Srinagar, Oct 13: The Srinagar city is set to undergo a transformation as part of the ambitious Smart City Project. The project, aimed at modernizing and enhancing urban areas, has begun its work on one of the city’s most congested and popular markets, Goni Khan Market, along with the redevelopment of nearby areas, including Hari Singh High Street and Jehangir Chowk.
Goni Khan Market, the busiest shopping hub for locals and tourists alike, is undergoing a much-needed facelift, Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan, CEO of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, said on Friday, emphasizing the importance of this project.
Goni Khan Market has been a cornerstone of Srinagar’s culture for decades, offering an array of options for shoppers, particularly women, looking for items to celebrate festivals and weddings. Over the years, it has evolved from a small marketplace into a bustling district with hundreds of shops, outlets, and shopping complexes. However, this growth has come at a cost, as the market has become overcrowded, lacking in parking space, and public facilities such as washrooms.
Local shop owners expressed happiness that these concerning issues will finally be addressed through the redevelopment project. “We’ve raised these concerns with the authorities, and they’ve assured us that they will resolve them. They’ve also promised to tackle the tangled mess of wires,” shopkeepers said.
They highlighted the market’s significance, noting that it caters not only to the needs of women and children but also to grooms. Goni Khan Market offers a wide range of products for weddings and festivals, accommodating a diverse array of budgets.
The commissioner said that in addition to the Goni Khan Market, work has also commenced on the development of a new pedestrian bridge in the vicinity. Furthermore, one of Srinagar’s busiest intersections, Jehangir Chowk, is set to undergo a major makeover as part of the Smart City Project.
Jehangir Chowk is an important junction in Srinagar, and the redevelopment plans aim to improve traffic flow and pedestrian accessibility. The redesign and junction improvements are part of the broader effort to create a more efficient and modern urban environment in the city.
