Mufti undertakes Srinagar tour for firsthand appraisal of developmental projects

SRINAGAR, MAY 11(KMW): Continuing his tour of the summer capital to take firsthand appraisal of the ongoing developmental projects and the follow up action taken on his directions during his previous visit, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today visited Imam Bara, Shrine of Shamsuddin Iraqi (RA) and Baba Mazaar at Zadibal, Sangarmal Shopping Complex, Chinar Bagh, Amar Singh Club, Old Zero Bridge, Srinagar Club, SPS Museum and Tagore Hall.
Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu, Minister for IT, YS&S and Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Asiya Naqash, MLA Zadibal, Abid Ansari, MLA Batmaloo, Noor Mohammad and MLC Khursheed Alam, accompanied the Chief Minister.
Mufti Sayeed had earlier carried out a detailed tour of Srinagar city on April 27 last month amidst heavy rains.
While visiting Imam Bara at Zadibal, the Chief Minister went inside and around the premises. He issued directions to DC Srinagar and Chief Engineer, R&B, to immediately prepare a detailed plan for acquisition of additional 200 ft. land surrounding the Imam Bara for its expansion.
Mufti Sayeed asked Director Tourism, Kashmir, to develop the approach road from Gasiyar to Imam Bara under Pilgrim Tourism. He also directed Public Works, Tourism & Revenue Departments to do perspective planning for developing the Imam Bara.
The Chief Minister also visited the shrine of Shamsuddin Iraqi (RA) where he was briefed about the ongoing works. The Tourism Department has so far released Rs. 1.47 crore out of the total project cost of Rs. 3.45 crore for the said project. He instructed Director Tourism to release the balance funds so that JKPCC, which is the executing agency, is able to complete the work within the stipulated timeline.
Mufti Sayeed also visited Baba Mazaar, where he offered Fateha to late Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the SPS Museum, near Raj Bagh, where he was briefed that nearly 80,000 rare artefacts are safe from the floods of September 2014. The Chief Minister directed the Tourism & Culture Departments to highlight the treasure trove so that the Museum regains the focus of the art and heritage lovers. “Till the new Museum building is completed, the old structure, where these artefacts are housed, should be properly maintained for display,” he directed.
The Chief Minister also inspected the under-renovation Tagore Hall and asked the concerned executing agency to complete the project by October this year.
While inspecting the work on Old Zero Bridge, Mufti Sayeed directed the Chief Engineer R&B to develop it as a heritage bridge displaying wooden viewing-decks in semi-circle, food kiosks on both sides and a dedicated pedestrian path. This, the Chief Minister, will be a major attraction for visitors, especially culture lovers.
Mufti Sayeed also inspected the beautification works on Jhelum banks from Zero Bridge to Srinagar Club and asked for removal of all encroachments including the concertina wires to facilitate the movement of the visitors.
During his visit to Sangarmal, the Chief Minister issued directions to VC SDA to immediately prepare a plan for optimally utilizing 42 kanals of additional land on the rear side of the Complex. He also passed directions for making the water fountains and power lights within the Mall functional by May 28 so that people are attracted towards the Mall, especially in the evening hours.
Mufti Sayeed also inspected the Chinar Bagh, which is being maintained by the Tourism Department. He instructed Director Tourism to maintain the park by making the musical fountain functional so that it becomes a place of tourist interest for the visitors. He also directed VC LAWDA to take up cleaning ofTschount Kohul so that the surrounding area around the picturesque Chinar Bagh is beautified.
At Amar Singh Club, the Chief Minister passed instructions to Chief Engineer, R&B, to fence the Club premises. He also interacted with the members of the historic recreational centre, which has been established way back in 1933.
During his visit to Srinagar Club, Mufti Sayeed passed instructions to Deputy Commissioner for immediately taking over of the round-the-clock protection of the Club premises by J&K Police.
At Children’s Park, being developed by I&FC near Zero Bridge, the Chief Minister was briefed about the restoration of the park which was badly damaged in last year’s floods fury.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Lone, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Farooq A. Shah, VC LAWDA, Sarmad Hafeez, VC SDA, Saleem Sheshgar, Chief Town Planner, Kashmir, Iftikhar Hakim, SSP Srinagar, Amit Kumar and Chief Engineers of I&FC, PDD & R&B, besides several other senior officers were also present.