Cities rarely lose their charm in one dramatic moment. They lose it through broken footpaths, damaged tiles, neglected railings and scarred public spaces.
Srinagar has reached that stage.
The Smart City project transformed many parts of the city into cleaner, more walkable and more welcoming public spaces. Residents embraced the change and visitors noticed it too. Today, many of those improvements are slowly fading because maintenance has failed to keep pace with development.
Srinagar Smart City Limited completed hundreds of projects worth thousands of crores, bringing redesigned roads, wider footpaths, cycling tracks, public plazas, riverfront improvements and better street lighting.
These projects gave the city a fresh identity and encouraged people to spend more time outdoors.
The facelift also strengthened Srinagar’s appeal as one of India’s fastest growing tourist destinations, with Jammu and Kashmir receiving more than two crore visitors in 2024. Public spaces became part of the city’s image, both online and on the ground.
A walk through several parts of Srinagar now tells a different story.
Tiles have cracked or disappeared. Footpaths have sunk at many locations. Decorative bollards stand damaged. Fresh paint has faded beneath layers of posters and graffiti. Utility agencies often dig through newly built pavements and leave rough patches behind instead of restoring them to their original condition. Small acts of vandalism and careless construction have slowly chipped away at infrastructure that was celebrated only a short time ago.
Building infrastructure marks only the beginning, but keeping it in good condition decides whether public money delivers lasting value.
Damaged pavements raise repair costs, neglected public spaces diminish the city’s appearance, and delayed repairs allow small problems to grow into expensive ones.
Civic authorities have an opportunity to change this direction.
A dedicated urban maintenance task force could inspect public spaces every week, identify damage early and coordinate repairs before problems spread. Digital reporting through mobile apps can help residents alert officials with photographs and locations. Utility departments should restore every road and footpath immediately after completing excavation work instead of leaving unfinished surfaces behind for months.
Public participation also has a central place in this effort. Schools, resident welfare groups, shopkeepers and market associations can encourage respect for shared spaces through regular awareness drives. Strong penalties for vandalism, illegal digging and damage to public property will reinforce the message that civic assets belong to everyone and demand responsible use.
Srinagar earned praise because it showed how thoughtful urban planning could improve everyday life. That achievement should remain visible long after ribbon-cutting ceremonies end.
Clean streets, intact pavements and well-maintained public spaces tell visitors that a city values its future, while giving residents something equally important: confidence that good development can last.
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