WE THE PEOPLE
Despite specific Master Plan guidelines, workshops continue to remain operational in residential areas
Hence Environmentalists and affected people urge authorities to shift them to identified areas to keep built-up areas pollution-free
By: M Shirjeel
SRINAGAR: In its long term prospective planning, the Central Government approved Remodelling Plans for twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu a few months back, which provided an opportunity for the State Planning and Development Agencies to rectify the much delayed negligence in the development of the capital cities of the State by launching a programme of redevelopment by revising the Master Plan of 1971 and subsequent Development Act. One of the slots being identified for placement of workshops of all kinds so that these are away from human settlements. But it is unfortunate that guidelines laid down in the Master Plan stand consigned to flames as large number of residential areas are dotted with workshops of different categories. These have become source of nuisance and pollution of all types, rendering thereby living conditions of thousands of residents quite miserable.
It is worth mentioning that Srinagar has remained capital of Kashmir valley for the last over several centuries and its main city was founded on the banks of river Jhelum for remaining recipient of several benefits. Since communication system had not developed and thus people were reconciled and contented with water transport system. Even ration depots had been placed on the banks of river Jehlum to undertake transshipment of food-grains by way of big barges. People used to visit several places through water-bodies and avoid road journeys. With the advancement in technology, the old system got changed and people started to use quick delivery systems. No doubt, this saved time and minimized space, but brought other maladies in its train. Had humans taken care of ecology and environment, we would not be face to face with ecological imbalance and environmental degradation today.
“No doubt, communication system has undergone a sea-change and turned the world into a global village where information travels at a fast speed. This has also given rise to materialistic ambitions, leaving little space for environmental and ecological considerations. This is visible on highways where mushroom growth of workshops has sprung-up, putting human habitations to great stress and strain. The owners of such workshops have no regard and respect for humans as they have resorted to the spread of mass pollution of all types. Having workshops in densely populated areas means deprival of peace to the inhabitants. The residents are subjected to noise, air and water pollution, which is unbearable from all standards. The students are unable to prosecute their studies due to noise pollution and the effluents discharged by the workshops affect people in residential colonies. The painting shops located in automobile workshops indulge in injurious substances, which are pernicious to human health. There are reports that several serious ailments have developed in such residential areas due to some harmful pigments. There are also reports that air pollution due to such workshops has crossed the prescribed limits as such centres are not fitted with specified gadgets. This is the reason that placement of factories is prohibited in residential areas of several States of the country and no factory is allowed to function until and unless it is fitted with necessary pollution absorption gadgets. The Master Plan drawn for the city of Srinagar had envisaged all such factors, but workshop owners allegedly in league with the State functionaries have consigned them to flames. It is for the State Pollution Control Board to help the people in getting rid of such maladies. Similarly, workshops placed on either side of National Highway By-pass have been posing grave threat to the residents, ” said a group of Environmentalists and elderly persons of Kashmir valley.
Hence Environmentalists and affected people urge authorities to shift them to identified areas to keep built-up areas pollution-free It would be appropriate that the authorities of State Pollution Control Board rise to the occasion and impose restrictions on such workshops so that pollutants are not discharged into the residential areas. The Srinagar Development Authority, Chief Engineer PWD and Srinagar Municipal Corporation officials must invoke necessary provisions of the Master Plan and proceed against the violators and law-breakers. The Master Plan must serve as a guideline for the officials, if they want to keep the city of Srinagar and its inhabitants safe against the ill-effects of pollution.
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