Sinha inaugurates historic Ghanta Ghar project among others
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the biggest change in Kashmir for the last four years is that love and peace has replaced the stones and street violence.
Addressing a gathering at historic Lal Chowk this evening, after dedicating the three major projects of smart city—Redevelopment of Residency Road, Redevelopment of Srinagar Square and Redevelopment of Clock Tower, to people of Kashmir, the LG said that Srinagar was being discussed some four years ago not for development but for street violence and strikes.
The LG said that due to personal benefits, development in J&K remained choked. “These people were assigned the charge of enforcing hartals, bandhs due to which people suffered a lot. The benefits reached to conflict profiteers only while common citizens were left to lurch. Poor was made the poorest and some rich became the richest,” he said.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, the underprivileged were more affected. The poor became poorer, and the disparities widened. I understand that when a person is hurt, the administration can offer a cure, but the first effort should be to ensure love, brotherhood, and unity in society. Unity can be established when we move forward together, holding each other’s hands,” he said.
“A tool was weaponized against the common man and development by spreading confusion and regularly disrupting normal life. The common people were affected by these dangerous trends. I want to say with responsibility that they did not allow these facilities to reach the common people, which reached those in other states much earlier,” he said.
Sinha said that today these people are seeing the crumbling shadow of terror across the border. “They are witnessing the fall of the terror-eco system and separatism. They are watching the dreams of common citizens of J&K getting fulfilled,” he added.
The LG said that with peace gradually becoming a permanent feature in J&K, from Vitasta to Ganga, Shahr-e-Khas to Banaras and from Lal Chowk to Lal Qila, there is just one heart beat and one thinking.
“The same blood flows through our veins, and the echoes of Bharat Mata Ki Jai reverberate in unison,” he said.
He said that all hurdles in the peace and development are being removed and very soon peace will become a permanent feature in J&K.
“If we open the heart of Kashmiris, we’ll see the same tri-colour as in Kanyakumari. We will hear the same melodies of our national songs from the land of Sheikhul Alam, Habba Khatun, Lal Ded, and Shankaracharya, playing along the banks of the Narmada River. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—all are the sons and daughters of Bharat Mata, and our unity, filled with love, is respected worldwide,” the LG said.
“I want to appreciate the various sections of the people of Srinagar who understood the need for change and supported the Municipal Commissioner, Mayor, and their team in making the city beautiful. I acknowledge that there might have been difficulties, and I congratulate you for walking together with the Jammu and Kashmir team,” the LG said.
The LG said that Srinagar is setting a new example of urban transformation, a gift to the country. He said the residents of Srinagar should be proud of this achievement.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC and Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary also spoke on the occasion. Feroz Ahmad Baba, President Lal Chowk Traders Association expressing his views said he has seen such development for the first time.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also inaugurated a variable messaging display at Srinagar Square.
Residency Road and Srinagar Square Lal Chowk Redevelopment projects include wire-free streets and public space with underground electric and communication utilities, wide pedestrian walkways, improved Storm Drainage, dedicated Sewer network, Multi-utility corridors, seating and parking spaces, illumination of streets, public facilities and a barrier-free environment providing universal access to all.
R K Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; senior officers of Civil and Police administration, officials of Srinagar Smart City Limited, members of Lal Chowk Traders Association and PHD Chamber of Commerce and people in large number were present.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
