STATE TIMES NEWS
PULWAMA: In a major fillip to the development of industrial sector in Pulwama district, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Thursday announced completion of Pulwama-Lassipora and Sangam-Lassipora roads leading to the Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) by the end of this year.
He also announced completion of the Circular Road around Pulwama that will de-congest the main town by providing bypass access to heavy vehicular traffic towards Shopian and the Mughal Road, which connects Valley with Jammu Division.
Mufti Sayeed made these announcements during his day-long tour of Pulwama district. He visited IGC Lassipora, District Hospital and Government Central School, Pulwama, and Chandgam. He also interacted with various traders’ and social delegations which raised demands for fast-tracking development of Pulwama town.
Interacting with entrepreneurs of IGC Lassipora, which is the largest industrial growth centre in Kashmir Valley, the Chief Minister passed on-the-spot directions to Chief Engineer, R&B, to complete the Pulwama-Lassipora and Sangam-Lassipora road stretches by the end of this year. He also announced establishment of a convention centre, fire station and a dispensary within the campus of IGC Lassipora to facilitate the unit-holders.
The completion of the two roads will provide much-needed connectivity to IGC, which will make it industrially viable for setting up of medium and large scale enterprises. Greater accessibility to IGC will bring in more investment and generate avenues for employment for our skilled youth.
The Chief Minister also issued directions for taking back possession of 1500 kanals of land within IGC Lassipora which has been encroached upon. He also assured the entrepreneurs of dedicated power supply by way of installation of another receiving station within the next two months.
Emphasizing upon maintaining quality of fruits in outside markets, in wake of fierce competition, Mufti Sayeed said the Government will soon implement the Market Intervention Scheme to procure C-grade fruit in bulk so that there are enough stockpiles available for our fruit processing industry.
The Chief Minister also viewed two powerpoint presentations on IGC Lassipora and overall industrial scenario in Kashmir Division. He also visited a few industrial units in the growth centre.
Ideally located, IGC Lassipora was established in 2001. SIDCO is developing 5324 kanals of land out of which 2420 kanals have been allotted to 432 unit-holders, including 19 in medium and large scale. A number of units in steel rolling, CA Stores, leather manufacturing, fruit processing and textiles are presently running from IGC Lassipora.
FCIK President and local entrepreneurs interacted with the Chief Minister and raised demands for laying of quality infrastructure, security and ease of doing business and facilitation in Government purchases.
The Minister for Horticulture, A. R. Veeri, in his remarks, favoured establishment of CA stores to allow import of high-density plants, which are required to boost the horticulture produce. “The stores will help prevent nearly 4 lakh metric tonnes of fruit go as waste every year,” he added.
Minister for I&C, Chander Parkash, said he has discussed in detail the issues confronting the Valley industry with representatives of KCCI and FCIK. “We will further improve ease of doing business and develop potential industries by focusing on our strengths,” he added.
Minister for Finance, Haseeb A. Drabu, in his address, said he will look into improving banking facilities at IGC Lassipora, including establishment of a Cooperative Bank. He also invited suggestions from entrepreneurs for making the State’s new industrial policy more investor-friendly.
While reviewing progress of work on the Circular Road around Pulwama Town, the Chief Minister directed Chief Engineer R&B, to speed up pace of work on the project so that a bypass access is provided to vehicular traffic towards Shopian and onwards to Mughal Road. He was informed that Rs. 13.72 crore have so far been utilized on the project costing Rs. 28.27 crore. The work on the 6.3 km stretch Circular Road has been completed up to BT level. It was given out in the meeting that Rs. 6.76 crore of additional funds are required to acquire 52 kanals of land to complete the project.
During his visit to Government District Hospital, the Chief Minister asked the DC to project the requirement of the hospital in terms of doctors and paramedics, space and medical equipment so that it functions to its optimum level. He was informed that laparoscopic, general and gynae-obstetrics’ surgeries are performed at the hospital.
At DC Office, Pulwama, the Chief Minister met with the representative delegations of Auqaf Islamia and Traders Federation, who raised demands of overall development of Pulwama town. He also met a delegation of Contractors’ Association, which raised the demand of their pending payment with PHE, I&FC Department.
Mufti Sayeed also visited Chandgam to identify state land for establishment of a fruit mandi. The DC informed the Chief Minister that a total of 1077 kanals of land is available at multiple locations in Chandgam out of which one can be selected for setting up the mandi.
For Chandgam Government High School, the Chief Minister announced immediate construction of separate lavatory blocks for girl wards and a computer lab for the students of the school. He also visited the Government Central High School, Pulwama, where 207 students are presently studying in 9th and 10th standards
Minister of State for Power, I&C, H&UDD, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, MLA Pulwama, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, MLA Wachi, Aijaz Ahmad, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner / Secretary, Agriculture Production, Asgar Samoon, IGP, Kashmir, SMJ Geelani, DC Pulwama, Neeraj Kumar and SSP Pulwama, Tejinder Singh, Chief Engineers of R&B and I&FC, besides several other senior officers also accompanied the Chief Minister.
