The snowfall in Srinagar on Thursday turned footpaths in several areas into treacherous zones for pedestrians, with many complaining about the poor choice of tiles used under the Srinagar Smart City Project.
The smooth, glossy tiles installed on footpaths have become dangerously slippery after being covered with snow and ice, making walking difficult and unsafe for residents particularly in City Centre Srinagar.
Pedestrians, especially the elderly and children reported frequent slips and falls, raising concerns about the practicality of these tiles in Srinagar city.
“These tiles are not suitable for snowy weather. Walking on them feels like skating on ice,” a shopkeeper from Rajbagh told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Many locals questioned the planning and execution of the Smart City Project.
“While the initiative aimed to improve urban infrastructure, the current situation has led to doubts about whether local climate conditions were adequately considered in the design,” said a businessman. [KNT]