Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla has said that Government has earmarked Rs. 3 crore for channelizing of existing drains and construction of new drains in Channi Himmat under JKUSDIP package.This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) officers after laying foundation of 3287 meter long R2 deep drain at Channi Himmat, here today.Director Tourism, Mr. Soujanya Sharma, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board, Mr. Ram Pal Sharma besides senior officers of ERA were present on the occasion. Bhalla said that Rs. 14.87 crore have been earmarked for channelizing R1, R2 and R3 nallahs. He said that work is in full swing on the three projects and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He asked the ERA to use quality material on the development works executed across the State.
The Minister said that Government has prepared a detailed project report of Rs. 65 crore for channelization and modernization of Barsati nallahs of Sunjwan, Bathindi and Gangyal, adding that all the codal formalities have been completed for early start of the project. Earlier, Mr. Bhalla kick started upgradation work of internal link roads, drainage and modernization of recreation parks at Channi Himmat, Sector-7 costing Rs. 75 lakh. He asked J&K Housing Board (JKHB) to complete all the ongoing projects within stipulated time frame for the benefit of general masses.Taking serious notice on the dumping of building material on road side in Sector-7 of Channi Himmat, the Minister called upon the residents to remove building material from roads so that the ongoing macadamization and drainage works will not suffer. He asked the officers of JMC to issue notices to those who have dumped the material and get the material removed from the roads.Later, Mr. Bhalla visited Sector-5 and Sector-4 of the colony and inspected the progress of ongoing development works coming up at a cost of Rs 90 lakh. asked the JKHB to speed-up the work to ensure completion of ongoing projects within stipulated time frame.Bhalla said development of Housing Colonies in urban as well as rural areas of the State was receiving main focus of the Government.He said Rs. 3.50 crore have approved for creation of health club, swimming pool besides a recreation centre facilities on the available land near the Green Belt Park in Channi Himmat Sector-1.