Move beyond temporary facelift

Srinagar’s civic priorities often reveal themselves in the run-up to the Durbar Move. Once again, Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas are being given a cosmetic facelift, fresh paint, cleaned pavements and spruced-up public spaces. While such efforts improve the city’s visual appeal, they also expose a deeper and recurring concern: the neglect of core infrastructure, particularly road conditions. Despite the flurry of activity, several key roads in and around Lal Chowk remain in poor condition, riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces. Macadamization, which directly impacts daily commuters, traders and public transport, continues to be deferred. The standard explanation offered by the concerned department, unsuitable weather, has become a familiar refrain. While weather constraints are a genuine factor in road construction, the repeated delays suggest a lack of planning rather than an unavoidable obstacle. If authorities are aware of seasonal limitations, why are preparatory works not scheduled in advance? Why does road repair consistently take a backseat to surface-level beautification? A well-maintained road network is not merely an aesthetic requirement but a fundamental to urban functionality, safety and economic activity. The Durbar Move, an administrative tradition with significant logistical implications, should ideally act as a deadline for comprehensive infrastructure readiness, not just visual enhancements. Prioritizing paint over pavement sends the wrong message about governance and public service delivery. There is an urgent need for a shift in approach. Departments must adopt a more proactive, time-bound strategy that aligns infrastructure work with seasonal windows. Accountability mechanisms should ensure that essential works like macadamization are completed well before high-profile events. Srinagar deserves more than a temporary facelift. It needs durable, well-planned infrastructure that serves its residents beyond ceremonial occasions.