Lal Chowk Traders Demand Urgent Repairs to Iconic Clock Tower; Cite Business Decline

SRINAGAR – The Traders Association Central Lal Chowk (Ghanta Ghar) under the leadership of president Feroz Ahmad Baba issued an urgent appeal to administration regarding the non-functional status of the iconic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower).
The landmark, which serves as the heart of Srinagar’s commercial hub, has recently seen its clock hands stall and its hourly chimes go silent, leading to significant concerns over the area’s declining aesthetic and commercial appeal.
Traders report that the silent tower and lack of maintenance in the surrounding “sit-out” areas are discouraging tourists, who previously flocked to the site for photography and leisure.
Local vendors and shopkeepers, who traditionally relied on the tower’s hourly bells to regulate the business day, state the silence has stripped the market of its historic character. Beyond the clock mechanism, reports indicate that the specialized lighting and seating areas—upgraded during the 2023 Smart City project—are falling into disrepair due to a lack of consistent maintenance.
The association highlighted that Lal Chowk is facing a “weakening of commercial activity,” compounded by the landmark’s neglect and restrictive traffic measures that have reduced footfall.