Srinagar, Apr 27:The functioning of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has once again come under scrutiny after the introduction of a new system under the Smart City initiative, allowing vendors to operate food trucks in designated parking areas across the city.
Several such units have reportedly been installed after collecting fees from vendors, permitting them to operate within spaces originally meant for vehicle parking. The move has triggered widespread concern among residents and commuters, who are already grappling with an acute shortage of parking facilities in Srinagar.
Citizens argue that converting parking lots into commercial zones reflects poor urban planning and lack of foresight. “The city is already facing a parking crisis. Allowing food trucks in these areas will only worsen traffic congestion and inconvenience the public,” said a local resident.
Urban planning experts also question the decision, pointing out that globally, parking spaces are preserved exclusively for vehicular use and not repurposed for commercial activities. The move, if left unchecked, could set a precedent leading to large-scale encroachment of public infrastructure.
Residents fear that such permissions may soon extend beyond food trucks to other forms of commercial setups, ultimately reducing parking availability to negligible levels.
The public has urged authorities to immediately review and revoke such permissions, stressing the need to prioritize long-term urban planning and public convenience over temporary revenue generation.
Despite growing criticism, officials from the Smart City administration and municipal authorities have yet to issue a detailed clarification on the matter.
The situation calls for urgent intervention before Srinagar’s already strained parking system deteriorates further.
