Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, July 16: The Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, today inspected the renovation work of Poonch Fort being executed by Poonch Development Authority under Centrally sponsored, Product Infrastructure Development for Destination Circuit Scheme (PIDDC).
He was accompanied by District Development Commissione Poonch, Sajad Ahmed Khan, and other officers of District Administration. The Chief Executive Officer, Poonch Development Authority, Ashok Kumar Bhagat, apprised him about the historical background of Poonch Fort and also about the details of renovation work being executed under Phase-I.
The project has been sanctioned in the year 2011-12 for an approved cost of Rs 379.14 lakh out of which an amount of Rs 75.83 lakh, has been placed at the disposal of the Poonch Development Authority for its utilization. He also apprised that a work done claim of about more than Rs two crore has already been created, which needs to be cleared immediately so that the pace of work is not interrupted.
Divisional Commissioner appreciated the work done by the Poonch Development Authority and assured that he would take up the matter with higher authorities for further release of funds as soon as possible. He also remarked that Poonch Fort & Bagh Deodi will be major attraction for the tourists in future and the tourist visiting Shri Buddha Amarnath from outside the state during Yatra would also like to visit historical monuments in Poonch to know more about the historical background of Poonch.
Meanwhile, Mr Shantmanu, chaired a meeting of district level officers to review arrangements for smooth conduct of ten day long Shri Buddha Amarnath Yatra commencing from August 1.
Shantamanu took stock of arrangements with regard to adequate availability of essentials including rice, atta, sugar and LPG cylinders besides medicare facilities, uninterrupted power supply and clean drinking water facilities.
Reviewing the preparations, he asked the administration to make elaborate arrangements for reception of the pilgrims besides taking care of security, accommodation, sanitation and traffic regulation for smooth movement of the yatra.
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