*Inaugurates two bridges, reviews Jhelum dredging
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 19: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today conducted a whirlwind tour of Srinagar city during which she inaugurated several public utilities and also laid the foundation of many developmental projects.
Enroute, the Chief Minister met several deputations who apprised her of their day to day problems and sought their redressal.
Minister for R&B, Naeem Akhtar; Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari and Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development, Asiea Naqash accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour.
The Chief Minister inaugurated two steel decked bridges at Skiul Doub and Chandpora in Harwan area. She also visited the Harwan dam and took a briefing on the beautification project under execution there.
She was informed that the Rs. 9 crore project envisages augmenting the water supply at the dam, construction of a cycle track and hutments to boost tourism in the area.
MLA, Sonwar, Muhammad Ashraf Mir was also present on the occasion.
On way, the Chief Minister visited the Imambarah at Bagh i Zainab at Shalimar and took stock of the works going on there.
At Zakura, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of Mini Maternity Centre with a bed capacity of 75, including 24 beds for neonats. To be built at a cost of Rs. 12.83 crore, the project is expected to be completed by the end of next year giving the people of the area much needed relief.
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat and MLA, Ganderbal, Ishfaq Jabbar were present on the occasion.
Mehbooba Mufti also visited the JLNM Hospital, Rainawari where she laid the foundation of an additional block which would add 100 more beds to the hospital capacity. To be built at a cost of Rs. 19.29 crore, the additional block is expected to be ready by December 2018.
Later, Mehbooba Mufti visited Baba Demb where she inspected the progress on Brari Nambal Revival project under execution at a cost of Rs. 16.91 crore.
The Chief Minister was informed that after the desilting, flow has been generated in the waters which would restore the acquatic life in the water body, thereby making it a tourist attraction.
On the occasion, a deputation of local residents also met the Chief Minister and demanded continuation of conservation works without a break. She asked the Minister for Education to monitor the pace of the project and report back to her.
Mehbooba Mufti also visited Shariefabad where she laid the foundation of 180 metre span bridge over flood spill channel. To be constructed by Irrigation & Flood Control Department, the Rs. 20 crore bridge would be completed next year.
The Chief Minister also reviewed on spot the progress on the Jhelum dredging on Padshahi Bagh-Wullar section of river Jhelum. She was informed that substantial amount of work has been executed on the Rs. 400 crore project by various agencies, which includes land acquisitions, cutting down of trees in flood basins etc. and it is expected to be completed by early next year.
At Bemina, Mehbooba Mufti took a briefing on widening of road from Tatoo Ground to Bemina Bye Pass. She also reviewed the rehabilitation of dwellers of Jhelum, Dal and other spots at Rakh i Gund Aksha. She directed raising of vertical accommodation for members of weaker sections there.
Later, Mehbooba Mufti visited the Rambagh flyover and reviewed the progress of the project on spot. She directed the project authorities to complete the project by September this year for which she asked them to redouble their efforts.
Commissioner-Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner-Secretary, Housing & Urban Development, Hirdesh Kumar; Commissioner-Secretary, R&B, Sanjeev Verma; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan; Secretary, PHE, I&FC, Saurabh Bhagat; Chief Engineers of PHE, R&B, PDD, heads of several Departments; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone; Commissioner, SMC, Dr. Shafqat and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour.
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