CM reviews big-ticket projects, stresses on time line completion

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 11: Highlighting the significance of big-ticket projects under implementation in the State in various sectors of development, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today directed the executing agencies to stick to time bound completion of these projects ensuring benefits to people.
Taking review of these projects at a high level meeting, the Chief Minister said that the progress of work on hospitals, bridges, flyovers, water supply projects, drainage and sewerage schemes besides Asian Development Bank funded schemes need regular monitoring so that their completion is ensured as per schedule.
In a Power Point presentation made by various Administrative Secretaries the Chief Minister was briefed about the status of various projects which included 200-bedded L.D Hospital additional block under execution by JKPCC at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crore, 200-bedded Maternity Hospital, Bemina costing Rs. 50 crore, construction of two Sarais at SKIMS Soura at a cost of Rs. 11.35 crore, Tourist City Centre Srinagar involving Rs. 9.96 crore, renovation of Tagore Hall costing Rs. 12.46 crore, construction of Tehzeeb Mahal involving Rs. 88.36 crore and construction of Rs. 66.64 crore SPS Museum.
Omar Abdullah also obtained status of Two-Lane Griddle Bridge at Malru under construction at a cost of Rs. 15.13 crore, Zero Bridge Srinagar costing Rs. 11.30 crore, Two-Lane Griddle Bridge at Palpora involving Rs. 6.83 crore, Two-Lane Bridge at Vethpora-Soiteng under construction at a cost of Rs. 13.59 crore, widening and upgrading of Qamarwari-Parimpora road involving Rs. 13.79 crore, construction of 4-Lane Boulevard road, construction of Rs. 27.21 crore Sanatghar at Bemina, Water Supply Scheme Tangnar involving Rs. 148.37 crore and Water Supply Scheme Sukhnag costing Rs. 121 crore.
The Chief Minister got appraisal of the status of Rs. 351 crore Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh-Natipora flyover and received brief about the rehabilitation programme put in place by ERA for rehabilitation of the shopkeepers and others being affected by this flyover. He also got status report of Srinagar Drainage Project costing Rs. 350 crore and Srinagar Sewerage Project costing Rs. 110 crore.
Omar Abdullah was presented details of construction of Peer-i-Dastgeer (RA) Mosque at a cost of Rs. 6.89 crore, restoration of Peer-i-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine at Khanyar involving Rs. 5.50 crore, extension and renovation of Ziarat Sharief Khawaja Naqashband Shahib and land filling project for Idgah.
The Chief Minister also took stock of the project aimed at handicraft cluster development in Sheher-i-Khas (old Srinagar) and welfare of the artisans associated with different crafts. The meeting was informed that about 17,500 artisans associated with Kani-Shawl and Pashmina weaving, Copper-wear manufacture, Sozini embroidery, Crewel embroidery, Papier Machie, Khatam Band, Leather works, Willow works and Walnut Wood Carving.
Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Horticulture and Housing, Raman Bhalla, Minister for  Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmad Gurazi, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, various Administrative Secretaries, Heads of the Departments and senior officers were present in the meeting.