After concluding his 3-day tour to the district including border Gurez and Tulail tehsils yesterday, the Minister for Tourism, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti convened a meeting of Officers to review meeting the development scenario of the area.
The District Development Commissioner Bandipora Khursheed Ahmad Sanaie, Director Tourism Mahmood A Shah, sectorial and district officers were present in the meeting.
The DDC in his comprehensive Power Point Presentation briefed the Minister about the developmental scenario of the district. He was informed that over Rupees 63.54 crore were utilised for execution of various developmental works during last financial year.
Reviewing the physical achievements, the Minister was informed that about 140 kilometre road length has been macadamized, 11 developmental projects including Athwatoo bridge have been completed at a cost of Rs 30 crore.8 water supply Scheme costing Rupees 21.25 crore have also been completed during last financial year.
The Minister was also informed that 4 projects have been completed at a cost of Rs. 15.30 crore under creation of new infrastructure. These 4 projects include Conference Hall, DDC Residence and DakBungalow at Sumbal and Aytmulla.
The Minister was also informed about the projects targeted for the current financial year which include 42 road, bridge, irrigation, and water supply Scheme.
The Minster expressed strong concern over the eroded hillsides, stressed the need for adopting bioengineering techniques to address the problem.
The Minister stressed the need to develop and preserve aesthetically rich heritage and natural resources of the area, the Minister directed DDC Bandipora to make teams and conduct regular recce to set a system in place for everyday grievances.
The Minister had a detailed review of R&B, PDD, Education, Forests, Agriculture and sanitation programmes.
Expressing his displeasure over the dilapidated condition of Bandipora -Gurez -Tulial and other Rural as well as Urban roads of the district, the Minister asked concerned engineers to improve the quality of engineering and produce good quality of roads.
Stressing the need for making education qualitative, the Minister questioned Chief Education Officer, Bandipora about the challenges he is facing at primary school level and asked him to streamline the system by improving the quality of education across the district.
The Minister also stressed the need for Hill Stabilization, conservation of environment and resources. He asked NHPC authorities to remove the accumulated debris at the dam site of Power Project which has polluted the local environment. The General Manager NHPC in his reply said that since the project has recently been inaugurated, all the remaining works are being carried out with in a shortest possible time.
He also took review of sanitation facilities and directed the concerned officers for creating proper Waste Disposal Management across the district to improve hygiene.