Roll out dev plans for Baramulla, Sopore in tune with their historical importance, future challenges: Mehbooba

CM reviews developmental projects of Baramulla, Sopore towns

Directs immediate start of work on Bla-Baba Reshi road, expediting town decongestion project, asks Div Com for identifying spot for raising parking slot, prioritising mega Water Supply schemes for two towns for funding

Rs 2 crore earmarked for Bla Football Academy, land identified for Sopore Mini Secretariat, being identified for Bus Stand, Nursing Colleges in the two towns being set, PHC Sheeri being upgraded

SRINAGAR, JUNE 01: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the pace of various developmental projects in the Baramulla and Sopore towns in a meeting of officers here today.

MLA, Baramulla, Javed Hassan Beigh was present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister impressed upon the policy planners to roll out a developmental roadmap for the twin towns keeping in view their historical importance and the future challenges of development. She asked the executing agencies to attach priority to projects of urban infrastructure and complete such projects expeditiously.

In a significantly important direction, Mehbooba Mufti directed immediate start of work on the 32-kilometre-long Baramulla-Baba Reshi road which connects Baramulla with the world-famous resort of Gulmarg. She also directed taking up road projects like Shumlaran and Kawahara to enhance intra and district connectivity in the area. She also directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to identify a spot for creating a parking slot in the main market.

The Chief Minister also directed prioritising the funding for the augmented five MGD water supply scheme for Baramulla town costing Rs. 126 crore for which she directed the concerned to pursue the matter seriously with the concerned agencies.  

Mehbooba Mufti enquired about the pace of work on the prestigious decongestion of old town project and directed the district administration to pace up the removal of the structures coming in the way of expansions. She was informed that 131 residential and 105 commercial structures have been notified to be removed under the project which would cost Rs. 83 crore.

The Chief Minister was also informed that work on developing Football Academy at Ushkura would start soon and Rs. Two crore have been earmarked for the purpose by the JKSPDC. Also the process for establishment of a fire station at Narwaw is in the process, the meeting was informed.

Mehbooba Mufti was informed that funds for establishment of a Nursing College at Baramulla have been released and the land has also been handed over for constructing the building. Also the process of upgradation of PHC, Sheeri has been set in place while as feasibility is being explored of establishing a new type PHC at Dangerpora for which she asked to pace up the process.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the pace of various developmental projects in the Sopore town. She was informed that the transfer of 43 kanals of land for setting up Mini Secretariat is in process while as land is being identified for developing a modern bus terminal in the town.

Mehbooba Mufti also directed prioritising funding for the Rs. 153 crore Jhelum water Supply scheme for the Sopore town. She was informed that work on Tulbul navigation project is in full swing and would be completed by August this year.

Also the Chief Minister was informed that the establishment of Sopore Nursing College is apace besides a maternity hospital for which requisite staff is being made available. Besides, work on the Rs. 9.77 crore Maharaj Pora bridge is on for which the Chief Minister directed expediting the completion.  

Principal Secretaries, R K Goyal, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and Rohit Kansal; Commissioner-Secretary, Revenue, Shahid Anayatullah; Secretary, Public Works, Sanjeev Verma; Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, M. Raju; Managing Director, JKSPDC, Dr. Shah Faesal; Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. Nasir Naqash and other senior officers were present in the meeting.