Smart City officials seek stronger vigilance
Saqib Rather
Srinagar, May 21: A fresh incident of theft and vandalism has struck Srinagar’s riverfront beautification project after several decorative hanging flower pots installed along the Rajbagh stretch went missing overnight, triggering concern among civic authorities over the safety of public property.
The flower installations had recently been placed by Srinagar Smart City Limited as part of an ongoing effort to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the riverfront corridor and improve the experience for both residents and tourists visiting the area.
Officials said the missing flower pots were noticed on Thursday morning, following which the matter was brought to the attention of the engineering wing of the Smart City project.
Chief Engineer of Srinagar Smart City Limited, Er. Abdul Qayoom Kirmani, expressed disappointment over the incident and said immediate steps were initiated after receiving the information.“I came to know about the incident around 2 PM.
Soon after that, our staff was directed to inspect the spot and necessary documentation for registration of an FIR was prepared,” Kirmani said.He said the decorative arrangements had been installed with considerable planning and effort to improve the overall appearance of the city, particularly during the peak tourist season and ahead of important public engagements.
“These beautification works are carried out with dedication and public money. It is unfortunate that such acts continue to damage the city’s image and demoralize the teams working tirelessly on these projects,” he added.
Kirmani also pointed out that incidents involving theft of public infrastructure had occurred earlier as well. Recalling last year’s case involving missing manhole covers from city areas, he said complaints had been formally lodged but the outcomes remained unclear.“Last year too, nearly 26 to 28 manhole covers were reportedly stolen and FIRs were filed. Such repeated incidents raise serious questions about accountability and protection of public assets,” he said.
The Chief Engineer stressed the need for greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies and civic bodies to curb vandalism and theft targeting public infrastructure.
He further revealed that while CCTV surveillance had been introduced at certain vulnerable locations in the city after previous incidents of vandalism, the affected Rajbagh riverfront stretch currently lacks camera coverage.“After incidents near Zero Bridge, CCTV cameras were installed there. We are now examining the possibility of installing surveillance systems at the Rajbagh stretch as well in coordination with the concerned authorities,” Kirmani stated.
The theft has once again sparked debate over public responsibility towards civic infrastructure, with officials urging citizens to help safeguard public property developed for the benefit of the community.
