Multi-level parking in Srinagar springs leaks, raises questions on engineering failure

Srinagar, Mar 15: The multi-level parking facility at the erstwhile State Motor Garages (SMG) in Srinagar’s Press Enclave has turned into a glaring example of engineering failure, as heavy rains have exposed multiple leaks, resulting in 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, meant to enhance urban infrastructure. However, just a few years after its completion, its inability to withstand rainfall has raised serious concerns about the quality of work executed by the engineers and the construction agency.
The project was carried out by Construction Engineers, the same firm responsible for notable structures such as Sangarmal and J&K Bank buildings. But its failure to deliver a rainproof parking facility has left commuters fuming. Several vehicle owners who park on the ramps expressed their disappointment, citing the inconvenience caused by persistent waterlogging.
“There will be a flood-like situation inside the parking if the rain continues,” said a local shopkeeper to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, highlighting the deteriorating condition of the structure.
The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), which operates the facility, had planned for it to accommodate 467 four-wheelers and 132 two-wheelers at a time. However, the current state of the parking raises serious doubts about its durability and the oversight of engineers involved in its design and construction.
Commuters have demanded immediate action against the construction agency, holding it responsible for the substandard work that has turned a crucial public utility into a leaking mess. [KNT]