New developmental plan on anvil for beautification of Lal Chowk: Edu Minister

Srinagar/April,29: Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Saturday directed for formulating a modern developmental plan for Lal Chowk that will take care of all its basic needs and will lead to its becoming a centre of attraction for locals and tourists alike.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting held to review the pace of developmental work in the Amira Kadal Constituency. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, VC SDA, Director Education, Chief Engineers of R&B, IFC and PDD, Commissioner SMC and other officials.
The Minister directed for constituting a committee comprising of officials from SDA, SMC, R&B and other experts, who will form a modern developmental plan for Lal Chowk. He said the new plan will take care of all the needs of roads, footpath, open spaces, beautification, electricity, etc., adding that the new and developed Lal Chowk will emerge as a center of attraction for locals and tourists alike.
On the occasion, the Minister was briefed about various developmental works underway in the Constituency that will ease difficulties of people in a major way. The Commissioner SMC informed the Minister that while 71 various developmental works have been completed some 31 number of works are currently ongoing in the Constituency.
While directing the concerned to expedite the ongoing works on various parks, stadiums and public places, the Minister said night lighting facility will be installed at the Polo View Ground. He also said a park will be built adjacent to the Sangarmall Shopping Complex here.
With regard to threat from floods in the City, the Minister said dredging work in River Jhelum will be expedited to minimize the risk of floods. He issued directions for clearing the flood channel of encroachments and trees within the next 15 days. Bukhari said since the Amira Kadal Constituency was the worst hit during the September 2014 floods special attention was needed to restore its glory. “Amira Kadal Constituency is not just the business hub of the Srinagar City but the place is also fully loaded with tourism potential which needs to be explored and incremented at the earliest,” the Minister said.
Bukhari also reviewed the status of rehabilitation of people being shifted due to road widening. The Minister asked all sectoral officers to ensure availability of basic amenities to the people by way of augmentation of infrastructure in their respective areas.
On the occasion, the officers of the Education Department were asked to chalk out a comprehensive proposal for creation and reorientation of separate educational zones for all the eight constituencies in Srinagar. “By this way, the Department will be able to go for optimum utilization of resources besides improving the monitoring of quality of education in a more efficient manner,” the Minister said.
The meeting also discussed the status of creation of receiving station at Hari Nambal ground at Natipora, laying of essential electricity line for the dewatering station at Mehjoor Nagar, improvement in LT network at Hari Singh High Street, Saraibala, Goni Khan and Maharaja Bazar, status of erection of tubular poles and replacement of damaged conductor wires in the Constituency. Besides, discussions were also held on creation of sub-stations at Chinar Colony Mehjoor Nagar, Dar Mohalla Ram Bagh and Bank Colony Rawalpora, status of maintenance of street lights, especially high mass lights, installed by the PDD in the entire Constituency.
Bukhari also emphasized on proper   allocation of ration in government depots and fair price shops across Amira Kadal. Regarding the facilities available in healthcare institutions in the Constituency, the Minister   asked for rationalization of staff, including paramedics, in different health centers depending upon the rush in OPDs. He also directed the concerned officer to explore the possibility of upgradation of various dispensaries and PHCs here.