Srinagar 9 july : The Minister for R&B, Gardens Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Syed is keen to develop Srinagar city as a modern city, adding that initiatives taken by the Government will definitely turn this dream into reality soon.
The Minister was interacting with people during his extensive visit to Srinagar to review the arrangements for upcoming auspicious days of Shab-e-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida and Eid-ul-Fitr. He also reviewed arrangements for observance of Martyrs’ Day on July 13.
The Minister released Rs 78 lakh for further development of Eidgah Park, the foundation of which was laid by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed. He also ordered immediate restoration of defunct public address at Eidgah.
He said construction of ring road is aimed to give better traffic facility to the people of the Srinagar city, adding that the macadamization programme started by the R&B department not only gives better roads but will also increase the beauty of Srinagar city, especially Shahr-e-khas.
During his extensive tour, the Minister visited Zindshah Masjid, Malkhah, Nowhatta, Tujgari-Mohalla, Shuhampora, Khwaja Bazaar, Naqashband Sahab, Khankahi Moula, Eidgah, Aali Masjid and Dargah Hazratbal.
At Malkah the Minister inaugurated cleanliness drive started by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. He asked Commissioner SMC to take up earth filling of graveyards besides installing proper lighting system there. The Minister also inspected ongoing macadamization in the area and asked Chief Engineer R&B, to take up Tujgari Mohalla-Naqashband sahib link road for macadamization before Eid besides going for patch work of all roads in the vicinity. He directed Chief Engineer to immediately remove the building material dumped for sale on road side at Tujgari Mohalla and Malkhah.
The Minister also paid obeisance at Dargah of Hazarat Kawaja Baha-ud-Din Naqashbandi (RA). He instructed concerned authorities to repair the outer flooring of the Shrine. He asked the SMC Commissioner to ensure complete sanitation in the area particularly the Martyrs Graveyard in view of forthcoming Martyrs Day being observed on July 13. SMC Commissioner was also directed to ensure removal of garbage/ litter in the vicinity ahead of Jumatul Vida, Shabi Qadar and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Responding to the demands of the locals regarding deploying of permanent Imam and Moazzin in the Mosque, the Minister said that the matter would be taken up with Waqf authorities at the earliest.
Syed Altaf Bukhari while visiting Khankahi Moula also paid obeisance there. He asked SMC Commissioner to carry out cleanliness drive in and around the Shrine in view of forthcoming Shabi Qadr, Jumatul Vida and Eid. He was informed that work on foot bridge near the shrine could not pick up as the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) have expressed certain observation on the execution of the project. He said that it is the commitment of the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed and directed MD JKPCC to expedite permission from ASI and execute the project as early as possible.
The Minister while visiting Eidgah Park, the foundation of which has been laid by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syeed, said that Park will be developed on modern lines. He released Rs. 78 lakh for further development of the park and asked Director Floriculture, Gardens and parks to make lighting system operational in the park without any further delay.
Responding to the demands of the local people, the Minister said that a monthly entry passes would be issued to the families living around the park. He said the park has been developed for the benefit of the people and asked them to play their role in its maintenance and development.
Regarding development of play ground in the vicinity, the Minister assured them that the matter would be taken up with Youth Services and Sports Minister for a speedy decision.
While inspecting historical Aali Masjid Eidgah, the management of Masjid raised certain issues, including construction of ablution facilities for females there. The Minister asked for painting of Mehrab and refurbishing of wooden stage installed in-front of it. He took up the matter with the Vice Chairman Waqf Board and asked him to restore the loud speakers at Eidgah before Eid festival, which are defunct for the past 25 years.
The Minister also asked MLC, Mohammad Khurshid Aalam, who was accompanying him, to release funds for construction of additional lavatories and ablution facilities there.
Syed Altaf also visited Dargah Hazratbal and took stock of the ongoing renovation work of shrine Tomb. He was informed that Rs. 3.60 crore stands expended on the project so far. The Minister asked SMC Commissioner to carry out cleanliness drive in and around the shrine besides installing mobile lavatories there. He asked Waqf authorities to make proper arrangements of lighting and loudspeakers , especially on Jamat-ul-Vida, Shabi Qadar and Eid-ul-Fitr.