Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Friday chaired a public grievance redressal camp on the banks on Jhelum river at Rajbagh here.
The grievance redressal camp was part of the public outreachinitiative the district administration has started in the district. It wasaimed at addressing the concerns of the houseboat owners in the Jhelum.
The DC while speaking on the occasion said the districtadministration has chalked out a comprehensive modernisation plan for Jhelum involvingtime-bound execution of developmental works and setting up of facilities aimedat restoring the grandeur of the historic river.
He said the plan involves refurbishment and modernisation ofhouseboats in the river and setting up of facilities along the banks thereofwhich will not just enhance the financial opportunities for the owners ofhouseboats but also facilitate stakeholdership in the upkeep of the river.
He said refurbishment of houseboats in Jhelum is a part ofthe larger plan aimed at restoring the grandeur of the historic river.
Dr Shahid said the plan involves modernisation of houseboatswhich are in good shape and condition. He said the houseboats which are in dilapidated condition will be dismantled andremoved and their owners compensated with plots of land.
He said the larger modernisation plan involvesbeautification and establishment of various kinds of facilities along Jhelumbanks. He said the facilities to be set up therein include libraries, kiosks,parks and aesthetic infrastructure.
The DC said the houseboat owners will be the first amongstthe beneficiaries of these facilities. He said self help groups of these ownerswill run the business kiosks to be set up along the banks.
Dr Shah said the project is going to time-bound and will bekick-started soon.Additional Deputy Commissioner KK Sidha andJoint Director Planning MY Lone and senior officers from different departmentsconcerned were present on the occasion.