Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 2: Minister for Public Works, Floriculture and Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today made an on spot inspection of Pratap Park, Zero bridge and its adjacent Park in Rajbagh. The Minister reviewed augmentation works in both public parks and protection of nearby Bund in Rajbagh being completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.50 crore.
Mr. Bukhari impressed upon executing agencies to complete these works before the next tourist season and also plant perennial plants with exquisite colours which will have less annual maintenance besides adding 20 per cent flora as different annuals. He also instructed for proper maintenance to be ensured so that the Pratap Park emerges as land mark of Srinagar city.
While inspecting the tourist amenities works taken up by JKPCC at Zero Bridge, the Minister instructed Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to transfer the land adjacent to the bridge to Horticulture Department for further landscaping and development of the site.
The Minister also instructed Managing Director JKPCC to develop a multi level parking facility near the site and to ensure protection works of the graveyard at the back end.
While inspecting the development of Zero bridge Park presently being augmented, the Minister stressed on the officers to put in all efforts to make it more attractive, considering tourist flow in the area.
The Minister further instructed executing department to make the Bund along river Jhelum at Zero bridge stronger and attractive. He also instructed that the both sides of the river Jhelum in the vicinity be beautified as already ordered by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during his last tour to the area.
Reviewing repairs and renovation work carried on zero bridge, the Minister ordered for an early completion of works b y the executing agency.