DC Srinagar, SSP Traffic were also present in meeting
The Biz Reporter
Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday (4th of April) organised a business interactive meeting at its office on Residency Road, Srinagar, bringing together senior administrative officials of Kashmir and the trading community for a wide-ranging and substantive dialogue on civic, commercial and regulatory concerns affecting the business landscape.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Mr. Anshul Garg, along with Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mr. Akshay Labroo, and SSP Traffic (City), Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat. The gathering also saw enthusiastic participation from KCCI members and heads of various trade and market committees representing diverse commercial sectors from across Kashmir, reflecting the broad-based nature of the concerns placed before the administration.
Welcoming the dignitaries, KCCI President Mr Javid Ahmad Tenga expressed sincere gratitude for the officials’ presence and emphasised the critical need for sustained and structured administrative engagement with the business community. He noted that traders across Srinagar continue to grapple with a range of challenges — spanning infrastructure, civic amenities, regulatory matters and connectivity — that demand both immediate attention and long-term policy intervention.
Tenga underscored that the KCCI remains committed to serving as a responsible and constructive interface between the trading community and the government. He appreciated the administration for taking necessary measures for ensuring the supply of Fuel/, commercial/domestic LPG regulated and preventing its hoarding and black marketing. He expressed the hope that supplies will continue without disruption in future as well.
During the meeting, trader organisations placed a broad spectrum of issues before the administration. A matter of immediate urgency flagged was the assurance about the supply of commercial LPG, which is the lifeline for hotels, restaurants, bakeries, catering and smaller establishments. Any shortage will force them to curtail operations during what is otherwise a peak tourism season, resulting in financial losses for gas-dependent sectors. Moreover, the reports of shortage will send negative signals to intending tourists at a time when tourist footfall was beginning to pick up.
The ongoing repair works at Srinagar Airport, which have restricted flight operations with a hard cutoff of 5:00 PM for the last departure, were also raised as a pressing concern adversely affecting business travellers, exporters of perishable goods, imports, tourists and patients. KCCI urged the Divisional Commissioner to engage with the Railway Ministry to enhance train connectivity between Srinagar, Jammu and New Delhi as a reliable alternative during this period.
On the civic front, traders highlighted the deteriorating drainage network in uptown and Downtown Srinagar, which has rendered several commercial areas vulnerable to severe waterlogging even during moderate rainfall, affecting shopkeepers, customers, and the artisan community concentrated in these areas. The encroachment of footpaths by vehicles and some shopkeepers, unauthorised vendors was also flagged as a growing menace restricting pedestrian movement and posing safety hazards, especially for the elderly and differently-abled, and causing loss of business to commercial establishments.
Fire safety infrastructure emerged as a major point of discussion. At Lal Chowk, traders pointed out that fire hydrants installed under Smart City works have become buried or non-functional, and that no dedicated fire tender is currently stationed in the city centre, though at one point in time, a fire tender would be stationed in the area.
Equally concerning, the KCCI drew attention to the complete absence of Common STP and functional fire hydrants at Gulmarg, other tourist destinations and many areas across the Valley. With these locations witnessing a surge in tourist footfall, the lack of basic fire safety infrastructure poses an unacceptable risk to lives, property of commercial and residential areas. The business community called for urgent installation, restoration and regular auditing of fire safety infrastructure across all major commercial areas.
A pressing concern also raised was the exorbitant escalation in municipal fees – sanitation as well as trade license which had been increased from Rs. 200/- in 2019 to 24000/- The diagnostic centres pointed out that the fee has reportedly surged from ₹200 in 2019 to ₹26,000 annually, with an additional ₹12,000 for biomedical waste management — placing it among the highest such levies nationally. They added that bio-medical waste was disposed off to a disposal Industrial Unit at Lassipora at their own cost.
The meeting also deliberated on the need for multi-level parking infrastructure in Srinagar city, extension of traffic personnel deployment beyond 6 PM to manage peak evening shopping hours, and the long-pending road widening projects in the Downtown area, including the Khanyar–Zadibal–Pandach road and the Meerak Road–Habba Kadal stretch. The KCCI further urged strict enforcement of a complete ban on vehicular movement and parking on the Jhelum Bund between Sheikh Bagh and Rajbagh, warning that continued misuse poses a serious threat to this critical flood protection embankment.
Furthermore, the issue of haphazard halting of Smart City buses has been causing frequent traffic congestion, and there is a need to designate proper stopping points for smoother traffic flow. The difficulties faced by ambulances, patients, students, and emergency commuters in heavily congested areas such as Boulevard and Nishat were also highlighted. It was suggested that water ambulances or alternative water-based transport systems be introduced to effectively address such challenges.
Additional concerns included the non-functional public washroom at Polo View, the absence of safe drinking water kiosks in central markets, and the need for a structured flea market at Eidgah to create employment / rehabilitate street vendors in an organised manner.
Traders also raised the issue of unregulated street vending on Hari Singh High Street, noting that unauthorised vendors have significantly restricted pedestrian movement and are adversely affecting the business of formal shop owners in the area. Relocation of these vendors from the busy market stretch was demanded on priority. A dedicated flea market at Eidgah on the pattern of the Sunday Market was also proposed, where vendors can operate in an organised and dignified manner. A site at Eidgah had already been identified for this purpose and stakeholders requested that it be formally notified and operationalised at the earliest, with mapped stalls, registration, waste management, sanitation and basic utilities in place.
The meeting also took up the long-pending matter of the regularisation of SDA shops along the Nallahmar Belt, where shopkeepers have been seeking legal clarity and security of tenure for their establishments.
Concerns were also raised regarding the upkeep of infrastructure developed under the Smart City project. While traders acknowledged that the beautification works have improved the overall aesthetics of the city, maintenance has lagged significantly behind. Broken tiles, damaged manhole covers, damaged footpaths, defective lighting and loose panels have been reported across several market stretches. Creation of a dedicated maintenance wing or a Quick-Repair Cell for prompt restoration and monthly review of infrastructure condition in commercial areas was demanded.
The Industry representative raised the matter of non- functional Drainage/ Sewerage at Rangreth Industrial Estate. It was highlighted that the non-functional drainage of JKLI & CRP resulted in solid and liquid waste flowing into Rangreth industrial complex is causing serious health issues, and more so, harming the production of many food processing units. The prestigious complex is simply stinking, to say the least.
The Copper dealers /Copper workers representatives highlighted the problem their sector was facing and sought an early resolution.
The matter of the lack of infrastructure at IICT was raised for GI tagging of handicraft items. It was pointed out that presently only 60-70 pieces were being certified, whereas the requirement was for 500-600 Pieces. More GI Tagging machines need to be installed to provide relief to stakeholders.
The matter of growing violence against women and associated issues was raised by KCCI Lady members. They sought serious intervention and establishing dedicated centres It was suggested that the Women’s Commission be formed on priority to address growing women’s issues.
The problems faced by Private Schools were raised in detail, and their resolution was sought.
The growing problem of drug addiction was raised and action was demanded. A point was raised that the bunking students were induced to drugs, and to check them, police should monitor the bunking students.
Problems of transporters were raised, especially, a large number of vehicles registered outside ply in Kashmir rendering local transporters idle.
The matter of restoration of deteriorated Brari Nambal, along with the development and promotion of Shahre Khas to restore its heritage character, was passionately raised by many representatives. They lamented that the Shahre Khas was decaying and needed serious attention.
KCCI informed the DIVCOM that serious apprehensions had arisen in the minds of business community about the construction of Sangarmal-Rajbagh Flyover in view of the reported demolition of Shops, commercial complexes, residences , shops on Poloview, MA Road, Rajbagh, Radio Colony , Jawahar Nagar , Wazir Bagh etc for widening of roads for plying of increased traffic brought in by the Flyover. He was requested that in order to make it clear , the Chief Engineer R&B or the concerned agency be directed to put the DPR of the Flyover in the public domain for information/ consultations.
Responding to the concerns, Divisional Commissioner Mr Anshul Garg thanked the KCCI for providing such a meaningful and interactive platform. He assured the trading community that all grievances would be thoroughly examined and redressed through a dual approach — issues capable of immediate resolution would be addressed on priority, while structural and long-term concerns would be taken up through a phased roadmap in coordination with relevant departments.He informed that the administration was seriously monitoring Fuel and LPG situation and had taken tough measures to ensure supplies, and a mechanism has been put in place, making it mandatory for dealers to upload daily their stock positions , to respective Deputy Commissioners.
He expressed serious concern over the growing drug menace and sought trading community support in dealing with it. On the maintenance of Smart City infrastructure, he informed that the contract for maintenance had been allotted and work had already been started. The Divcom asked the stakeholders to identify spaces suitable for parking. He assured that he is open to receiving suggestions at all times.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mr. Akshay Labroo, also expressed appreciation for the initiative and gave a clear and reassuring message to the trading community: “Our offices are always open. If any member of the business community is facing challenges, please inform us and we will ensure it is addressed.” He gave his personal assurance of full cooperation and active follow-up on all matters placed before the administration.
The SSP Traffic Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat informed about the new initiatives taken for smooth traffic movement, and traffic Rule Violators are being challaned to strictly enforce Traffic Laws.
