JJ CORRESPONDENT
Srinagar, Apr 8: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday laid the foundation stone for various Smart City projects in Srinagar.
The projects include construction of Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 31.22 crores, improvement and upgradation of Batamaloo-Qamarwari Road at the cost of Rs 14.61 crores and Batamaloo-Mominabad Road costing Rs 10.24 crores, besides Rs 25.46 crores worth Gole Market-Karan Nagar Road Redevelopment project.
The improvement and upgradation of Batamaloo-Qamarwari Road and Batamaloo-Mominabad Road will feature citizen-centric development works.
Further, the Gole Market-Karan Nagar Road Redevelopment project will include several features like Central public plaza for social activities, multi-utility zone, on-street parking bays.
Lieutenant Governor also flagged off 107 door-to-door segregated waste collection vehicles boosting the carrying capacity and enhancing the reach of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for better civic sanitation.
He also dedicated new fire-water tenders and other specialized fire fighting equipment for public use on the occasion.
The Lt Governor on this occasion said that the new projects, once completed will strengthen urban infrastructure, improve city services, public aesthetics, ease of living, and will provide a clean and sustainable environment for the citizens.
Srinagar smart city project has been structured with a clear focus on improved urban governance and unlocking of latent creativity and vitality of this historical city, observed the Lt Governor.
“We are taking effective steps to accelerate the mission for inclusive and sustainable growth in the cities”, the Lt Governor added.
The Lt Governor issued explicit directions to the concerned officials to ensure completion of projects within the stipulated timelines.
It was informed that the Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo will include a retail facility for handicrafts, dry fruits, spices and other special items of the Kashmir valley, besides dedicated plaza for cultural activities, exhibitions, separate organised vending zone and other related activities.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, B. Srinivas, Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir, Mohammad Aijaz, DC Srinagar, besides, Athar Aamir Khan, Commissioner, SMC and CEO Srinagar Smart City, and other senior officers were present on the occasion UNI
