Srinagar, Mar 31 (KNO): Residents of Hawal Chowk in downtown Srinagar on Tuesday said they are facing a difficult situation after the installation of a new drainage system in the area.
They said continuous water leakage has damaged several houses and left one structure on the verge of collapse.
“The Mehaboob Abad Hawal area, part of the densely populated Hawal locality, has witnessed seepage from newly laid drainage pipes, leading to cracks in residential buildings and water accumulation inside homes,” residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) here.
They said they were told the new drainage system would solve waterlogging, but instead it has created a bigger problem.
“Water is seeping into our houses day and night,” said Zeeshan, a local resident. He said that one of the affected structures has developed visible cracks and is “close to collapse,” posing a serious risk to the lives of occupants.
Locals further alleged that poor planning and faulty execution of the drainage project are to blame for the crisis, claiming that pipelines were either improperly laid or damaged during installation.
Notably, the issue comes amid broader concerns over drainage infrastructure in the city, where residents in several areas have repeatedly flagged waterlogging and seepage problems, especially after rainfall.
Residents also said despite repeated appeals, no concrete action has been taken so far. “We have informed the authorities multiple times, but no one has come to assess the damage,” another local said.
They urged the administration and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to immediately intervene, repair the faulty drainage system and assess the structural safety of affected houses to prevent any tragedy.
Meanwhile, locals warned that if timely action is not taken, the situation could escalate, particularly with forecasts of intermittent rainfall in the coming days, which may further aggravate leakage and structural damage—(KNO)