Most of the Srinagar Smart City works to be completed ahead of G20 summit: officials

Srinagar: Ahead of the G20 meeting, the summer capital is being spruced up and the massive works undertaken by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) are likely to be completed by the fortnight of this month.
J&K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta was informed by the officers during a meeting held in Srinagar on Saturday that all the 125 works are going on under SSCL at a satisfactory pace and most of them would be completed by May 15.
Preparations are on war footing for the smooth conduct of G20 meet which is the first major international event in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Mehta was also informed that around 125 works are going on under this Smart City Mission here and it was revealed that out of Rs 321.40 Cr released to SSCL the fund expenditure stands at more than 92%, an official statement said.
As the more funds from the Central Government for taking up more works under the Mission, would add better infrastructure and avenues to the summer capital of the Union Territory.
Mehta has impressed upon the officers of the SSCL including District and Divisional Administration to enhance necessary resources on all the sites where work is going on so that all identified works are completed by mid of this month
He exhorted upon the executing agencies to utilize the time very efficiently and continue working in double shifts for successfully completing the projects on time. He told them to see the weather reports for the upcoming week to make the best out of it.
He advised them to provide the labourers working on sites with necessary facilities so that they are able to work during inclement weather conditions.
The Chief Secretary urged the executing agencies to monitor the works round the clock for quality work and their timely completion. He asked them to remove the debris at all the completed sites for ease of people and prepare for dedicating them to the public at an earliest.
Taking work wise review he asked the Divisional Administration to make sure that aesthetics is maintained in all areas.
The Chief Secretary also took note of works to be done at Rambagh, Flood spill Channel, Lalla Ded Crossing, River front development, Cycle track construction, walkways improvement, Polo View, Gupkar Precinct, Ram Munshibagh Park, Development of Gupkar Road including that of works at Nishat and enroute SKICC.
He asked them to complete all of these works before May 15. He also enquired about the status of works to be taken in hand at TRC and Parimpora market.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned to make all the fountains including new ones functional in the Dal Lake. He also asked them to lit up the street lights along the Dal shore line and make all the installed light clusters functional for overall beautification of the area being the most visited place by the tourists on visit to the city.
He asked VC, LCMA to start water sports activities at Dal Lake besides installation of a jetty inside it. He also asked them to complete the designated works at ‘Char Chinar’ and ‘Panch Chinar’ to make them attractive for visitors. He told them that both these destinations have a good potential to attract the visitors thereby offering more opportunities to Shikara wallas and other traders there.
Dr Mehta also asked the Divisional Administration about the condition of Road up to Gulmarg and the status of works taken in hand there. He directed for making all the arrangements and ensuring that tourists do not face any inconvenience there.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PDD, Principal Secretary, PWD, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Secretary, Tourism, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Commissioner, SMC/JMC, VC, LCMA, Chief Engineers of PWD and KPDCL besides other concerned officers.
UNI