MIR ARSHID
BUDGAM, Dec 08: A series of newly installed beautification structures designed in the shape of social-media-style hashtags across Budgam town have been vandalised at multiple spots, triggering widespread resentment among residents and business owners. The colourful installations, meant to uplift the town’s visual landscape and promote public engagement, have been found broken, defaced and damaged at several locations over the past weeks.
These installations were introduced under a beautification initiative by the Municipal Council Budgam with the objective of turning key public spaces into interactive points and adding a modern identity to the town. The brightly painted hashtag structures soon became a preferred stop for locals and tourists for photography and social media posts, which added to Budgam’s evolving urban character.
However, the growing cases of vandalism have disappointed many. Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, Majid Ali, a resident, said the hashtags had turned into “eye-catching installations that attracted both tourists and locals.” He added that it was painful to see them lying damaged at different locations. “The department should repair them without delay,” he urged.
Aijaz Hussain, a shopkeeper in the main market, echoed the sentiment, noting that the structures brought freshness to the otherwise routine market landscape. What bothers him, however, is the prolonged silence from the administration. “It has been months and still no official statement has been issued. Other districts are moving ahead in terms of development, while Budgam is left waiting for action,” he remarked.
Elderly resident Ghulam Rasool also expressed concern, saying the installations were intended not only to beautify the town but also to instil civic pride among younger generations. “It hurts to see public property destroyed like this. Earlier, people used to respect community assets,” he said, urging the authorities to repair the structures and simultaneously raise awareness about safeguarding public property.
Residents further pointed out that despite CCTV cameras being installed at several locations, the vandalism continued unabated. Locals believe that lack of regular monitoring has emboldened miscreants and called upon the administration to ensure immediate repairs, strengthen supervision around public installations and conduct civic-awareness campaigns to discourage such acts.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts to reach the Chief Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Budgam for an official comment proved unsuccessful as phone calls were not responded to.
