Details

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 06 June 2017

• Focus to be on quality upgradation of roads: Naeem Akhtar

SRINAGAR: Minister for Public Works and Government spokesperson Naeem Akhtar today said that a major tourist spot will be developed in Sirhama Anantnag that will become a latest place for attraction for locals and tourists alike. The Minister was speaking to officers and people during an extensive tour to Anantnag district. He reviewed the status of various projects under completion in the district.

 

The Minister said that the road from Sangam to Sirhama will be an alternate road to Pahalgam via Langanbal. He said that the Rs 46 crore road will also open up interior beautiful places to the outside world. The Minister directed the officials to hire a competent consultant for developing a major park along the Dadi canal in Sirhama. He said that the area surrounded by mountains and a canal presents a scenic location and it has high potential to become a major tourist spot.

The Minister also took stock of work going on the major road projects. He said that the macadamisation of roads is being undertaken at a massive scale in the district. He said that from this year major focus will be on the quality of materials used in the macadamisation process. The Minister also visited several macadam plants and was informed that officials of R&B are deputed to the plants to ensure that material is used of highest quality and the resultant mixture is durable enough. He said that the aim of the government is to provide macadamisation of roads of such a quality that it will remain in good condition for years’ altogether.

The Minister also visited the under construction Medical College building at Dialgam. The Minister was informed that the college to be built at a cost of Rs 189 crore will be completed by the end of next year. The Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of work on the prestigious project. At the construction site of Government Polytechnic College Larkipora, the Minister directed the officials to undertake simultaneous landscaping of the college campus. The Minister said that the college will be completed in August this year.

The Minister also chaired a high level meeting to review the arrangements for the conduct of annual Amarnath Yatra. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Chief Engineer R&B, officials from police, security and civil administration.  The Minister directed the officials to complete all works before 20th of June so that Yatra will start in a smooth manner. The officers gave a detailed presentation on works completed and those under progress along the Yatra route. The meeting was informed that the Yatra road from Pahalgam side has been made fit for walking.

The officials said that due to high snowfall this year 6 km of yatra route is still snow bound and yatris will have trek over snow to reach the cave. The Minister said that Yatra is a major part of culture of Kashmir and people have been helping to conduct it for years. He directed the officials to involve more locals in the yatra arrangements and conduct. He said that with the start of yatra the availability of basic amenities in the district should get an upgradation that is beneficial for yatries and locals alike. He also reviewed the arrangements made at various yatri camps. He directed the officials to ensure all steps are taken for providing the hygienic conditions at the camps.