Azad makes surprise check of double shift works in Srinagar

Srinagar, June 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today made a surprise visit to various parts of the Srinagar city to assess progress of works launched under the double-shift system.

Starting his visit at 0700 hrs this morning, he stopped at various places and walked on the road along with officials to inspect the works.

Mr Azad was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Basharat Ahmed, several chief engineers, heads of different development departments and other officials concerned.

The Chief Minister stopped at Rainawari Chowk and interacted with people, the executing agencies and assessed the pace of progress on the macadamization of the road.

The residents apprised Mr Azad of the work which was being executed in their area in two shifts. They also urged him to soon commission the new block of the Rainawari hospital.

Mr Azad asked the Divisional Commissioner to ensure its smooth opening to facilitate the people within a week's time. He also inspected the ongoing expansion work of Saida Kadal and Ashai Bagh bridges and the roads and directed for speedy completion.

At Nigeen, the Chief Minister observed that work on drainage and sewerage system had created hindrance to free flow of traffic and a Chinar tree was misused for tying electric wires.

He asked the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) Vice Chairman to start proceedings for black-listing the contractor for slow pace of work and creating problems to the people residing nearby, if found responsible.

Mr Azad also visited the Hazratbal shrine and ordered for immediate expansion of its lawns and beautification of periphery.

The Chief Minister told the officials concerned that when he was present in the lawns of the shrine on the day of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi he observed that the lawns were insufficient to accommodate a huge rush of devotees.

He asked all the officials concerned to work in two phases for removal of structures in the periphery of the shrine so that the people do not feel any inconvenience.

He emphasized that facilities for ablution in a scientific manner be ensured both for men and women separately.

The Chief Minister also went around the northern foreshore road.

The work under the double-shift system had got underway on May 20 and yielded effective results. One tube of the road, which had got defunct several years ago, has been made motorable and 90 per cent of its work from Naseem Bagh corner to Nishat completed.

He was informed that within next seven days the entire tube would be made motorable.

UNI AG MSJ BD1430