Ghats along prestigious water channel to be restored shortly: DC Srinagar

Srinagar, Jun 24: District Development Commissioner(DDC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Thursday chaired a meeting of officers to review the pace of works being carried out for restoration of historical water bodies in Srinagar including Nigeen Lake, Khushaal sar, Gilsar and Nallah-e-Amir Khan.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Khurshid Ahmad,Chief Planning Officer, Mohammad Yaseen Lone, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rayees Ahmad, Joint Commissioner SMC, Superintendent Engineer PHE Hydraulic, Superintendent Engineer UEED, officers from LAWDA, Floriculture, Revenue, Forest, NBCC and other concerned departments were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the District Development Commissioner was apprised about the latest status regarding the restoration works. He was also given detailed presentations through Google Map on the water channels in Srinagar showing encroachments and restoration work done so far.
The DDC directed the concerned to ensure all Ghats along the water channel are restored over next 2-3 days.
He also directed for constituting a five member Committee of officers from Revenue, PWD, I&FC, LAWDA and SMC to conduct the survey of all Ghats and approach road within 3 days.
The DC also directed SMC to ensure removal of garbage and muck along the embankments and install dust bins all along the channels within 2 days.
The DDC was informed that door to door garbage collection has been started in the concerned SMC wards to curb littering and throwing garbage in water bodies leading to their degradation which poses great threat to human existence.
The Superintendent Engineer PWD informed that DPR for redesigning of bridges along the channel will be submitted within 3 days and necessary upgradation work will be started soon.
The DDC asked the UEED to prepare a DPR for the Garland drainage system with 3 days to upgrade the existing drainage system on modern lines.
The LAWDA authorities were asked to submit an updated detailed report regarding restoration of Baba Dam water body on a weekly basis.
The DDC urged all the officers to work in a coordinated manner to conserve and revive pristine glory of these historical water bodies. He further said that one of the purposes of the restoration measures is to restore the original water navigation circuit in Srinagar district. The restoration of these water bodies will not only enhance the scenic beauty and environment of the areas but also generate ample opportunities of employment for local youth.
The DDC also appealed to people to stop littering and throwing garbage in water bodies leading to their degradation which poses great threat to human existence. He also asked the concerned officers to gear up the surveillance teams and intensify the anti encroachment drive along Nigeen Lake, Khushaal sar, Gilsar and Nalah-e-Amir Khan and take strict action as per law against the persons indulging in littering and dumping garbage into these natural resources.