Lal Chowk, also known as Red-Square, is Srinagar’s central business area. It is named after Red Square, the central market area of Moscow. It is said that Lal Chowk was named by a group of passionate Communists in Kashmir after Lenin came to power in Russia in 1917. Lal Chowk became a symbol of the left-wing Kashmir nationalistic politics of the then ministers during the time when the Soviet Union was coming to power. Lal Chowk was mainly used for holding protests during this time. In 1980, the Clock Tower was constructed in the centre of Lal Chowk called ‘Ghanta ghar’. Initially, it was used for advertising purposes by Bajaj Electrics in the Srinagar area. Later, it was neglected for many years and ceased to work. Over the course of time, Lal Chowk has become a political symbol and the Clock Tower has ceased to work. Lal Chowk along with the Clock Tower has become a symbol of the politics of Kashmir. The successive Indian governments during this period sought to contain the turmoil in the region and bring peace to the region.
Following the repeal of Article 370, the tourism sector in J&K opened up unprecedented possibilities. For the first time, many things were happening. It was as if we were a forgotten lot on the planet. There is a positive impression everywhere that in the last 70 years, Kashmir has been on a different planet, and it was brought to the world only after the release of Article 370 on the 5th of August, 2019.
Lal-chowk, now known as Srinagar Square, is even more iconic than before. It has been completely refurbished and redesigned, and is currently witnessing an incredible increase in tourist traffic. You can see something different here than before. It used to be worn down and the main place of protests, but now you can see things clearly. A few years ago, it was sealed off by heavy security due to fear of any untoward incidents. You can see for yourself that it has been completely revamped.
On 19th of August, when I happened to see the site myself, literally, it was altogether a different experience to witness changes having taken place. Not only here, even the entire city seems to have redeveloped.
Honestly, some years before no sooner it became evening than people would start disappearing especially from Lal Chowk because of the volatile situation which people had no control over. But now, the circumstances seem to become normal. People love to spend time at this renewed location not only during day but in the evening time as well because for them it is not lesser than a spectacle of beauty and bliss.
One can see peace prevailed and patriotism spread around. Visitors can see for themselves the change where heritage meets innovation. From classic to contemporary, they feel the revival of Lal Chowk embracing modernity with style. And what is interesting to know that in the old Lal Chowk, one could see the historic clock tower been occupied by the pigeons only with things quite haphazard all around. The clock of the tower never showed the exact time. In fact, during 90s, this tower housed a bunker of security persons inside its basement. But the present tower adorns a new look. It has been so beautifully revamped and decorated that in the evening one totally gets fascinated to see the whole structure of it beaming in tricolor with a separate tricolor flag fluttering on top of it.
The redevelopment of it can be seen on the ground, just outside the tower towards the west, where a big LED screen shows some important events on a daily basis. Hundreds of tourists, walkers and locals watched the Chandarayan 3 landing on August 23rd, while enjoying the serene ambiance of the colorful Lal Chowk in the company of the elegant fountains, bright floor-lights installed in tiles, kids swings, flower beds in the lighted area and much more.
