Minister for R&B, Gardens Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is keen to provide adequate and modern recreational facilities to the populace of Shehr-i-Khas, especially children, and has ordered for development Eidgah park as an amusement park. He said efforts are on to start special bus service from 7 pm to 11 pm to restore night life in the capital city.This was stated by the Minister while addressing at an inaugural function of The Rocking Rides for children, organized by the Millchaar Group aimed to give special recreational facilities to the children here at Sangarmall shopping complex today. These facilities are first of its kind made available at any shopping Mall of the Valley.Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Hussain Samoon, Secretary Cultural Academy, Dr Aziz Hajni, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Talat Parvez, Director Land Records, SDA, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, General Manager, JKPCC, Waqar Shunthoo, besides Mushtaq Ali, Ms Sumon Raina and Ms Saima from Milchaar Group were present on the occasion.
Syed Altaf Bukhari said that people of the Valley have passed through a long spell of turmoil and want to live a peaceful life. He said organizing such events is aimed to give recreational space to the children and true picture of the Valley about the situation of the State which is improved considerably now. He said the facility introduced first time in the Valley on one hand will make children happy while on other hand flourish the business of the shopkeepers here.
Appreciating the organizing group for holding the event, the Minister said that this will send a good message to the people across the country that Kashmir is best and peaceful place for tourism. He said a food court would be established at Lal Chowk, besides starting night bus service to keep business and recreational activities going on till late in the evening. He said the business units of Lal chowk have suffered a lot during past flood, adding keeping this business hub open in late hours will compensate their lose to some extent.
Altaf Bukhari said that Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has given him instructions for developing Eidgah Park as an amusement park with state- of- the- art recreational facilities. He said Rs. 20 crore is being spent on the development of the Park. “Development of Eidgah park was the dream of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed” said the Minister, adding that Chief Minister is personally monitoring the plan formulated for its beautification.R&B Minister announced 40 LED lights of 60 watt to the Shopping Mall out of his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as it falls within Amirakadal Constituency, the Minister is representing. He asked the authorities of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) to develop the areas occupied by them around the Mall to improve the outlook of this business centre.Divisional Commissioner, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of the event. He said that recreational activities are as important as getting academic education. He said efforts are on to make recreational facilities available to the children at their nearest place of residence. He said Sangarmal will be developed further to attract the attention of the customers.