This refers to the news item regarding Chrar-i-Sharief Development Project (GK 13th, 2011). I was the Project Officer from 2000 to 2002 and I feel it relevant to share some information with readers.
Tsrar-i-Sharief has been the center of attraction for the people since last about 600 years as the place ‘Tsraran’ then a dense forest was chosen as his final abode by the universally attained Saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) (1377-1438 AD). The forest where a local estate holder Sangram tended his  cattle, started becoming habitable and is now a densely populated town- biggest in the District Budgam. After some time Tsraran became Tsrar and later on Tsrar-i-Sharief. It is situated in the south west of Srinagar about 30 km. away and has a population of over 20,000 souls. The Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) had himself stated about the place, “I shall search my Lord at this chosen place”. 'Tsraran' literally means ‘to search out’ or ‘to choose.’
It was due to this tremendous religious, spiritual and historic importance of Tsrar-i-Sharief, that the Government had in the late eighties decided to develop it as a Model Town for decongestion, improving sanitation and to ensure other stabilization measures of hill slopes. A satellite colony was identified and acquired nearby covering an area of 500 kanals of land. Some progress was made in the achievement of targets till 1995.
The devastating fire of May 1995, took away the attention of all the Government machinery, when major portion of the town of 900 structures was gutted along with 600 year old Holy Shrine and Khanqah, resulting into the collapse of all system viz. power, water supply, communications etc. This state warranted formulation of up-to-date redevelopment scheme- master plan to include water supply, electrification and roads and for funding of the project, HUDCO loan was got sanctioned to the extent of Rs. 20 crores against the total project cost of Rs. 26 crores. The project was proposed to be completed in a period of two years i.e. by 2004. Besides benefiting the local population, the project would benefit the stream of daily, weekly and Urs-day visitors, which number in lakhs. The place has a magnetic attraction for the tourists also due to its rich historic background and unique picturesque surroundings, landscape, besides lying enroute to the famous tourist resort of Yousmarg -17 km. from Tsrar-i-Sharief and the famous historic Neelnag nearby.
The surrounding karewas (table-lands) grow various fruits like apples, pears, almonds and walnuts besides vegetables like garlic, onion and other bulb plants like saffron etc. The place is also famous for earthen pots, wooden toys, spinning wheels and above all the fire-pot (Tsrari-Kangri) having its own aesthetic appeal and durability. 
The revised master plan after the fire accident included items like:
01)   Development of Gutted Town .
02)   Development of Satellite Colony.
03)   Development of main roads.
04)   Construction of Shopping Complex.
05)   Compensation of structures etc.
The work of development of the model town was taken in hand in full swing and some amount was released by HUDCO in 2001 and the release of further funds was subject to the physical progress on ground. The project however got slowed down on change of guards in 2002, with the change of the government. It is unfortunate that the project was next monitored by a non-technical hand, besides due to paucity of funds, the work came to standstill and the targets could not be achieved resulting in to the present discontent of the public.

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Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST