DC Srinagar takes stock of measures for Restoration/Rejuvenation of Anchar Lake

Srinagar :The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Monday undertook an extensive tour of City areas to inspect progress of work being carried out at Qamarwari on Noor Jehan Bridge. He also visited Anchar Lake to take stock of measures being taken for its restoration and rejuvenation.
Besides, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Syed HaneefBalkhi, the DC was accompanied by Superintending Engineer, R&B Circular Road, Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic, Executive Engineer I&FC Division, Tehsildar Eidgah and other concerned.
At Qammerwari, while inspecting the pace of works on 127-meter-long Noor Jehan Bridge being constructed over River Jhelum at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the concerned executing agency to work in double shifts to ensure timely completion of the bridge so that people of the area are benefited. He also finalised the process of shifting of utilities coming in the alignment of the Approach Road.
To take stock of the measures being undertaken for the restoration and rejuvenation of historic Anchar Lake, the DC also visited Khushaalsar-AncharLakejunction at Aiwa Bridge, Zoonimar on Dr Ali Jan Road.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Tehsildar Eidgah to undertake demarcation of boundaries along the Anchar Lake from Zoonimar to Jenab Sahib Soura so that its original width is restored. While Irrigation & Flood Control department was also directed to start work of dredging/desilting in the Lake to restore and rejuvenate its original glory.
The DC also visited Jenab Sahib Soura and UmerhairBuchpora area along the banks of Anchar Lake to have first-hand appraisal about the Anchar Lake and action plan prepared for restoring decades old glory of the Lake.
The DC was informed that Rs 4.86 crore project has been earmarked for the restoration/rejuvenation of the Anchar Lake.
Signifying the importance of Anchar Lake, the DC said that Anchar is one of the important Lakes of Kashmir and Administration is taking concrete measures to save the water body and restore its pristine glory.
Pertinent to mention that, the Anchar Lake is located near Soura area of Srinagar District and is connected with Dal Lake via Nallah Amir Khan, which passes through Gilsar and KhushalSar lakes, has shrunken in length and width due to the encroachment and dumping of filth and garbage into the Lake over past several decades.
On the occasion, the local people in large number welcomed the DC and demanded timely restoration and rejuvenation of Anchar Lake. They also put forth some local issues. The DC listened to their demands and issues patiently and assured that all genuine issues will be looked into on priority. He appealed for community participation to revive/clean the Anchar Lake.