What could prove detrimental for the preservation of the centuries-old and historic Shehr-e-Khaas is the illegal commercial structures that have been either raised or being constructed in the downtown areas here, making it difficult for the people to live in the already congested localities. From time to time, the people have been raising alarm over the construction of the illegal commercial buildings, but hardly any action is being taken against the person involved. Even the officials in the concerned Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) have in the past admitted the construction of commercial buildings in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the corporation. However, one fails to understand why the administration has failed to take steps to preserve the historic Shehr-e-Khaas by stopping the commercial activities in the residential areas that affect the normal life in the downtown areas. The residential areas in Old City are all set to lose its charm in case such activities continue to take place in the next few years as the historic downtown will never attract the people from outside, who visit the localities almost every day to see the historic monuments situated in Shehr-e-Khaas. There is a dire need to put brakes on such illegal activities to ensure that Shehr-e-Khaas is not turned into a commercial place. It is high time to take a stringent action in this regard to preserve the Shehr-e-Khaas and ensure no commercial activity is allowed within the residential places.
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