Anantnag, July 13:The sanctity of the revered Sufi shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Zainudin Wali (RA) at Aishmuqamin South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, is being gravely undermined by the deplorable condition of its exclusive link road, drawing widespread concern from devotees and civil society alike.The road link, which connects the KP Road to the historic shrine, was developed under the PMGSY project over the past decade, transforming a stone-paved footpath from Ainoo village into a motorable route. This development had brought immense relief to elderly and physically challenged devotees who were previously unable to scale the shrine’s 300-odd steps.
However, this vital route has now become a symbol of neglect. Residents on both sides of the road are allegedly dumping solid waste, cow dung, used sanitary items and liquid refuse directly onto the passage, turning the sacred access into a health hazard and eyesore.“It’s disheartening to see a road meant for spiritual journeys now reeking of filth,” said a devotee. “This is no way to treat a place held so sacred by lakhs of people.”Jehangir Ahmed, a local resident and a frequent visitor to the shrine said: “The lack of regular cleaning, waste management and enforcement has rendered the road not only unhygienic but also inconvenient and dangerous for pilgrims and vehicles,” he said. Adding to the chaos is unregulated parking, which often leads to traffic bottlenecks and poses serious risks, especially during festivals and peak visiting hours.”Concerned citizens and local civil society groups have issued a joint appeal to all relevant authorities—Urban Local Bodies, Wakf Board, RDD, Rural Sanitation, R&B, JK Police and Tourism Department—to take immediate cognisance of the issue.Their primary appeal, however, is directed towards Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, who is known to be a staunch devotee of the shrine. Locals are hopeful that his personal connection to the Ziyarat will prompt swift and decisive action.The community believes that preserving the dignity of the shrine and ensuring a respectful, hygienic experience for visitors must be a top administrative priority.
