Minister for Tourism Gh.Ahmed Mir convened a high level meeting to review the ongoingSewerage Treatment Plants in Jammu and Srinagar cities here today.Secretary Tourism MrZafar Ahmed Bhat , Secretary Housing and Urban Development MrSatish Nehru , Director Tourism Jammu MrSoujanya Sharma .,Director Tourism Kashmir Mr TalatParvaiz and other senior officers attended the meeting
The chair was informed that the sewage treatment project for Srinagar and Jammu cities are apace in phased manner and in the initial three phases of project implementation in Srinagar areas of Boulevard ,DalgateBuchwara ,Gagribal ,Nehru Park,Khonakhan,Abi-Buchwara /Khayam,Nowpora ,Khanyar ,Nigeen ,Saderbal ,AshaiBagh,Nishat ,Shalimar and Harwan have been covered. The Minister was informed that in Jammu City most of the areas including Jewel Chowk, Chand Nagar, Residency Road, KathkianTalab, Parade and other parts have been covered and areas across river Tawi will be incorporated in the next phase.The Minister asked for maintaining synergy between the department of Housing and Urban development ,executing agencies and other line departments to ensure that the bottlenecks impeding the project implementation are removed in time as the sewage project is a crucial step towards creating sustainable infrastructure having an important impact on the environment .He asked the concerned departments to prepare the DPR’s so that the issue is taken up with Government of India for early release of funds to ensure expansion of the project to incorporate the uncovered areas on priority .He also stressed on taking up the restoration works to ensure that the people do not face inconvenience The Minister was informed that the STP’S will ensure disposal of sewage from the residential units and other commercial units like hotels and guest houses operating in the area .While the commercial units shall be levied user charges for extended connections with these sewage trunks Mir said that it is vital that all the parameters for environmental conservation are met during the course of development and promoting tourism sector in the state.