The Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today directed the officers to introduce several new measures and innovations to ensure that the people get the quality facilities, so that twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar come up as model cities of the country.The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing officers during the review meeting of Srinagar Municipal Corporation here today. It was attended by the Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Mr. Bipul Pathak, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mr. Showkat Ahmad Zargar and other senior officers.The Deputy Chief Minister asked the officers to work out a comprehensive mechanism by which the illegal constructions and encroachments can be checked.“We have to ensure that the violators should not be allowed to undertake constructions in the areas which are not classified as commercial one,” he said.Dr. Singh also said that the garbage disposal at Achan would be done on scientific basis by way of chemical treatment which would go a long way in solving the chronic issue of garbage and waste disposal.
He said that the sanitation measures should also be undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in order to ensure overall cleanliness of the city.The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the officers to expedite the work on various developmental initiatives being undertaken by the corporation so that the people get benefitted from these. He said that the timelines set for these should be strictly adhered to.The meeting was told that 2861 house building permissions have been granted till date by the Corporation, especially to the flood victims by way of the single window system. It was also told that the considerable amount of revenue is being generated by hiring various community centers to the people.Later, the Deputy Chief Minister also took a review meeting of the Srinagar Development Authority which was attended by the Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Mr Bipul Pathak, Secretary SDA, Director Land Management, Dr Nasir and other senior officers of the authorities.The meeting reviewed the pace of work being undertaken on various developnetal initiatives undertaken by the authority, which include Shehjar Apartments at Bemina, Satellite Township at Rakhe Gund Aksha, Railhead Complex Nowgam and Traffic Management besides the Master Plan.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to work in close coordination with the other departments which are also related to the developmental initiatives of the authority so that the bottlenecks if any are removed and the work is completed within the stipulated time period.Dr. Singh also asked the officers to work out various mechanisms by which the holistic development of this historic city can be undertaken by including the various private players as well on the PPP mode. He said that the necessary formalities needed in this regard should be strictly adhered to.“The authority assumes significance in view of the rapidly increasing demand of the people for undertaking construction of residential houses besides other related amenities and the onus lies on it come up with a comprehensive proposal and means for the same” Dr. Singh maintained.