Srinagar, Jan 27: Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Samoon on Friday announced that the work on Rs 5 crore beautification project of Jamia Masjid Corridor is likely to start from April this year.
 “He hoped, by March this year, the project will get approval from Government of India,” an official handout said.
 Samoon said “by execution of this project, it will not only restore the past glory of the historic Jamia Masjid but will also promote more pilgrimage tourism including commercial activities in the area and will strengthen the economy of the locals.”
 He said the City has a “tremendous potential of pilgrimage tourism and the government is making all efforts to promote pilgrimage tourism in whole Jammu and Kashmir.”
 The meeting, among others, was attended by District Development Commissioner, Baseer Ahmed Khan, Director, Tourism, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Director, SKICC, GN Qasba Chief Engineer of  R&B, Mustaq Ahmed Lone, Chief Engineer, PDD, Muzafar Ahmed Matoo, Director Floriculture, HP Singh, Officers of Forest, ASI, and the representatives of Jamia Masjid Traders Federation led by their President Javed Ahmed Zargar.
 On the occasion, the representatives of Jamia Masjid Market Federation gave full assurance to the Divisional Administration for supporting in implementation of the said project in letter and spirit, the official handout said.
 Dr Samoon said: “Historic Jamia Masjid is our identity, century old heritage and it is the responsibility of all the sections of the society to fully support implementation of the project.”
 The District Development Commissioner said: “There are some other areas, where we have to focus, among them, which require immediate attention are: setting up a fire station, a Primary Health Centre equipped with latest medical tools, ATM facilities from Jammu and Kashmir Bank and an effective drainage system.”
 The meeting also discussed the rehabilitation of Muslim Park shopkeepers, so that the park could be developed for the common people.
 Besides, the official handout said, the meeting was also informed about the Nagar Nagger project, coming at the cost of Rs 38.14 crores. Pertinently Greater Kashmir has been continuing a sustained campaign against the alleged neglect of Jamia Market and the Naagar Nagar.
 The meeting was told by the Director Tourism that the work on the Mughal rampart has already been started from Kathidarwaza side.
He said that “construction of a restaurant at Naager Nager, cable car line, tourists accommodation, public connivances, interpretation centre and water park was in the pipeline.”
On the occasion, SMC was directed to make all the streetlights functional immediately.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST