Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, today convened a meeting to review the implementation of Chief Minister’s commitments and District Development Board (DDB) decisions for district Srinagar.Officers from the Education, Higher Education, Police, SDA, PHE, I&FC, Prisons, R&B, JKTDC, JKPCC, Sports Council, Health and other concerned Departments attended the meeting.On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner was informed that 118 commitments made by the CM out of 200 have been fulfilled, while the rest are under implementation. Similarly, 18 decisions were implemented out of 45 in DDB decisions and the rest are under implementation.Dr Lone said the summer capital needs focused attention vis-à-vis proper sewerage and drainage network, restoration of encroached public spaces to de-congest city center, improving connectivity by way of upgrading roads, fortifying embankments and dredging of river Jhelum.Calling for complete synergy between various Departments involved in infrastructure building and implementation of various welfare schemes, the DC said he has ordered strict adherence to timelines for completion of all ongoing projects so that the people at large can benefit.The DC observed that in view of the limited working season in Kashmir valley, work in double shifts on ongoing projects where adequate funding is available should be explored by the concerned executing agencies.He also directed the revenue officials to fast-track all land acquisition cases so that bottlenecks in widening of roads in the city are removed.
The DC also reviewed skill development centres, especially in Shahar-e-Khaas, for promotion of handicrafts as well as artisans whose nimble hands make the finest of products that sustained Kashmir's economy in past.Asking I&FC Department to expedite dredging and de-silting of river Jhelum on war footing basis, Dr. Lone said he will personally monitor the pace of work.On the issue of effective implementation of R-APDRP in Srinagar city, he directed the PDD to immediately remove bottlenecks so that available resources under the Centrally-sponsored schemes are utilized without any further delay.The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the thrust areas of Annual Plan 2016-17 which includes dredging and de-silting of river Jhelum and its spill-over channels, improving connectivity by macadamizing 500-km road length, early completion of Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh Expressway Corridor, widening of roads and construction of additional grade separators, completion of under-construction bridges, de-congesting city for better traffic management, setting up housing colonies and community halls, laying of environment-friendly sewerage network, setting of smart class rooms and drainage network for greater Srinagar city and ensuring that benefits of CSSs percolate to the intended beneficiaries.He directed the officers to submit the present status of all projects within fifteen days so that the work on these projects can be monitored and completed within stipulated timeframe.