Mufti reviews development, restoration works in Srinagar city

SRINAGAR:
In order to improve the aesthetics and ambience of the summer capital, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today called a high-level meeting of top officers to take a firsthand appraisal on the status of ongoing developmental and restoration projects in the City Centre and suburbs.
The Chief Minister issued immediate directions to the Power Development Department (PDD) to maintain streetlights in the city, especially focusing on Indira Gandhi, Residency, Maulana Azad, Gupkar, Boulevard and Athwajan Roads, as well as the Hazratbal, Dastageer Sahib and Khanqah-e-Moula Shrines in downtown Srinagar. He said the Government will provide adequate funds to the PDD to maintain the streetlights in the City Centre in future.
Taking a serious note of the illegal constructions being raised in the city, Mr Sayeed asked the Commissioner, SMC, to ensure that people get building permissions in a hassle-free and time-bound manner so that they don’t resort to illegal constructions.
The IGP, Kashmir, was directed to provide adequate manpower to SMC as well as LAWDA so that no illegal structures come up in the city. For smooth traffic movement within the city, the Chief Minister reviewed a detailed route plan jointly prepared by the Traffic Department, R&B, Town Planning Organization and the SDA.
He issued directions to the R&B Department to expedite the land acquisition and shifting of utilities for widening of Athwajan-Zewan road stretch on South Corridor for which funds have already been released by the Government.
The RTO, Kashmir, apprised the Chief Minister about the steps being taken by the department to streamline the issuance of licenses to the vehicles. (AGENCIES)