Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today rolled out an ambitious Rs 45 crore project for the integrated development of Hazratbal Dargah and its adjoining areas.The main components of the project include tensile structures for prayers during summers and rainy season, four-laning of the Dargah entrance, illumination of the shrine complex, underground ablution spots, dormitory for devotees of far flung areas, re-designing of the Dargah market, an Islamic Cultural Centre, an exclusive Sewerage Treatment Plant for the shrine complex etc.The project also envisages an unobstructed view of Dal Lake from the shrine complex. The project would be completed within two years.Interacting with people on the occasion, the Chief Minister said her Government has plans of developing tourism facilities in Srinagar city in a big way so that the city is promoted as a destination on its own, thereby contributing to the local economy.
She said the city has a rich preserve of shrines, mosques and places of heritage which need to be protected and facilities there upgraded.Mehbooba Mufti asked the project executing agencies to complete the works on the project within the stipulated time and involve locals in terms of work distribution and other components of the project.Earlier, Secretary, Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah briefed the Chief Minister about the salient features of the project. He said Rs 110 crore have been earmarked for various tourism development projects in the Srinagar city.Vice Chairman, J&K Waqf Board, Peer Muhammad Hussain; Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Asiea Naqash; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan; IGP Kashmir Zone, SJM Gillani; divisional heads of various Departments, executives of Waqf Board, Imams of various mosques and a large number of people were present on the occasion.