Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 29: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora today visited Rakh-e-Gund Akshah and reviewed the progress of work on the ambitious project.
The Minister was accompanied by Commissioner-Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Jeet Lal Gupta, Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Mohammad Shafi Rather and other senior officers of the department.
Mr Jora during his on- spot inspection, directed officers of the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) for fast-track land acquisition at Rakh-e-Gund Akashah for development of an integrated satellite Colony to cope with the mounting housing demand in Srinagar city.
While reviewing the present status of the proposed site, the Minister asked Commissioner Secretary to formulate a proposal for revision of compensation to be given to tillers for the land at Rakh-e-Gund Akshah for obtaining cabinet approval to speed up the acquisition process.
Mr Jora was informed that out of 4500 kanals of land, 500 kanals of land have already been acquired by SDA and out of which 200 kanals are being developed by way of earth filling.
The Minister also paid a visit to the proposed site for Shehjar Apartments, Bemina where he asked SDA authorities to go ahead for the construction of around 600 residential flats at two locations. The Minister while interacting with the officers of SDA asked them to keep a provision for weaker sections and houseless people. He asked the authorities to kick start construction work immediately in view of the limited season available in the Valley.
On the occasion, the Minister was informed that for speedy development of the projects taken up in Housing and Commercial sectors, the Srinagar Development Authority has decided to seek funding from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO). He was further informed that in the first phase, SDA would be constructing 60 flats near existing Gulposh Apartments while around 500 more flats-Shehjar Apartments would be constructed at Mini Housing Colony, opposite Haj House, Bemina.
Mr Jora was also informed that HUDCO has also agreed to provide funding for acquisition of land for development of Integrated Commercial Centre at Railhead Nowgam. The proposed Commercial Centre would house hotels, motels, restaurants, shopping plazas, office space, multi-level and recreational facilities. The Centre would be spread over 1500 kanals of land already notified by the Government for the said purpose.
The Minister was also told that another key project to be taken for execution by SDA with the funding of HUDCO is construction of office- cum- convention complex at MA Road near the existing Sangarmaal city Centre. Besides, exclusive office spaces, the complex will have state-of-the-art conference hall for holding conferences, seminars and media interactions.
Later, the Minister chaired a high level meeting of the officers of SDA and reviewed the existing and future projects to be taken up for the execution by concerned agency.
The Minister also enquired about the encroachment of SDA land and directed the officers that nobody should be allowed to encroach the land of SDA and asked them to crush those who are violating the norms of the Government.
Follow our WhatsApp channel