Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, accompanied by Minister of State for Power, Housing and Urban Development, Mohammad Ashraf Mir today, visited several parts of Sonawar constituency and took stock of progress of ongoing bridge and road projects coming up there.Chief Engineer, R&B Kashmir SK Razdan and other senior officers accompanied the ministers.The Minister inspected under construction 50 bed hospital at Harwan, Danihama-Darbagh road, Gandtal Darra-Faqir Gujri road and bridge coming up at a nallah near Dachigam.Reviewing the progress of 6-lanning of Sonawar-Galander road project, the Minister instructed Chief Engineer to start tendering process immediately, so that work on the project is started. He asked him to take up widening of Sonawar-Batwara portion of the road with the authorities of Cantonment Board and resolve the issues, if any, with the officers of Board.
The Minister also inspected on-going work of 50 bed hospital coming up at Harwan. He was informed that work is going on in full swing on this Rs 7.51 crore project and will be completed as per schedule next year.While inspecting widening and up-gradation of Danhama-Darbagh road, the Minister was informed that road has been completed and only approach road of the bridge, constructed on the road, is yet to be completed. He was told that the land owners whose land has been acquired for the purpose are demanding land compensation on higher rates. Minister asked the Chief Engineer to settle the land compensation cases, so that remaining work of the project is completed early.
The Minister also instructed concerned executive engineer to get half of 4km Gandtal Darra-Faqir Gujjri road during this season and rest in next year. He also asked him to get Aasthan Mohalla road macadamized with new specification of 75 mm.Syed Altaf also inspected ongoing work of a 27X1 mtr span bridge near Dachigam on which Rs. 96.45 lakh are being spent by R&B department. He instructed chief engineer to take necessary steps for widening of Harwan-Shalimar road.The Minister also inspected Harwan Park and directed officers of Floriculture department to take necessary steps for proper maintenance of the park. Responding to the complaints of the visitors for charging high entry rates, the Minister asked the officers to look into the matter and ensure that visitors are charged as per fixed rates of Rs 10 to adults and Rs 5 to children. He said this rate should remain operative in other Govt parks also.