Asiea reviews Hazratbal Shrine development, beautification project

SRINAGAR: Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Asiea Naqash, convened a meeting to review the progress on beautification of Hazratbal shrine project here today.

Director Tourism, Managing Director Housing Corporation, Project Manager Shrine project, CEO Wakf Board and other concerned attended the meeting.

The Minister asked the officials to expedite the work on Rs 45 crore beautification project so that it can be completed within the stipulated period. She stressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts in removing the bottlenecks hindering the pace of the Shrine project.

Ms Naqash said that the completion of the project will give a much-needed facelift to the revered Shrine and its adjoining areas. She directed tourism officials to make concerted efforts so that it can become one of the main centres of pilgrimage tourism in the State.

Stressing on meeting the set deadline, the Minister directed the officials to complete the project by the end of this year.

To facilitate the devotees who throng the shrine in large numbers, she asked the officials to put chalk out a comprehensive programme for establishing mechanized tensile structures for shading and ablution places.

The Minister was briefed that Ministry of Tourism has released the first installment of Rs 8.40 crore for the implementation of the project.