Srinagar, Nov. 28 -- Amid the Smart City drive, the fate of old structures and juxtaposed landmarks remains uncertain in Srinagar.

SRINAGAR'S classic countenance would once fuel fantasies with its grace and grandeur and spark poetic praises. But now, the rundown residences are defying the picture-perfect of what once was the Venice of East.

What remains now are the distorted dwellings - mostly long, symmetrical facades, looking east and west, with several windows for taking the air, fascinating staircases and a collection of Kashmiri artistry.

These structures would constitute an ideal-abode for craftspeople. However, the new non-indigenous structures have pushed and pulled this architectural history of everyone to obscurity.

And now,...