finalized.
The authorities have constructed nine wooden jetties on the shore of Brari Nambal which has beautified its look. While three wooden jetties have been constructed on Bagh-e-Ali Mardan bridge side, six wooden kiosks have been constructed on Gandhi College side.
The beautification project of Brari Nambal is being carried out at the estimated cost of rupees 25.42 crores including the financial support of 8.5 crores from PMDP while 16.92 crores came under AMRUT scheme.
It is believed that the beautification will improve the chances of trade and economic activity of the surrounding markets near the lagoon. “The work on the project is likely to be completed within 15-20 days after which it is obvious that visitors will turn up in bulk that will surely lead to accelerate trade at the local level,” a LAWDA officer said.
The locals of the area expressed happiness over the development and have pinned hope on the beautification of the lagoon for improving trade in the area.
“We hope the markets will get more customers after the modification process culminates,” a local trader Nazir Ahmad told Rising Kashmir.
He said in the last two years, the markets in Kashmir has witnessed a decline and many have winded up their ventures due to financial losses. “We hope this tough time will change after the water body will get a beautiful look. If visitors will come here it will improve our markets as well,” he said.
LAWDA, the executing agency has erected several fountains in the water body to invite the attention of passersby, however, due to sub-zero temperatures, the fountains have been temporarily switched off.
To ensure the expansion of the lake, the Department of Lakes & Waterways Development Authority had completed the dredging in the water body except for 15 percent of the pocket. “Except 15 percent of the area, who locals claim have possession rights over, the rest 85 per cent of the lake has been dredged,” Executive Engineer LAWDA said.
The agency has also renovated the temple that lies in the middle of the Brari Nambal. “Under AMRUT scheme, the temple has also been modified which includes its rooftop, fences of surroundings, concrete base etc,” Feroz said.
Although huge funds are being utilized over the beautification of Brari Nambal, authorities have failed to plug the drains that flush waste and polluted water into the lagoon. The polluted water body is a source of inconvenience for the locals as foul and rancid smell emanates from it.
“The drains coming out from Malik Angan, Fateh Kadal, Gandhi College, Shamswari and adjoining areas caused immense pollution in the water body, which has disfigured the beauty of Brari Nambal,” another official of LAWDA said.
He said that Brari Nambal is also having two Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). “The new one is operated by Department of Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) while another one is run by Department of Urban Engineering Environmental Department (UEED)”, the official said and added the STP run by LAWDA has a Finland technology and was made with an estimated cost of 22 crore rupees.
However, the STP run by UEED is being blamed for the lagoon’s pollution. According to a report published by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), the water post-treatment at the STP by UEED has “excess phosphate in its effluents”.
According to an official, the drains flushed into the lagoon were plugged by authorities in the recent past but were unplugged again due to pressure from the localities.
“Although, a drain was constructed a few years ago in the middle of the road but unfortunately, the waste coming from adjoining areas is still being flushed into the water body,” he said.
According to Executive Engineer, LAWDA Feroz Ahmad the High Court had already passed directions to people to refrain from diverting waste into the water body. “While the order is not being acted upon properly, however, in future the violations won’t be tolerated and hopefully some alternate will be found to change the path of waste and to ensure good looking Brari Nambal,” he added.
