Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Khan, today conducted an extensive visit of Budgam district to take stock of tourism activities, electricity scenario and ongoing rural development works around tourist destinations in the district.Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, Director Tourism Kashmir, Director Rural Development Kashmir, Director Floriculture Kashmir, Chief Engineer KPDCL, ADC, ACD, SDM besides other concerned officers and officials.Advisor Khan reviewed the Covid control measures being implemented in the district. He exhorted upon the district administration to remain vigilant and strictly enforce all mandated SOPs to avert looming threat of 3rd wave of Covid-19. He asked them to ensure that all Covid preventive protocols are followed during the forthcoming Independence celebration. He also urged upon PRI members to educate the people about the importance and need of following Do's and Don’ts related to COVID-19.Meanwhile, Advisor Khan reviewed the functioning of Yousmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan Development Authorities.Advisor instructed the officers to frame need based development plans for renovation and upgradation of facilities in their respective areas to give further boost to tourism sector. He said that these areas are important tourist destinations which should have robust telecom and internet connectivity. He asked the officers to identify the facilities already available in these areas that could be outsourced and come up with a plan in this regard.ADC and Chief Executive officer Yousmarg, Doodhpathri and Tossamaidan Development Authorities, Dr. Nasir Lone gave a detailed overview through Power Point presentation about the functioning and issues pertaining to these tourist destinations.
Advisor gave on spot directions to have long-term and short-term plans in place.Advisor emphasized that the existing infrastructure needs further maintenance and up-gradation to attract more footfall of tourists. He, however, underlined the need of according paramount importance to preservation of ecology and environment along with development. He said that Master plan should be framed for all three tourist destinations of Budgam after a deep study and survey.Advisor said that he will be taking a detailed review of Doodhpathri and Tossamaidan tourist spots in next fifteen days. “Yousmarg and Doodhpathri has vast potential to promote water and winter sports and in this direction necessary steps shall be initiated at an earliest”, Advisor said. He reiterated that old trekking routes in the district shall be revived and proper plan shall be put in place for exploration of such routes.Earlier, Advisor Khan inspected power grid station at Nowbugh, Chadoora and receiving station at Char Sharief which will augment the electricity supply in the district.Advisor also reviewed the PMDP and languishing projects under PDD and directed the officers to ensure adequate electricity supply in view of the approaching winter. He issued on spot directions to replace damaged poles, wires and conductors wherever required immediately besides ensuring branch cutting of trees on the electricity corridors.Advisor Khan, while inspecting completed Rural Development works, directed the officers to accord priority to timely payment of wages to workers engaged in rural development activities.Advisor also met PRI members and scores of delegations from Yousmarg and adjacent areas who put forth their issues seeking an early redressal to the same.The demands and grievances included installation of mobile connectivity towers at Yousmarg, Tossamaidan and Doodpathri, facilities for garbage and wastage disposal, improvement of public utilities at the tourist destinations, exploration of new tourist destinations, road connectivity from Nilnag to Doodhpathri, deployment of mini snow cutter at Yousmarg and construction work on Arzan Garzan Dam.Advisor assured all the participants that all their demands and problems shall be looked into for speedy redressal.