Advisor Khan reviews Srinagar’s sewerage, drainage projects

SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today chaired a meeting to discuss the status of sewerage treatment projects being executed by NBCC at Ali Jan Road to Waganpora and drainage projects of other executing agencies.

Advisor Khan said the completion of the sewerage and drainage projects would go a long way in improving hygiene and related issues in summer capital city and thereby provide the much-needed relief to both citizens and visitors.

He exhorted the officers to set out a roadmap for executing the projects in the shortest possible timeframe. “As new residential colonies are emerging rapidly, Srinagar city needs futuristic and perspective sewerage and drainage networking plan,” he said.

He directed the SMC, NBCC, R&B, PHE, SDA and other concerned departments to map out sewerage and drainage networks of entire Srinagar city within a week so that proper segregation plan could be evolved to reduce water-logging.

The Advisor asked Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to inspect and monitor the NBCC and other drainage projects on a daily basis.

“Div Com should take strict action against those agencies and departments who show laxity in their approach and submit the report on weekly basis to higher authorities,” he said, adding that strict action will be taken against the officers who are found to be responsible for delaying the projects.

He urged the officers to work with sincerity and dedication so that the way of life is eased in the capital city which was recently listed as one of the top ‘50 Cleanest Cities’ of the country.

The meeting was informed that the city has 1400 km of deep drains in which the SMC maintains 750 km and the rest is the traditional drainage system which needs immediate reconstruction.

During the current fiscal, the Srinagar District Administration has released Rupees 14 crore to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation for strengthening drainage network in Srinagar City.

The Corporation had already submitted Rs 1400 crore proposal to the higher authorities for the same, SMC officials said. The advisor assured them that the proposal will be examined at the earliest.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineers of PHE, R&B, Commissioner SMC, SSP Traffic, Superintending Engineers of PDD, PWD, CRP, Executive Engineer UEED, AGM NBCC, Technical Officer UEED, Deputy Project Manager NBCC, DIO Javed Ahmad Rather and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.