Following shifting of much crowded 62 year old bus stand with a capacity to provide space to over 2000 vehicles in Batmaloo to Parimpora in outskirts of Srinagar , and with an eye to make prior arrangements for shifting of all offices under Srinagar Master Plan 2035 , an idea to have a Mini Secretariat was given a practical shape when two years back its foundation stone was laid at an identified nearby site. This project, on a sprawling area of 114 kanals of land , with an estimated cost of more than Rs.100 crore of an administrative complex planned to be built on new exquisite pattern was to house various offices of the district and the provincial administration. The plan prepared in respect of this secretariat, on the face of it, looks attractive in that it proposes to have elevators, common facility centre, basement parking facility, staff rooms, staff halls and what not exactly as required as per demand of the day . So far so good but when would it actually come up for actual use and utility is the moot question.
When plans are drawn and complexes like the one under reference kept in mind for building , there are number of advantages envisaged that would accrue in terms of saving time, taking decisions in shortest period of time because of quick movement of files and documents inter-se various offices proposed to be housed under one roof and above all, public convenience and facilities to be ensured to take place. In the heat of preparing all the papers like Detailed Project Report (DPR) etc , one main aspect which would “make the mare go” – money is given a casual attention. Though in the DPR , funds flow chart is meticulously drawn but wherefrom the same are to be arranged are just usually casually mentioned. Initially, the work gets started with lot of hype and zeal which both fizzle out shortly.
That exactly is the story of this ‘Mini Secretariat’ in Srinagar. While some construction work was started in 2017 but no provision for funds and the same consequently not flowed to the project has resulted in the oft experienced ‘inevitable’ – project held up and not moving ahead. Was it all a drama enacted to show the urgency of shifting the bus stand that digging the plinth area etc like works were undertaken, is what many a resident suspect. Administration showing no concern or urgency in the matter is surprising besides no assurances given or plans are announced about the fate of this secretariat building complex. Roads and Buildings Department, which is executing the project, said that once funds would be provided by the Government, the work on it would be started.
Since no development has taken place since more than a year and the area is now without any productive use, it has become a place for dumping of waste material and heaps of garbage could be seen strewn there. With the passage of more time, juggies , huts and other type of vending outlets were bound to come up evicting whom later would be not an easy job. It was opportune time for the administration to take a decision and arrange funds for this building . Financial Institutions in consortium or in individual capacities too could be approached for providing funds in case Government was not in a position to arrange the same from its own sources. It would also set at rest speculations and apprehensions nursed in the dislocated transporters from the bus stand.
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