SRINAGAR: The multi-level parking facility at the erstwhile State Motor Garages (SMG) in Srinagar’s Press Enclave has become a glaring example of engineering failure, as heavy rains have exposed multiple leaks, leading to severe waterlogging across all four floors.
Inaugurated in 2021 at a cost of Rs 26.92 crore, the parking facility was constructed under the centrally sponsored Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure. However, merely a few years after its completion, the facility’s inability to withstand rainfall has raised serious concerns regarding the quality of work executed by the engineers and the construction agency.
The project was undertaken by Construction Engineers, the same firm responsible for notable structures such as Sangarmal Complex and J&K Bank buildings. However, its failure to deliver a rainproof parking facility has left commuters frustrated, as persistent waterlogging has turned the space into a hazard for vehicle owners.
“There will be a flood-like situation inside the parking facility if the rain continues,” a local shopkeeper said, highlighting the deteriorating condition of the structure.
The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), which operates the facility, had designed it to accommodate 467 four-wheelers and 132 two-wheelers at a time. However, given the current state of the facility, serious doubts have emerged regarding its durability and the oversight of engineers involved in its construction.
Frustrated commuters have demanded immediate action against the construction agency, holding it responsible for the substandard work that has transformed a crucial public utility into a leaking mess. (KNT)
