Naveed Ul Haq
Budgam, 28 Dec (KNO): Although the coronavirus pandemic impacted the developmental work in Jammu and Kashmir, many important projects were executed in Budgam district this year.
Amid restrictions and lockdown, the administration in Budgam left no stone unturned to execute the developmental work in the district.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a three-week nationwide “complete lockdown” from midnight 24 March, Budgam district also followed the instructions and imposed the restrictions in its towns, resulting in the stoppage of all developmental works in the district.
However, on June 5, the government ordered its employees to attend offices on a regular basis. High-risk groups were advised to take extra precautions in public dealings.
According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer KNO, soon after the resumption of duties, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, convened a meeting to take stock of developmental work in the district.
Immediately, 109 kms were earmarked to be macadamized. Officials told KNO that annual repairing of all main roads has commenced across the district under different sectors.
“The work covering road sections between Bemina to Budgam, Humhama to Budgam, Budgam to Ichgam is in full swing. In Chadoora division improvement work is underway between Chadoora to Surasyar, Chadoora to Ranger and on other link roads,” officials said.
On September 4 during the visit to Chrar-e-Sharif town Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha while taking note of the delay in construction of Khanqah, directed the Chief Secretary to initiate an enquiry and ascertain the facts regarding the delay. Directions were also issued for a safety audit of the Khanqah complex by an IIT Roorkee expert team.
On the same day the projects dedicated to the public including PHC, Siobugh, Budgam at the cost of Rs 11.90 crore under PMDP; NTPHC at Parisabad and Lalpora at the cost of Rs 3.55 crore, 1×18 mtr Span Steel Girder Bridge at Sebdan at the cost of Rs 2.06 crore, 2×20 Mtr. Span Steel Girder Bridge at Khag with a cost of Rs 3.64 crore.
Similarly, up-gradation of roads under PMGSY which include Shanipora Khansahib road (Rs 7.24 crore), Budgam-Hayatpora road (Rs 7.91 crore), Aripanthan-Malpora road (Rs 7.72 crore), Khoipora-Khag road (Rs 2.77 crore), Yechgam- Arampora road (Rs 1.79 crore) and Khag-Abandara road (Rs 2.06 crore) were also sanctioned. Evacuation of power 33KV level for 132/33KV Grid Station Budgam (Rs 4.3 crore) were also dedicated.
The projects whose e-foundation stone was laid by the Lt Governor include 100 bedded Girls’ Hostel at Khansahib, Narbal and at BK Pora (Rs 3.06 crore each) under Samagra Shiksha; PHC, Nasrullahpora, Budgam (Rs 3.99 crore) under State Sector; Play Field at Sikhnambal, Rangreth (Rs 5.71 crore), Fruit & Vegetable Market, Kremshore (Rs 612 crore) and 10 MVA receiving station at Rangar, Chadoora (Rs 2.87 crore) under PMDP Urban.
Recently on a visit to Budgam the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole took the stock of progress made in the construction work of academic cum administrative block, auditorium incubation, canteen, boys and girls hostels, guest house, site development and other construction works of NIFT Srinagar presently under construction at SIDCO Ompora.
The Div Com was apprised that 55 per cent of work has been already completed under first -3 packages so far. He instructed the concerned to expedite the work process and submit month-wise progress to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time frame.
The Div Com also visited the multipurpose indoor sports Stadium Budgam and 50 MVA grid sub-station Chadoora.
He directed concerned authorities to ensure both interior and exterior work on Indoor Stadium is completed by March- ending or action shall be taken against the work executing agency. Instructions for submitting DPR for the development of Sports Stadium Budgam were also issued on the occasion.
The Div Com said that the Government of India (GoI) has launched 100 iconic projects in J&K UT out of which 5-6 are also coming up in Budgam.
According to a preface given by Iftikhar A Hakim, Chief Town Planner, Town Planning Organisation Kashmir, authorities have come up with the draft master plan Doodhpathri-2032, which is being submitted to the Tourism Development Authority Doodhpathri for its publication under the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Development Act, 1970. The master plan is being published for seeking observations and suggestions from all stakeholders including line departments.
The master plan integrates the sub-region from Dodhpathri to Yusmarg and the bigger region from Dodhpathri to Tosamaidan.
The proposals envisaged in the draft master plan include the infrastructure requirements at local, sub-regional and regional levels from residential as well as tourism perspective employing the planning and ecosystem tools.
The master plan is being envisaged as a platform for the preparation of DPRs on infrastructure development, conservation of natural and cultural resources, promotion of ecotourism in the region as well as acting as a poverty reduction strategy (PRS) for the local population—(KNO)
