Continuing with his public-outreach initiative, Minister for R&B, Gardens & Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, today, visited interior areas of Mehjoor Nagar, Kursoo and Rajbagh to get firsthand account of the people’s problems on account of basic facilities including roads, drainage, potable water and power supply.The places visited by the Minister today were the worst hit residential areas of the Amirakadal Constituency in September 2014 floods.Earlier last week, the Minister had toured Nowgam and its adjoining areas and assessed the problems of the people.Besides MLA Ms Anjum Fazili, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, Chief Engineer R&B, Mr R.K Razdan, senior officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Irrigation and Flood Control, PHE, PDD, CA&PD, Revenue and other departments accompanied the Minister.
While inspecting construction site of a bridge, connecting Mehjoor Nagar with Jawahar Nagar, the Minister was informed that Rs. 42 crore are being spent on this project including two grade-separators at TRC. The Minister instructed concerned engineers to restore the footbridge which has been damaged in the last years’ floods so that the students and old aged persons get easy and nearest road connectivity. He asked them to restore this important connectivity on temporary basis immediately till the bridge is completed and thrown open for public.During the visit a large number of men and women met the Minister and demanded early black-topping of roads, construction of drains, upgradation of lanes, replacement of old electric poles and wires, construction of community halls besides restoration of services affected during last years’ floods. The Minister instructed concerned engineers, accompanying him, to conduct survey of these areas and frame projects so that funds could be arranged accordingly.
Talking to the people, the Minister said that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed lead Government does not believe in making false promises but will do whatever is possible within available resources. He said; “Our policy is to serve the people irrespective of their political affiliations”, adding that serving to people will remain high on the agenda of the present Government.The Minister also visited Middle School Mehjoor Nagar.The people also complained about discrepancies in disbursement of flood relief among the affected people of these areas. The Minister instructed the revenue officers, accompanying him, to re-assess the issues and address the grievances of the complainants early. “This is a humanitarian issue and needs to be addressed sympathetically”, said the Minister, adding that wilful negligence on part of any official on this account will be viewed seriously.The Minister instructed the authorities of I&FC and SMC to deploy heavy dewatering pumps in Kursoo and other water logged areas to drain out the stagnant water before it becomes cause of any epidemics.