Jammu, March 1 (Scoop News) – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday underscored the protection and preservation of water bodies as the earnest duty of every citizen to safeguard the ecology, environment and water resources of the State.
Chairing a meeting of Suransar-Mansar Development Authority (SMDA) here, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress and achievements of the authority for the development and beautification of these places of tourist and pilgrim importance.
The Chief Minister said that the Development Authorities constituted to protect and develop State’s rich treasure of natural beauty, lakes and water bodies, should render their service with dedication and sincerely in accomplishing the stupendous goal.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Davender Singh Rana, legislators, Harshdev Singh, Jugal Kishore, Yashpal Kundal, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, Khurshid Ahmad Gani, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas and various senior officers were present in the meeting.
In a PowerPoint presentation the Chief Executive Officer, SMDA explained the physical and financial progress made by the Authority during the year 2010-11.
He told the meeting that the Authority has completed children amusement park, restaurant, cafeteria and games facility, club building, day boarding and community kitchen, bathing ghats, viewing decks, shopping complex, public convenience, water aerators, viewing points, paths, parking places and approach road to club at and around Mansar Lake.
He said park at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh is under progress in Surinsar Lake area while as bathing ghats, children park, tower lights, view points and other facilities have already been completed.
The CEO said that at Purmandal rain shelter sheds, view points, lotus pond, high mast lights and park has also been completed. While in Utterbani pilgrim spot community kitchen, lighting system, shelter sheds have also been completed.
Giving details of the development programmes under execution in these areas, the CEO said that an expenditure of Rs. 3.20 crores have been incurred on various works programmes under the SMDA during the current financial year by the end of February.
The Chief Minister approved Rs. 50 lakhs for the land acquisition for constructing tourist infrastructure at Mansar, Surinsar, Purmandal and Utterbani.
The meeting reviewed the physical and financial ac achievements registered during the current financial year and also got appraisal of the action taken on various decisions made in the first meeting of SMDA.