Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, May 9: In a major decision aimed at decongesting Anantnag town from ever-increasing vehicular traffic, the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today sanctioned Rs. 9.51 crore for immediate construction of Bypass Road from Mehndikadal to Ashajipora.
He also set a deadline of December-end this year to the Public Works Department for completing the 2.1 km road stretch.
Mufti Sayeed made this announcement while undertaking an extensive tour of Anantnag and Bijbehara today, during which he visited Government Women’s and Boys’ Degree Colleges, Anantnag & Bijbehara, Polytechnic College, Larkipora, Government Boys & Girls Higher Secondary Schools at Ranibagh, Brakpora and Bijbehara, Government District, Maternity and Childcare and Rehmat-e-Alam Hospitals, Ranibagh, Sherbagh and Dara Shikoh Gardens, Ziarat Sharief Reshmal Saheb and Kabba Marg and the Bar Association Chambers at Anantnag Court Complex.
Minister for Horticulture, Haj & Auqaf, A. R. Veeri, Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Altaf Bukhari, MP, Nazir Ahamd Laway, MLA, Dooru, Farooq Andrabi, MLA, Kokernag, Abdul Rahim Rather, former MP, Mehboob Beg, former MLAs, Rafi Mir and Peerzada Manzoor Hussain and South Kashmir Coordinator, Sajad Mufti, accompanied the Chief Minister.
Describing roads as the critical infrastructure around which overall development revolves, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. 9.51 crore for immediate construction of Mehndikadal-Ashajipora Bypass Road, which will provide alternate access to heavy vehicular traffic, thus easing congestion in the main town. The bypass will be completed by the PWD by the end of this year.
Mufti Sayeed also passed directions to Minister for Public Works to immediately macadamize roads within the main town, schools as well as college premises.
During his visit to Bar Association Chambers at District Court Complex, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. five lakh for purchase of new law books and referrals for the library. He said he will also explore optimal use of old SSP office building.
Bar Association demanded setting up of one bench of High Court that sits in Anantnag once a week, courts of Additional District & Sessions Judge and Munsiff, creation of a Railway Tribunal as well as Labour Court.
Emphasizing upon improving the quality of education in the Government institutions so that they become institutes of excellence, Mufti Sayeed announced introduction of biometric system of attendance to ensure punctuality among students and teachers, continuous evaluation system and setting up of smart rooms through e-learning. He also asked Director School Education to assess the requirement of four boys and girls higher secondary schools at Ranibagh, Brakpora and Bijbehara for their up-gradation to the level of Model Schools.
During his visit to Women’s Degree College, Anantnag, Mufti Sayeed inspected the college premises, including the playground, and asked the Principal to promote sporting activities in a big way by organizing inter-college competitions in popular sports disciplines.
At Boys’ Degree College, Khanabal, the Principal of the College handed over a cheque of Rs. 1,33,350 towards the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
During his visit to Ranibagh Garden, the Chief Minister issued directions to Minister for Floriculture, Gardens and Parks to merge the historic garden with Sher Bagh so that it is developed as a major tourist attraction. He also asked Chief Engineer R&B to macadamize the road leading to Ranibagh. Director Tourism Kashmir was asked to ensure illumination of the garden premises.
While visiting Dara Shikoh Bagh at Bijbehara, Mufti Sayeed called upon Director Tourism to spruce up the lawns exquisitely so that it becomes main source of recreation for tourists and locals.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the Government District Hospital, Anantnag, where he was briefed about the functioning of the newly-constructed additional blocks by the CMO. He issued directions for immediately drawing up a list of high-tech machines and requirement of consultants so that patients don’t have to go to tertiary hospitals like SKIMS for advanced treatment and referrals.
During his visit to Ziarat Sharief, Reshmol Saheb and Kaba Marg, Mufti Sayeed issued directions to Director Tourism, Kashmir, and Chief Engineer, R&B to prepare detailed plans for constructing separate washrooms and lavatory blocks for women pilgrims as well as renovating the wazu khanas. He also paid a visit to Nagbal Prabandhak Committee, Indernag, where he asked Director Tourism, Kashmir, to develop the Yatri Niwas to facilitate the devotees.
The Chief Minister also inspected a few sites during his tour for setting up of the proposed Medical College at Anantnag.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Gazzanfar Hussain, IGP Kashmir, SMJ Geelani, DIGs of SKR and Traffic Police, Director Tourism, Kashmir & MD JKTDC, Director Colleges, Director School Education, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag and Chief Engineers of I&FC & R&B, besides several other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
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