Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 1: The authorities in Shopian have not bothered to clear the snow which has now accumulated on the roadsides at the main market making it difficult not only for the pedestrians to move, but the shopkeepers are also suffering.
The shopkeepers told Excelsior that the snow was earlier lifted but then it snowed again and for the last nearly 2 days, the concerned authorities have not bothered to lift the accumulated snow so that the movement of the general public is facilitated.
“The mounds of snow measuring 5-6 feet are right in front of the shops and it becomes really difficult for us to operate in such a situation; earlier the lifting of snow in tippers was done immediately, but this time there has been a delay,” said Owais Ahmad, President, Traders Federation, Shopian
He said that not the shopkeepers are suffering, but, he said, that the movement of traffic is also getting hampered by the snow which remains accumulated on the roadsides.
“Even the pedestrians are facing issues on their movement; it is the snow which has been cleared from the road, plus the snow which came down from the roof—all accumulated on the roadside,” he said.
Another shopkeeper said that their businesses are taking a hit with the concerned authorities failing in lifting the accumulated snow well in time.
“There are some shopkeepers who have preferred to keep their shops closed because they are not even able to open them up; this time there has been a delay in snow clearance,” he said.
The residents as well as the shopkeepers have requested the concerned authorities, especially the officials at Municipal Committee (MC) Shopian, to deploy the men and machinery to ensure the timely lifting of the accumulated snow from the market so that the traders can do their businesses smoothly and at the same time, the movement of the general public is facilitated.
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