SRINAGAR Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Tuesday morning, paid obeisance at Aasar-e-Sharief Hazratbal and reviewed the arrangements being made in connection with Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
He visited the shrine premises and passed several instructions to upgrade the facilities at the most-revered shrine of Kashmir valley.
The Chief Minister also participated in the congregational dua and prayed for peace and prosperity of J&K state.
Besides Member Parliament and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti, Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Minister for IT, YS&S and Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Aiesa Naqash, MLC, Khurshid Alam, Chief Secretary, B. R. Sharma and the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, accompanied the Chief Minister.
Mufti Sayeed also carried out an extensive tour of downtown Srinagar which included localities on the periphery of the historic Jama Masjid at Nowhatta and the revered shrines of Khanqah-e-Muala, Hazrat Bilal Rumi (RA) and Tomb of Gani Kashmiri at Rajouri Kadal, Imam Bara at Zadibal, Eidgah, Sports Stadia at Rajouri Kadal and Rudpora, Sangarmal City Centre and Basant Bagh Ghat to make assessment of the extant status of ongoing works.
During his visit of Dargah Hazratbal, Mufti Sayeed gave instructions for obtaining professional services for conceptualising the work befitting the majesty and grandeur of the interiors of Hujre-Khaas(Sanctum Sanctorum), on the pattern of Khanqah-e-Maula. He also issued instructions for developing the lakefront on the backside of the Dargah so that it is made attractive for the visitors.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, briefed the Chief Minister about the proposed project regarding construction of a dormitory and washrooms (wuzu khanas) at a cost of Rs.1.60 crore. The proposed structure will have 42 wuzu khanas in the ground floor with separate facilities for women.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the facilities for the devotees who will throng Dargah Hazratbal in large numbers during the intervening night of December 23/24 on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad.
He was informed that all arrangements necessary, related to the availability of transport, uninterrupted power and drinking water supply, sanitation and medical facilities have been made.
Mufti Sayeed enjoined upon the Traffic Police Department to make fool-proof plan for devotees and also directed SMC Commissioner to ensure proper sanitation in and around the shrine premises. Chief Engineer, Electric Maintenance Kashmir, was tasked to install diesel generator sets to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
At Zadibal, the Chief Minister passed instructions for working out modalities for paying compensation to the families, whose house properties and structures have been acquired for facilitating the expansion of Imam Bara, which is being executed by R&B Department.
The Project has been conceived at a cost of Rs.11.97 crore, out of which Rs.9.49 crore have been earmarked for payment of compensation for acquired structures. The Chief Minister during his earlier visit to Zadibal had ordered expansion of the Imam Bara.
On his arrival at Eidgah, the Chief Minister was briefed about the development of the Park by the Floriculture Department at a cost of Rs.1.08 crore. He was told that the project will be completed by the end of March, next year.
Describing beautification of Chattabal Weir as revival of Kashmirs unique heritage, Mufti Sayeed directed the Chief Engineer I&FC, Kashmir, to develop the riverbanks which will improve the ambiance of the place. He also issued instructions for landscaping the parks maintained by I&FC running all along the river banks to make the these attractive for the visitors.
It was given out that the Tourism Department, through INTACH, J&K Chapter, has conceived a plan for creating a cultural centre with Khanqah-e-Maula as hub, envisaging setting up of a craft centre, traditional food courts and uniform façade of the surrounding heritage structures, which have already been mapped.
Upon his arrival at Rajouri Kadal, the Chief Minister first paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Bilal Rumi (RA) and later offered Fetaha at the adjoining tomb of famous poet, Ghani Kashmiri. He gave on-spot instructions for sprucing up the premises by developing a park and providing a proper drainage system.
As a follow-up to his instructions during earlier tour, the Chief Minister visited Ghani Stadium at Rajouri Kadal as well Rudpora Stadium. To make the two stadia centre for sports-related activities, he suggested inclusion of local representatives in the committees responsible for organizing the sporting itineraries.
At Rudpora, the Chief Minister also passed directions for construction of marriage hall on the available land adjacent to the Radpora Stadium.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation of two-storied Community Hall at otherwise hugely-congested locality in the periphery of the historic Jama Masjid, which shall be constructed at a cost of Rs.5.69 crore, including Rs.3.58 crore earmarked for acquisition of structures.
The construction of Community Hall in this locality would provide much-need relief to the people living around this area as it will facilitate holding of marriage functions and other social events.
After his arrival at Khanqah-e-Maula, the Chief Minister was briefed about the acquisition of structures in Phase I for expansion of the shrine premises. He directed the Floriculture Department to landscape the existing park and other areas within the shrine precincts.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, briefed the Chief Minister about the ongoing works of face-lifting being executed by the Department, which includes painting and restoration of papier machie work on the exteriors of the structure, for which INTACH, J&K Chapter, has been engaged as Consultant.
At Sangarmal City Centre, the VC SDA briefed the Chief Minister about the proposed multiplex on the land recently transferred to it from the Estates Department.
It was given out that the complex will have a childrens park, a banquet hall, food courts and underground parking. He desired that the provision for parking should be substantially augmented and till such time the execution is given a head-start, the work on the landscaping should immediately commence.
The Chief Minister also desired that the construction of the proposed hotel block should be taken up in PPP mode.
Later, at Basant Bagh, the Chief Minister instructed that the development of park along the Ghat should be assigned to the Floriculture Department.
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