By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: Four years elapsed since the construction of community hall in congested Gadood Bagh locality of Habba Kadal was started; the residents living in the vicinity expressed resentment against the authorities, saying that the authorities have miserably failed to complete the construction, thus leaving the locals to suffer.
The existing building was demolished in the year 2015 following which the construction of new community hall was started, the locals told INS.
However, they said soon after the existing building was demolished, the tussle between the Handicraft department also existing in the hall and the government kept the construction work at bay for a long.
The residents added that after several pleads, the construction of the building was started here but after elapsing four years, the work is yet to get completed.
Sources said that the funds were stopped several times since the construction was started. “After four years, only pillars and a slab have been constructed so far,” they said.
The locals told this reporter that the community hall in the congested area is must and in absence of the hall, the people are being left at God’s mercy. “We need the community hall to host guests especially on marriage ceremonies of our beloved or to host the guest in the hours of grief but the authorities are leaving the residents to suffer here by failing to complete the construction from past four years,” they said.
The local Mohalla committee said that in this year, dozens of families have fixed marriage ceremonies of their beloved but due to the official apathy, the residents are in fix. “We don’t have any alternate to host our guests or for the reception of our grooms,” they said, adding that authorities concerned should look into the hardships of residents and should redress the genuine demands soon.
Earlier, the then MLA Shameema Firdous had assured locals that the hall will be constructing soon but nothing has been done on the ground.
Meanwhile, Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Azim Matoo told INS he will look into the matter and will ensure the construction is completed shortly.
