Advisor Baseer tours Srinagar city, inspects key tourism dev projects

Srinagar : Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Khan Monday visited several locations of Srinagar city to assess the ongoing development and renovation initiatives launched by the Tourism Department.
During his visit, the Advisor directed the executing agencies to expedite the pace of work on various projects for their timely completion. He stressed upon the officers for constant monitoring of these projects so that tangible results are achieved on the ground.
He was accompanied by various officers of Tourism and other allied departments. During his visit to monitor the renovation and up-gradation of the stone building at Old Secretariat he directed the authorities to fast pace the renovation works and complete the pending works within the stipulated time frame. The overall renovation cost of the building amounts to 1.33 Crore and is being executed by the tourism department.
The monument has been declared as a protected monument and restoration works are being done to restore it to its pristine glory.
The Advisor also inaugurated 125 KVA Diesel Generator set at the Tourist City Centre at TRC here in presence of Director Tourism Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani. The DG Set would overcome the power peak demand shortages of TRC. He also inspected the high-end tourist bus, parking space at the Centre and bio-toilets.
While speaking on the occasion, he directed the concerned authorities to take accurate steps in order to make best use of the bio-toilets. He said proper locations should be identified in order to make optimum use of these toilet facilities.
Later, the Advisor also visited the Shikara ghats along the boulevard road that are being beautified and developed for easy to approach for tourists and Shikarawalas.
He also directed the authorities that any upgradation and modification works of the ghats should be competed at an earliest for attracting maximum number of tourists to these spots.
He also directed the authorities that other pending ghats should be projected in the next plan.
He was informed that tourism department had made 22 ghats that are being developed and made easy to approach for tourists.
On the occasion, Advisor Baseer Khan also interacted with the Shikarawalas who projected their grievances and gave them a patient hearing.
He also visited the Hazratbal Shrine and inspected the various projects that are being executed there under Prime Minister’s Development Package.
The ambitious project for the development of the revered Hazratbal Shrine and its adjoining areas on the banks of the Dal Lake aims to construct tensile structures for prayers during summer and monsoon, four-laning of ‘Dargah’ entrance, illuminating the shrine complex, separate ablution spaces for male and female, dormitory for devotees, parking complex and library.
The Advisor was informed that works are going in tandem and will be completed within the stipulated time frame.
He was also informed that the separate ablution spaces for male and females will be completed within a period of four months.
The Advisor also visited Nigeen Club and inspected the works going on there under the PMDP and directed the concerned to pace up the works of parking places, paths and other works.
During his visit, he impressed upon the officers to work in synergy with each other to remove any difficulties coming in the way of progress of the works.