Jammu and Kashmir government plans to develop Srinagar as green and clean city with proper and hygienic disposal of garbage.
“Yes, it is a fact that Srinagar Municipal Corporation is trying to develop Srinagar as green and clean city. For this purpose, a lot of measures are being initiated which include proper and hygienic disposal of garbage,” Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Assembly here.
Singh, who is Minister for Housing and Urban Development Department, said construction of fountains at different road crossings as well as at prominent places is also planned. For the current year, a proper provision has been kept under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for development of parks in Srinagar city, he said.
In future, he said the corporation contemplates to develop a number of green spaces and plantation strips. Besides, the corporation is in process of developing all Municipal parks, Singh said.
In reply to another question, the Deputy Chief Minister said Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for management and restoration of Khushalsar, Gilsar and Anchar lakes in Srinagar has been submitted to Union Ministry of Environmental and Forest for consideration.
“The PFR for management and restoration of lakes viz Khushalsar, Gilsar and Anchar has been submitted to Ministry of Environmental and Forest for consideration. The approval is awaited,” he said when asked about the steps being taken for the preservation of these water bodies.
However, he said there was no proposal for creating a separate development authority for Anchar and Khushalsar lakes as yet.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has the mandate for conservation and management of Dal and Nigeen lakes – the star attraction for tourists visiting the summer capital – only.
He said LAWDA has issued 189 building permissions between April 1, 2014 to April 30, 2016 which include 177 residential, 11 commercial and one government building.
In addition, 36 permissions have been issued to flood affected persons during the same period, Singh said in written reply to another question.