Unlock Srinagar sees little activities even after 85 days of shutdown

Srinagar

By: Shayib Bhat

Srinagar markets have partially opened with restrictions on Saturday today with no extra ordinary movement of public. Public transport is off the roads and most of the people were seen coming on the streets either in their private vehicles or on bicycles. Dozens of auto rickshaws were seen on the streets of Srinagar after about three months of lockdown.

Shopkeepers were seen sitting idle in their shops as most of the people preferred to stay indoors in the lockdown of Covid-19. Earlier in the morning hours Srinagar and many of Kashmir valley witnessed heavy showers, forcing people not to venture out.

According to the government directive, “Today hardware, furniture, furnishings, barbershops, etc opened as per the notification of the district administration. We welcome the government’s decision as there has been a slump in businesses….not just during the past three months, but since August last year,” Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) vice-chairman Aijaz Shahdhar told media in Srinagar.

Shopkeepers Associations and Traders have said that they were adhering to the Sop’s of the district authorities and have appealed customers also to follow the guidelines so that they remain safe from the infection of corona virus.

As there is no cash flow in the markets of Kashmir as there has been a complete paralysis of business for about a year now, it is unlikely that the markets will pick up even on Monday. Many shopkeepers in Srinagar while talking to this reporter said that the business will pick up in the coming days but many of them have doubts due to the cash crunch.

Already KCCI the umbrella of all the trade organizations in Kashmir in a recent press conference has appealed central government to immediately announce a separate comprehensive financial package for Kashmir as they fear that the trade community would perish.

President of KCCI Shiekh Ashiq said that Kashmir has been under restrictions and lockdown now for a year and without any financial package from the central government there can be no rush in the markets or the revival of economy.