Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday applauded the cabinet’s approval for the construction of the Rajbagh flyover, which will connect the Sangarmal Complex to the Rajbagh Police Station.
Bukhari recalled how former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had damaged the project during her tenure by exhibiting what he described as “Nadirshahi behaviour,” ignoring expert opinion and saner voices.
In his statement, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “I welcome and appreciate the government’s decision to approve the flyover connecting Rajbagh to Sangarmal in Srinagar. This was a long-awaited and much-needed decision. Once completed, the flyover will certainly help reduce the growing traffic congestion in the area.”
Recalling how the project was adversely affected during the tenure of the then Chief Minister, the Apni Party president said, “At the same time, it is important to recall how this vital project was mishandled in the past. During her tenure in government, Mehbooba Mufti, exhibiting her typical Nadirshahi behaviour, altered the very nature of the project. Ignoring expert advice and reasonable voices, she changed the plan and converted the proposed motorable bridge into a footbridge, even though it had originally been designed and its foundation laid as a bridge meant for vehicles.”
He went on to say, “Sadly, this was not the only decision during her time in power that caused hardship for people in Srinagar. Another glaring example was the shifting of the Batamaloo General Bus Stand to Parimpora in Srinagar. This decision proved to be foolish and deeply damaging. Batamaloo, which was once a thriving economic hub, suffered greatly, and thousands of traders, transporters, and local residents were pushed into serious financial distress.”
“Similarly, the ban on stone mining in the Athwajan and Pantha Chowk areas on the outskirts of Srinagar deprived hundreds of labour-class families of their livelihoods. Again, this decision brought misery and economic hardship to a large section of the population,” he added, saying, “These are only a few examples that show the poor judgment and disregard for public welfare that marked Mehbooba Mufti’s time in government.”
Taking a dig at Mehbooba Mufti, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Without mincing words, today I want to tell Mehbooba Ji directly that the damage she caused to Srinagar during her tenure is unforgettable. I understand that some unelected representatives in your party at that time further influenced you to intensify the anti-city sentiments that you already harboured. However, the fact remains that you personally left no stone unturned to undermine the interests of Srinagar and its people. Now, mark my words: the people of Srinagar will neither forget nor forgive the harm you caused them, and history will ultimately judge the consequences of the damage that was done.”
“Anyways, I sincerely hope that the work on the flyover construction begins without any further delay so that the people can finally get relief from the severe traffic congestion in the city centre and adjoining areas,” Bukhari concluded.
