GCC team visits Downtown areas

Srinagar, Aug 10: A team from the Group of Concerned Citizens ( GCC) today undertook a visit of parts of Srinagar city to ascertain problems faced by people due to lack of basic amenities.

The team took stock on traffic bottlenecks on various city roads, Smart City project works, solid waste dumping site at Achan and condition of various water bodies in the city.

The team comprised retired IAS officers Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Naseem Lankar, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Mohammad Rafi, retired Principal District and Sessions Judge Khaliq uz Zaman Bhat, former VC IUST Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Siddiqi and a senior citizen Krishan Lal Ji of Lal Chowk.

The team visited Karan Nagar, Safa kadal, Cement Bridge, Dr Ali Jan Road, Achan municipal waste dumping site, link road between SKIMS chowk and 90 ft road, Nalbal bridge, Bagh Ali Mardan khan, Lal  Bazar, STP at Hazratbal,  Nigeen, Saida Kadal, Rainawari, Khanyar Chowk, Baba Demb (Brari Nambal), Nowpora Bridge and Nowpora- Khyber Hospital Chowk.

The team took note of traffic bottlenecks on roads at all these locations and decided to make recommendations to the concerned authorities in the UT Government.

The team also discussed with municipal officers at Achhan dumping site various options for treatment and disposal of solid waste and waste to energy project. It was decided to take up the matter with SMC Commissioner and Commissioner- Secretary Housing and Urban Development Deptt and other authorities in the UT Government.

The team also decided to take up the matter of operation of existing Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) and need for connecting the Houseboats to the STP at Hazratbal as per an earlier proposal. GCC also decided to recommend full restoration and revival of Babademb (Brarinambal) lake as a beautiful water body and a popular tourist spot in the heart of the city.

The GCC team led by Mohammed Shafi Pandit also decided to undertake a similar visit of the city located on the left bank of river Jhelum and the central business district ( CBD) on another day after August 15 and subsequently bring most important problems of the city to the notice of SMC and higher authorities in the UT Government. The team will also brief the SMC Commissioner on its recommendations for the Smart City project.