KO photo by Abid Bhat
Div Com Kashmir Reprimands Officers For Delay In Executing, Finishing Works
Srinagar- With just over a fortnight left for the prestigious G20 Summit in Kashmir Valley, the Union Territory administration has pushed more men and machinery to accelerate construction and renovation work in this capital city and elsewhere.
An official from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) told Kashmir Observer that over 70 percent of the work has been completed and the authorities have pressed more men and machinery to meet the deadlines for the rest of the projects.
“The workers are on job even during the night hours to complete the pending projects,” the official said.
SMC, he said, has to meet a lot of challenges, including weather to ensure that the projects are completed well within the time before the arrival of delegates in this capital city.
He said the work on the Polo View project and residency road footpaths is nearing completion.
“We are right now blacktopping the roads and if weather permits, we will macadamize all the roads in the city in coming weeks,” the official added.
The official, however, was apprehensive over the compilation of the clock tower project in the city center Lal Chowk.
There are over 137 total projects taken by the SMC under the Smart city project out of which 66 have been completed while work on 71 projects is currently underway.
Notably, Commissioner SMC, Athar Amir Khan who also heads Srinagar Smart City Project as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) had set April 15 as deadline for the completion of the project, however it was missed.
Over 200 meetings are expected to be held across the country after India assumed the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. This will be the first international event in the Valley post abrogation of Article 370.
The summer capital is also going to host one of the G20 events between May 22 and 24 for which the administration is making advance arrangements by repairing major roads, drainage systems and beautification of the city.
The meeting will be hosted at Kashmir International Conference Centre (KICC), located at the banks of Dal Lake.
Earlier, the SMC had invited tenders for face lifting and renovation of existing bunkers/pickets in Srinagar city.
An official from the Divisional commissioner’s office said that preparation related to the upcoming meeting were in its final stage and various arrangements related to multi-tier security and traffic diversions are also being worked out.
The official further said the foreign delegates will also be taken on a sightseeing tour to Baramulla, Dachigam National Park in Srinagar, and also to the ski resort of Gulmarg.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Monday emphasized on greater coordination and synergy among line departments for timely completion of developmental activities in City and enroute to different destinations.
Chairing a high level meeting here to review to review G20 Summit preparations in Kashmir Bidhuri directed for activation of the Control Room within two days to ensure all the facilities are in place in view of the G20 Summit.
He directed representatives of communication service providers to strengthen the network at the specified places by increasing the number of COW sites.
Div Com also directed Managers of Taj & Lalit hotels to renovate, colour coat interior & premises and enhance aesthetics of establishments. He also instructed them to make arrangements at the venues of SKICC and Golf Course regarding hospitality services.
While reviewing the redevelopment process of roads, Bidhuri directed CEs of R&B and SSCL to blacktop all the roads included in the beautification plan of the City.
Besides, he issued instructions to concerned people for grass cutting along roads, routes, footpaths, closing manholes with lids, colour iron grills, making water fountains functional, smooth operation of streets lights, removing of debris & construction material from roads, installation of hoardings and flexes.
Moreover, he directed Director Tourism for identification of well furnished and decorated Shikaras for the ride of visiting delegates during the Summit.
Similarly, RTO Kashmir was directed to identify and earmark twenty Tempo Travelers for dignitaries besides ensure that drivers wearing uniform pattern of attire.
He also directed strict action against Project Management of NBCC for not completing the work of reconstruction of the portion of Ali Jan road where the said agency has carried out developmental work.
“Bhiduri also reprimanded concerned officers for delay in executing and finishing works undertaken for the G20 Summit,” an official spokesperson said.
While the G20 member countries comprise Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union, India’s special invitee guest countries this time include Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
Comments are closed.