Former Minister and MLA Amirakadal Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday hailed the keenness of Mehbooba Mufti, Honb’le Chief Minister for restoring the immaculate magnificence of Srinagar city. Addressing the District Development Board meeting at SKICC, here, Bukhari said: “I am grateful that Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, the Honb’le Chief Minister has shown keen interest in restoration of pristine glory and the historic importance of Srinagar city. Her recent initiatives in almost all sectors have been taken to a successful culmination by providing much needed relief to its people.”The former minister raised and sought Chief Minster’s personal intervention in the issues of public importance in almost all sectors of the development pertaining to his Constituency. Bukhari also thanked the Honb’le Chief Minister for her affirmative directions in issues raised by him during the meeting.
However, Bukhari agreed with his colleagues in the meeting that the approved district plan outlay of only Rs 102 Crores is very insufficient as compared to district plan outlays approved for other districts of the State. The Honb’le Chief Minister while taking cognizance of the genuine concerns expressed by the members of the Board assured that the approved district plan outlay will be supplemented by funds under State sector plan to be chalked out separately for the two capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu. Bukhari also thanked the administration for its support and cooperation in the efforts of the present dispensation to develop Srinagar as best destination in the country.
Health Sector
While demanding a separate medical zone to be established in Amirakadal for better supervision of hospitals, Bukhari said the Indian Public Health System (IPHS) guidelines must be followed on ground in letter and spirit.He demanded buildings to be constructed for Nine (9) hospitals in Amirakadal presently functioning in rented accommodations Viz: Urban Public Health Centre (UPHC) Maisuma, UPHC Mehjoor Nagar, New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Barzulla, NTPHC Rawalpora, NTPHC Rambagh, UPHC Aramwari Zero Bridge, Sub Centres Hyderpora, Peerbagh and Gangbugh. The former minister said Primary Health Centre Chanapora be upgraded to Sub District Hospital in light of IPHS norms. Similarly, he said that Sub Centre Jawahir Nagar be upgraded as New Type PHC. Bukhari also demanded that Sub Centres Natipora and Sanat Nagar be upgraded into NTPHC.The former minister said patients of haemodialysis are reportedly charged 15% service tax in private sector and this trend needs to be checked and remedial measures be taken accordingly.
Education
While demanding a separate educational zone for Amirakadal constituency for better supervision of schools, Bukhari said school infrastructure in the constituency in terms of accommodation, laboratories, libraries, electricity and playgrounds need to be augmented.He said drinking water supply be provided in all schools especially in girls schools in the constituency. Similarly, Bukhari demanded shifting of the premises of government High School from Natipora Asthan to Khall near marriage hall Natipora and also its upgradation to Higher Secondary level.Power SectorLaying emphasis on an urgent need for up-gradation and improvement of electric network, Bukhari demanded improvement of 100 existing sub-station in the constituency.He said that there is a dire need of replacement of Sodium Vapour lamps by LED'S on the existing poles on main roads viz Baghat Chowk upto Old Airport, Rambagh upto Bag-e-Mehtab via Chanpora, Jawahir Nagar Bund, Rajbagh upto Rambagh Bund (Both Sides), Zero Bridge upto Rambagh via LD hospital, Zero Bridge upto Bhakshi Stadium via Ikhrajpora and IG road. He sought Chief Minster’s intervention in directing PDD to take installation/maintenance of the monopole and octagonal towers.Bukhari also demanded maintenance of buffer stock for replacement of damaged transformers during winters. The MLA Amirakadal also invited attention of the Honb’le Chief Minister towards areas where creations, improvement and extensions are proposed as the existing sub stations are reportedly heavily overloaded.
PHE Sector
For operation and maintenance of water supply system, Bukhari stressed on creation of at least two divisions for Water Works department, Srinagar, so that it can cater to population of about 16.00 lacs.He also demanded technical/experienced staff required for operation and maintenance of 10 Mega Gallon per Day (MGD) Water Treatment Plan of Sukhnag and 10 MGD Water Treatment Plant Tangnar that were commissioned in June 2016.Bukhari laid stress on arrangement and release of Rs.8.41 Crores required on account of execution of works for extending distribution system in areas of Srinagar including Amirakadal constituency where service level can improve with the availability of water from water supply schemes of Sukhnag and Tangnar.For a proposal of Greater Srinagar City, Bukhari urged the Chief Minster to take up the reduction of 10 per cent in central assistance of the project cost of Water Supply schemes of Sukhnag and Tangnar amounting to Rs.10.00 crores and Rs.13.35 crores respectively. He said this drastic reduction is bound to have a huge physical impact on project components of these Flagship schemes.
R&B Sector
The former public works minister demanded a separate corridor that will connect Srinagar railway station to TRC Lalchowk via Padshahi Bagh Lasjan. He also demanded lane separators at Sanatnagar and Natipora to Chanapora be approved for smooth ply of traffic. Besides demanding maintenance and repairs of all damaged roads in Amirakadal constituency Bukhari sought funds to the tune of Rs 4. 70 Cr for construction of damaged Old Barzulla Bridge. Irrigation and Flood Control. While recalling the devastation caused by the September 2014 deluge, Bukhari sought immediate administrative authorization for the Draft Plan for comprehensive Flood Management of River Jhelum and its tributaries that has been prepared for a cost of 2083 Crores. He said that there is a dire to accelerate the pace of work of dredging of River Jhelum and strengthening of its embankments using geotextile material.Bukhari said that a policy be framed for allotment of plots in favour of fire victims of The Bund who are not accorded permission for re-construction of their houses. He also sought immediate disposal of pending plan of shifting/rehabilitation of House Boats from River Jhelum as per old norms.
Relief and Rehab
The former minister demanded immediate disbursement of full monetary relief among the flood sufferers wherever pending. He also invited the intervention of the Board chairperson that timber be made available to State Forest Corporation (SFC) for the immediate issuance in favour of the flood victims who want to go for re-construction/repair or renovation of their houses.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation
Bukhari also raised the issue of acquisition of five residential structures for road widening from Astan Chowk Natipora to Masjid Sharif Mahjoor Nagar for management of traffic from Nowgam Road to Mahjoor Nagar Bridge. He demanded that foot bridge at Natipora Taar be converted made motorable in order to ease out traffic congestion in the area. Besides upgradation of all de-watering stations in Amirakadal, Bukhari demanded up-gradation and extension of existing drainage network in and around Amirakadal Constituency including the areas like Gangbugh, Roselane Chanapora, Nowgam, Rahim Bagh Mahjoor Nagar.
SDA
The former minister demanded that multi layer parking facilities be established at Press Enclave and Shiekh Bagh so as to ease traffic congestion in the city centre.Youth Service and SportsThe MLA Amirakadal demanded that stadium at Natipora Khal be constructed as the requisite land available in front of Community Hall.Home Department The MLA Amirakadal demanded establishment of fire service stations at Chanpora, Natipora, Humhama, Rajbagh and Wanbal Rawalpora. (KNS)