Bharat Nirman to be structured in Kashmir

A special institutional mechanism will be created for effective and time-bound implementation of the prestigious Bharat Nirman Programme in Jammu & Kashmir under which thousands of crores of rupees will be available to the state from centre for massive infrastructure development.

"The Bharat Nirman Programme provides a golden opportunity to the state and no body should miss it," Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said at a high-level meeting chaired by him here last evening.

Emphasising that a work calendar for executing all schemes be chalked out from today and strictly followed, he said agencies which failed to complete the projects within a fixed time frame, would be held personally responsible for delay.

The chief minister also emphasized that historical city of Srinagar was required to be beautified.

He said the Jhelum river passing through heart of the city, which was known for its seven bridges, at present gave a pathetic look and had been polluted by ruthlessly allowing drainage to pour in, and needed to be covered under a massive desilting and beautification scheme, right from Sonawar to Chhatabal, an area of 14km.

It was decided in the meeting that one reputed consultant will be engaged for preparing a comprehensive project for building up parks and water sports facilities on both banks of the river Jhelum.

It was also decided that a water body would be created in Tawi at Jammu and steps would also be taken to utilise the wasteland around Tawi by preparing a comprehensive project.

The chief minister directed that under the programme, all villages particularly remote and far-flung areas should be provided with road connectivity within next three years and that the roads and building department should work from today for acquiring land for the purpose.