Chief Secretary tours Srinagar; assesses progress of Smart City works

Srinagar, May 4: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Saturday conducted a whirlwind tour of Srinagar city to take on a spot appraisal of progress on execution of several smart city works being executed there.

Dulloo visited several locations in the civil lines area of the city including Boulevard Road and precincts of Mughal Gardens currently being upgraded by the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL). He reviewed the proportion of works completed, so far, besides taking stock of remaining works to be completed within the set timeframe.

The chief secretary said that these works, being done in the busiest parts of the city, need to be completed in the least possible timeframe.

He emphasised close monitoring of these works by the senior functionaries of SSCL to ensure the quality and timely completion of these vital projects.

Dulloo asked about the utility of each of these ongoing works and their impact on the tourism and social aspects of the city.

The prominent projects that he visited included the development of a pedestrian walkway and cycle track along Nishat Sathu, Dal lakefront development along the Northern Foreshore Road, improvement and upgradation of Shalimar canal, improvement and upgradation of Nishat Bagh precinct, upgradation of Jehangir Chowk junction, and construction of Balidan Stambh at Pratap Park.

At Nishat Sathu, CEO SSCL Owais Ahmad informed the chief secretary that work was on a 2-km long pedestrian walkway and cycling corridor having plazas with gazebos and seating steps towards the lake waters beside a cycle docking station and utility rationalisation in the area with improvement in the drainage system.

While visiting the Dal lakefront along the Northern Foreshore Road, Dulloo was apprised that the project features 5.10 km long dedicated two-way cycle track having wide pedestrian walkway, tactile flooring for specially-abled, kerb ramps for universal access, seating spaces and bollards, high-quality illumination besides other unique amenities for the visitors likely to be completed in May 2024.

At Shalimar Canal, the chief secretary was informed that nearly 70 percent work had been completed and the project was slated to be handed over in June.

It was informed that the project work constitutes an improvement of Shalimar Bagh frontage, visitor amenities, improvement of canal edges, seating and planters along the canal, wooden arch bridges for pedestrians, cafeterias and restaurants near the Foreshore Road, and a new visitor zone with viewing tower at Dal Lake besides other facilities.

The chief secretary also visited the Nishat Bagh precinct and was informed that work on it was 70 percent complete and likely to be handed over for public use by June.

At the Jehangir Chowk Junction improvement site, it was informed that 60 percent of work had been completed on the project till now and it was set to be completed within the deadline of June.

The chief secretary, during his visit to Balidan Stambh being constructed inside Pratap Park, Lal Chowk, was apprised that 60 percent of work had been completed on the project with most of the underground electrification works already taken up by the executing agency.

He was informed that the project included the creation of candle sculptures as a symbol of peace and remembrance, monumental scale cental stambh and a plaque flanked with LED screens on both sides to display the names of the martyrs.

The project is likely to be completed by June with the raising of amphitheatre steps, park development and place-making besides the creation of utilities like electrical lighting and horticulture works for beautification in addition to other envisaged works.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Chief Executive Officer Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, SSP Srinagar, SP City Traffic, VC LCMA, MD KPDCL, besides other concerned officers from civil and Police administration accompanied the chief secretary.