Baseer Khan visits Sitaharan, Khag, adjoining areas

Budgam, Sep 6: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Baseer Ahmad Khan, Monday conducted an extensive visit of Sitaharan, Khag, Magam, Aripanthan, Drang and adjoining areas to assess status of ongoing development works of Rural Development and Power Development Departments besides reviewing functioning of Tosmaidan Development Authority.
Advisor, along with Chief Engineer KPDCL, Director Rural Development Kashmir, ADC Budgam and other officers, inspected renovation works being executed at receiving stations Magam and Aripanthan.
Advisor directed the concerned executing agencies to accelerate the pace of progress on several vital development works for timely completion in view of ensuing winter season.
Asserting that Tossamaidan has vast potential to emerge as famous tourist destination, Advisor said that the spot has already been indicated as new tourist destination and in this connection a comprehensive plan is under process to initiate development of this tourist site. He said that an ATM and other banking services shall be made available in the area soon besides creating other requisite facilities. In this regard, he instructed the officers to frame effective plans for renovation and up-gradation of existing facilities in the area to give boost to tourism.
Advisor said that preservation of Ecology and Environment along with development has to be given paramount importance while taking up any project to develop this tourist spot.
Advisor also inspected under construction play field at Sitaharan and directed the concerned to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.
Advisor also took stock of electricity scenario in the area and informed that damaged electric poles and wires are being replaced on war footing across J&K. “Transformers, wires and poles have been procured, PRIs need to project their requirements immediately so that electricity supply is augmented well before ensuing winter season”, Advisor added.
Advisor, while reviewing Covid-19 status, advised the people to strictly adhere to all mandated SOPs on this account with observance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour as part of life. He urged upon senior citizens, religious leaders and PRIs to come forward and use their influence in spreading the message about Do’s and Don’ts related to COVID-19 pandemic.
Later, advisor had thorough interaction session with the DDC Chairman, its members and others at Sitaharan where huge gathering of locals as well as people from adjacent areas raised their grievances. Their issues included construction and improvement of roads, water supply, up gradation of PHC Khag, transport services, creation of Munsiff Court and deployment of staff and vehicle for Fire Station at Khag, bank branch at Shunglipora, Government Degree College at Khag and related demands.
Responding to public issues, Advisor assured that all their demands and grievances shall be taken up on priority for redressal. He also gave on spot directions for redressal of some of the issues.
Chairman DDC Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Khan, apprised the Advisor of grievances and demands concerning development and welfare of Sitaharan and Khag.