14 years on, Aishmuqam Shopping complex awaits completion

The Pahalgam Development Authority has failed to complete the construction of Aishmuqam Shopping complex despite the passage of over fourteen years now.

The construction of the commercial shopping mall was started by the Development Authority back in year 2003 with much enthusiasm; however after the passage of 14 years the project is awaiting completion.

According to official details, during the year 2003 PDA started construction of shopping complex at Aishmuqam having 43 shops for rehabilitation of shopkeepers which came under the beautification drive on the directions of then Chief Minister Late Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed.

Over the years the development authority hasn’t only failed to complete the construction of shopping complex but has failed to maintain it as well.

The shopkeepers, who got dislocated due to beatification drive, were asked to deposit subsidized cost of Rs. 50,000 for each shop and even 20 shopkeepers among them have the deposited contributory amount

A spot visit found shopping complex in deteriorated condition and most of them without shutters. Block ‘E’ of the shopping complex is still without roof and rains and snow over these years have deteriorated the condition of shopping complex.

Local residents of Aishmuqam are using these shops for cattle houses and some among them have even unauthorizedly started dumping cow dung in these shops.

Locals however alleged that the shopping complex was facing official apathy and a huge amount was wasted for nothing.

“We have serious objections over the design of this shopping complex. Our only demand is that the middle row of the shopping complex be demolished so that the shopping complex gets enough parking facility,” residents told media.

They alleged that a whopping amount of Rs 2 Cr was spent on the construction of shopping complex.

Admitting that the construction of shopping complex is incomplete, Chief Executive Officer of Pahalgam Development Authority, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani said that work on the shopping complex was stopped in 2008 after local residents raised objections.

“I took over  as CEO PDA in June 2016 and reflected the issue of Shopping Complex in 8^th PDA meeting that chaired then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti,” he said.

CEO said that redesigning of Shopping Complex needs 1.50Cr and government hasn’t yet approved the proposed.

“An amount of Rs. 30.00 lacs was proposed to be spent for renovation of the shopping complex out of our own resources (Revenue) but locals against raised objections and demanding redesigning of shopping complex that again needs huge amount,” he added.

CEO said that allottees are dumping cow dung in shops and PDA can’t stop it because it is their own property.  He claimed that only 23 Lakh rupees have been spent on construction of shopping complex so far.