KL Report

SRINAGAR

After the recent devastating flood that halted life in Kashmir, the life in Srinagar’s business hub, Lal Chowk is still not returning to its normalcy.

Almost a month has passed since the flood submerged whole Kashmir but its repercussions are visible all around. For most of the people living in this business hub, life was never so quite before Eid, which will be celebrated on Monday.

“That hustle and bustle of Lal Chowk on Eid like festive has been lost. During such occasions markets used to remain overcrowded with shoppers. Pavement sellers would spread their merchandise on pedestrian malls. Makeshift markets would result in endless traffic jams in city,” said a shopkeeper on Residency Road, who is busy in cleaning his shop.

Instead locals are found waiting for relief material, including cooking gas, kerosene oil and medicines. In addition to that the public anger is growing fast as locals blame the state government for its failure to ‘streamline’ the relief and rehabilitation process.

In addition to the loss of local shopkeepers in Lal Chowk, another worst hit is the sale of sacrificial animals.

“More than 50 percent of my last year’s buyers have not visited me this year. Even those who came are doing it partially like a buyer who used to take four sheep, is buying only one this year,” said a local, who sells sacrificial animals, to Delhi based news gathering agency.

The most sought after bakery shops, who used to earn in crores on Eid festivals on Maulana Azad Road and Residency Road, are still closed after the floods hit them.

 

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