| Srinagar our heart, totally focussed on its development: CM | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 22: Asserting that the historic city of Srinagar is our heart, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today, emphasized that his government will remain totally focussed on the development of the summer capital, which bore the maximum brunt of the unprecedented deluge of September 2014.
With a view to decongest the city downtown, he said the government will offer land as equity to develop new housing colonies and townships in PPP mode, especially for urban poor and those belonging to very low-income groups. "I feel the pain confronting people and understand hardship facing them on the housing front. We will overcome the acute shortage of affordable housing colonies in downtown city which is bursting at its seam," he stated.
The Chief Minister was addressing an impressive public gathering, after laying foundation stone of a new flyover (Grade Separator) near TRC Junction, here today.
Besides Member Parliament and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti, Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Minister for IT, YS&S and Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Aisea Naqash, Legislators, Noor Mohammad, Khurshid Alam and Anjum Fazili and senior PDP leaders, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Pir Mansoor and Muntazir Mohiuddin were also present on the occasion.
Spelling out his plan to develop Srinagar as a Smart City, the Chief Minister dwelt at length upon specific initiatives conceptualised for its major facelift. He said since Srinagar bore the brunt of devastating floods of 2014, adequate portion of funds out of the economic and relief package announced by the Centre have been earmarked for flood protection measures and restoration of infrastructure damaged in floods. "The administration has become proactive and is geared up to ameliorate the sufferings of people," he assured.
Drawing the attention of the people towards choking of roads due to ever-expanding vehicular traffic, Mufti Sayeed said once the ADB-funded flyover between Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh and the new Grade Separator at TRC Crossing are commissioned, it will substantially reduce the traffic woes faced by the commuters. He also referred to his extensive tour of downtown Srinagar today, during which he reviewed progress of various development projects in Tourism, R&B, Sports and other sectors.
Under the package announced by the Centre, a provision of Rs.500 crore has been kept for development of Smart Cities in the state.
On resumption of talks between New Delhi and Islamabad, Mufti Sayeed hailed the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan for their farsightedness and maturity in extending hand of friendship towards each other. He said the voices of people of J&K have been heard and hoped that the two countries will now engage in a comprehensive and sustained dialogue to reduce trust deficit which will pave way for more people-to-people contact, confidence building measures and broadening of the scope of trade across the Line of Control as well the International Border.
On the implementation of NFSA (National Food Security Act) in the state, the Chief Minister said the government took a big decision to provide ration to people on subsidised price as per Census 2011. "However, we welcome suggestions and ensure that all stakeholders will be taken on board (on NFSA)," he added. |
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