Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Underlining the need for development of new housing colonies on modern lines in the peripheries of Srinagar and Jammu Capital Cities, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today asked the Housing Department to come up with comprehensive projects in this regard.
“In order to decongest the twin capital cities and provide adequate housing facilities to people taking cognizance of the rapid growth, the creation of modern townships are need of the hour”, he added.
Laying foundation of Rs. 14.87 crore Rehabilitation and Channelization of Storm Water Drainage System in Channi Himmat here, the Chief Minister said that a gigantic proposal for multimode mobility projects for Srinagar and Jammu cities involving over Rs. 40000 crore are under process of getting linked with financial resources.
“Since the State is not in a position to take up these huge multifaceted projects on its own alone, as such, Government of India is being approached to get the financial assistance in a phased manner so that these projects are completed and two Cities provided with modern multimode transport facility”, he said.
The Chief Minister said that as the Chairman of Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), he has directed the Agency to concentrate on taking up huge projects like flyovers, mega-water supply schemes, large sewerage and drainage programmes and other high cost big-ticket projects requiring regular flow of funds for completion in a time bound manner under ERA programmes.
Omar said that besides two flyovers, one each at Srinagar and Jammu, multi-tier parking complexes, drainage and sewerage projects etc have been taken in hand by ERA in the two cities to upgrade basic amenities, decongest traffic, improve road communication and ensure proper disposal of house refuse.
The Chief Minister said that a mega drinking water supply scheme to cater to the needs of greater Jammu upto next 20 to 25 years is being executed under ERA utilizing Asian Development Bank funding. He said the project envisaging supply of drinking water to Jammu from Chenab and involves an expenditure of over Rs. 500 crores.
Omar also referred to various other projects being executed by ERA in the two divisions and said that completion of these projects would provide wide-ranging benefits to the people. He asked the ERA management to stick to the targets fixed for completion of projects.
Praising the dynamism of Raman Bhalla who represents Gandhi Nagar Constituency in the State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said that Mr. Bhalla gives full attention to the development of his constituency as MLA. “The day will not be far off when there will be no further development demand in this constituency”, Omar said in a lighter vein.
The Chief Minister extended Baisakhi greetings to the people on the occasion and wished them well-being and prosperity
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Housing and Horticulture, Raman Bhalla presented the resume of projects completed in Gandhi Nagar Constituency to upgrade basic amenities during the last four years of the present dispensation. He said presently drainage schemes costing crores of rupees are under execution in the constituency. He said Channi Himmat drainage project would benefit more than 40,000 souls residing in six sectors of the colony.
Mr Raman Bhalla underlined the need for more 10 to 12 tube wells in his constituency and said that ERA could work on this requirement of the people so that the drinking water is amply available in the area.
Welcoming the Chief Minister, CEO ERA, Sourav Bhagat said that projects worth over Rs. 900 crores are being taken up for execution by the ERA during this year.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Member of the Governing Body ERA and Provincial President NC, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana and various officers.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel