Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, today convened a meeting to review the progress of Smart City proposal for Srinagar.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and Commissioner SMC, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, Managing Director J&K Housing Board, VC SDA, VC LAWDA, Director Tourism, Director Floriculture, Director Health, Director Archives, Archaeology & Museums, RTO Kashmir, CEO ERA, Chief Town Planner, Chief Engineer PDD, PHE, UEED, SSP Traffic, Executive Officer JAKEDA and other concerned officers attended the meeting.During the meeting, it was said that the Smart City project would be completed at an estimated cost of over Rs 2900 crore. The Div Com was briefed that all the components have been incorporated in the draft smart city proposal like inclusiveness, open spaces, health, education etc.
In order to make the Srinagar more attractive, the meeting was informed that special focus has been given on the Smart Components which will encourage consistency in urban design and signage, while recognizing the importance of the existing historical architecture and the distinctive character within the community.It was given out that a total of 11 kilometers Façade Improvement has been suggested in the draft proposal. The Div Com directed all the concerned agencies involved in drafting of proposal to ensure retrofitting of structures in the City with least demolition. Stressing on the importance of sports infrastructure, he said a Smart City would be incomplete without proper sports upgdration and directed the concerned to have provision for same in the draft proposal. He also highlighted the need to have a proper bio-medical waste management system in place.To make Srinagar City eco-friendly, suggestions were mooted for the introduction of electric cars and need to minimize the flow of traffic plying within the City. It was said that provisions of pedestrians walk ways, footpaths, cycle tracks, multilevel parking lots and green corridors have already been incorporated in the draft proposal.