Srinagar: In keeping with the initiative to make The Bund, Lal Chowk pedestrian-only road, Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar and Minister for Education Altaf Bukhari Wednesday personally started the blockage of all vehicle plying or parking on the historic road.
The Ministers who were on a day-long tour of Amira Kadal constituency said the Bund has its rich historical legacy and government will take steps in a phased manner to restore its glory. Akhtar directed the officials to develop the Bund road completely edge to edge all along the Abdullah Bridge to Old Zero Bridge. The Minister also directed to remove the encroachments and parked vehicles from the Bund. He said the Jhelum embankment will be developed and further improved upon with new parks.
At Abi Guzar, the Ministers directed the officials to construct a washroom block for the locals and shopkeepers. Taking strong note of disarray at the vacant plot of land at Lambert Lane, the Ministers directed the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to clean the entire area and explore its possibility to be used as a parking spot.
The Ministers directed the concerned officials complete the removal of all silt accumulated near banks at the earliest. The Minister expressed their displeasure at a huge wall being erected on the side of Handloom office on Bund and said the same should be designed in a way that entire park is visible from Bund. The work on the further construction of the wall was immediately halted.
The Minister also directed the officials to develop the path under the new zero bridge so that the upgraded Bund road is taken upto old Zero bridge.
Later the Minister also reviewed the work going on the Zero Bridge-Rambagh toad project project. They expressed the satisfaction at the pace of work. Akhtar said the road will go a long way in easing the traffic woes in the city as it will provide a useful alternate road. It was decided that the compensation or alternate land for the displaced families will also be resolved at the earliest.
The Ministers were accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Chief Engineer R&B, I&FC and other officials.
