Pristine glory of wular lake to be restored: Gul

BANDIPORA: The central government has approved funding of Rs 389 crore for conservation and development of Asia’s largest Wular Lake. The funds would be released in a phased manner and Rs. 20 crore have been released by the Centre for the purpose during current fiscal.
This information was given out in a district administration meeting of Bandipora chaired by Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mubarak Gul held here today.
The Advisor said that the pristine glory of Wular Lake would be restored by its conservation and beautification to attract worldwide tourists. He said in this regard government is going to frame Wullar Development Authority for executing this prestigious project.
Mr. Gul asked the concerned officers to initiate necessary steps for early execution of the project, adding the project also envisages road connectivity around the lake, deweeding, desilting, and removal of plantation in lake and eviction of lake land from encroachment.
Mr. Gul directed concerned officers that while execution of the project Mahigeers residing on banks of the lake should not be dislocated and fauna and flora in the lake which is both ends meet of fisherman community should not be affected. He asked concerned to start demarcating of the lake as it is known that lake has 14 kilometre length and 7.5 kilometre breadth area. He said the affected families would be compensated.
Meanwhile, during the meeting the District Development Commissioner Bandipora, Mr. Manzoor Ahmed Lone apprised the Advisor about status of some mega projects being executed in Bandipora. He informed that upgradation work on Rs. 29 crore Bandipora-Sopore Road project is in progress while as work of two blocks of Mini Secretariat Bandipora have been completed and third one would be completed by end of this fiscal, for the purpose government has allocated funds to the tune of Rs. 20 crore.
DDC apprised the Advisor that work on Kaloosa bridge and 100 bedded district hospital Bandipora is also apace and would be completed within stipulated time frame.
While reviewing pace of progress of upgradation of Bandipora-Srinagar road, the Advisor directed DDC to take immediate steps for repairs of ditches of the road, as commuters should not suffer in to and fro, till the BEACON would take up the complete project of widening of the road.
The Advisor also reviewed stock and supply position of essential commodities dispatched to Gurez to cater needs of consumer of the area during winter months.
He was informed that 25000 quintals of rice besides adequate quantity of Sugar, Atta, Wheat, K-Oil and LPG cylinders stocked in warehouses of the Tehsil, sufficient to suffice the needs of the consumers of the area up to June next.
Mr. Gul impressed upon the concerned authorities to ensure full stocking of necessary food grains and other essential commodities in the area before closure of road for convenience of the people.
Member Legislative Assembly Gurez who also participated in the meeting hailed the steps taken by the government for smooth development of remote areas like Gurez. He urged posting of specialist Doctors in various fraternity during winter in Gurez Hospitals on interval basis. He also demanded for regular Helicopter service from Bandipora to Gurez during winter months and suggested that bed strength of district hospital Bandipora would be upgraded up to 150 beds so that people of remote areas not face any inconvenience for their treatment.
The Advisor assured Legislature that these matters would be taken up with the Chief Minister and other Ministers on priority for appropriate action.