STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Minister for R&B, Gardens Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said the initiatives taken by the Government for restoring the pristine glory of Shehr-e-Khaas have started showing results and the change is visible on the ground.
He said it is the dream of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to revive the glory of Shahr-e-Khaas and the same would be turned into a reality.
This was stated by the minister during his extensive visit of Khanyar constituency. The areas visited by the Minister include Nowpora, Aalamdar Colony, Lone Mohalla, Baghi Roop Singh, Dastgeer Sahab, Kralteng Mahraj Gunj and Sokaelpora Kawdara.
Taking cognisance of the menacing encroachments in the area, the minister ordered immediate demolition of illegal structures constructed at Brari Nambal and asked the authorities of Revenue, SMC and Police to start a demolition drive in the area at the earliest and ensure that the encroached Government land is retrieved.
MLC, Mohammad Khursheed Aalam, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, VC, LAWDA, Chief Engineer, R&B, MD, JKPCC, Executive Engineers of PHE, SMC, I&FC, besides senior officers from PDD, UEED, Gardens Parks and Floriculture and Revenue departments accompanied the Minister.
While inspecting Brari Nambal lagoon, the minister was informed by VC LAWDA that a project of Rs 65 crore for acquiring land and Rs 90 crore for cleaning the water body has been sent to the concerned department for allotment of funds. The minister asked VC to submit a revised estimate of the project so that funds are arranged for the purpose.
The people who met the minister during his tour, demanded repair of roads, cleaning of drains, replacement of electric poles, conductors and low capacity transformers, construction of marriage halls, beautification of parks besides augmenting water supply in the areas.
The minister on the spot issued instructions to concerned officers for addressing the problems of the people of these areas. At Aalamdar Colony and Lone Mohalla, he asked the officers of UEED to clean the drains flowing through the area besides making operational the dewatering pump installed there. “The area has attained tourist importance and it is the responsibility of the Government to provide them better basic facilities,” he said.
After paying obeisance at Shrine of Dastgeer Sahab (RA), Khanyar, the minister while interacting with people said the government wants that every citizen of the state should be part of the development programmes. He asked them to come forward and cooperate with the government in accomplishing the onerous task of implementing the developmental plans started in different sectors.
The minister ordered for restoration of public park in-front of the Shrine and asked officers of Floriculture Department to start work immediately. Besides installing lights, he asked him to plant flowers in the park.
The minister while visiting Kralteng, Maharaj Gunj also paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Mir Nazak Niyazi Qadri (RA) and interacted with the locals. The people demanded repairs of shrine and construction of marriage hall. He asked people to identify the land or houses so that government can acquire them for the purpose. He also inspected Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Yousuf Shah (RA) Community Hall and took stock of the facilities available there.
During visit to Sokaelpora Kawdara, the people demanded construction of marriage hall and replacement of low capacity transformer with high capacity one. He was informed that SMC has released Rs 20 lakh to R&B department for acquiring two structures there. He asked the offices of both the departments to look into the issue and start work on it immediately. The people also demanded removal of a local security forces camp.
