Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar today said that various developmental projects including decongestion of various localities, landscaping, road widening and other works will soon change the shape of Downtown Srinagar.The Minister was speaking to various delegations of people during his extensive tour to Downtown Srinagar. He reviewed the pace of work on Community Centre cum Marriage Hall at Chandpur and Kawdara and directed the officials to complete the projects at the earliest. He also asked the officials to simultaneously widen the approach roads and start acquisition of structures in this regard.The Minister also visited the road stretch from Aali Kadal to Rajouri Kadal, whose widening has been pending for a long time. The Minister assured the people that the bottlenecks in the widening of this road will be removed soon. He said that the road will benefit a large section of people in the inner city.
The Minister visited the Dastgeer Sahab Shrine where he issued directions for beautification. He also directed the officials to remove the encroachments from the park in front of the shrine. The Minister also issued the direction to fast-track the widening of road from Khanyar to Babademb. He said that the structures coming on the road will be acquired soon. He said that the road will also help in the easy movement of pilgrims to Dastgeer Sahab Shrine.At Babademb the Minister expressed his concern on the encroachments on the banks of the water body. The Minister directed the police and SMC officials to remove the encroachments at the earliest. He said that the government is working on a plan to clean the water body to make it a place of attraction for locals and tourists alike.
He said that the pristine glory of Babademb will be restored soon as the work is already underway. The Minister said that the dredging of the waterbody is underway and efforts will be put in, if the need arises. He said that the land is being acquired to expand the expanse of the waterbody. He said that Babademb will emerge as a beautiful spot when the entire development works in completed.Enroute number of delegations from various areas met the Minister and apprised him of their problems related to drainage, power supply, water supply and other basic amenities. The Minister gave on the spot directions to redress the issues.The Minister was accompanied by MLC Khurshid Aalam, Chief Engineer R&B, I&FC and other officials.