Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam today held a joint meeting with the Mayor of Srinagar, Junaid Mattu where officers of the Divisional Administration, District Administration and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation were present.
They extensively reviewed various ongoing and future projects related to mobility, solid waste management and beautification of the Srinagar city. They called for out-of-box ideas for holistic development on the State’s summer capital which has been plagued by host of issues.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Syed Abid Rasheed, Commissioner SMC, Peerzada Hafizullah, SSP Srinagar and SSP Traffic and officers from Srinagar Development Authority also attended the meeting.
Mattu briefed the Chief Secretary about a host of projects proposed by the Mayor’s office for beautification of Srinagar city including a number of proposals for solid waste management. He said a plan is under consideration to make compost out of solid waste.
On the project document prepared by the Urban Development Department on Solid Waste Management, Chief Secretary directed the concerned to improve it further before being implemented.
On the issue of dog menace, the Mayor briefed the Chief Secretary that while the dog-bite cases are under control, the Corporation is also exploring the option of building a facility on the outskirts of Srinagar for dogs. Chief Secretary directed the SDA to expedite the process for land acquisition.
Regarding rehabilitation of street vendors who frequently encroach the city roads, the Mayor said the issue has to be dealt in a humane way taking into consideration their livelihood. He directed SMC Commissioner to freeze the list of hawkers in Srinagar city who need to be rehabilitated and submit it to the Government for further appropriate action.
Expressing concern over the delay in demarcation of commercial and residential space in Srinagar, Chief Secretary called for better coordination between civil, police administration and the SMC in order to ensure strict compliance of the municipal laws. SMC Commissioner was asked to freeze the list of hawkers in Srinagar city who need to be rehabilitated.
Chief Secretary took note of the absence of uniform signage or colour on the public transport running in Srinagar city, “All buses and other passenger vehicles should be colour-coded and must have common signage. A night bus service from six to twelve should be started in Srinagar to improve public mobility during night hours,” he said.
Chief Secretary directed the DC to verify the number of route permits issued in Srinagar and send a copy to his office. He said the Government will float tenders for building 100 eco-friendly bus bays across Srinagar city. He also directed the traffic police to ensure strict compliance of municipal laws so that public transport stops at designated places which, he said, often causes traffic snarls. The SMC would move for around 100 bus stops in the city.
“Srinagar is a city of bridges and the Corporation must prepare a detailed plan for installing decorative lighting and seating on these bridges to make them social spaces where friends and families can come and interact with each other. Srinagar should be full of lights,” he said.
Chief Secretary asked Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to explore various options, in consultation with the experts, on how to moderate traffic movement on Abdullah Bridge including construction of another bridge in the vicinity.
He directed the traffic department to undertake a survey for a comprehensive traffic light system in Srinagar city.
He said although the capital has shifted to Jammu for the next six months, residents of Srinagar will not be allowed to suffer and the senior government functionaries will be regularly visiting Kashmir to take stock of the issues facing the people.
Chief Secretary listed out various other measures to be taken by Srinagar Municipal Corporation that will change the way of life in Srinagar city and asked the SMC to project the financial requirement in the next year’s budget.
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