Mufti tours Anantnag constituency

Srinagar, June 10: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has said the operationalization of proposed medical colleges in the state should be expedited to ensure that the people in concerned areas receive their benefit without delay and avenues of medical education receive a fillip.

During his tour of Anantnag constituency, which he represents in the state assembly, today he said Anantnag and Baramulla medical colleges could be fast-tracked as considerable infrastructure is available for setting up full-fledged institutions there. Mufti said both in Anantnag and Baramulla the construction of 300 bedded hospitals is in advanced stage and South and North campuses of Kashmir University could offer makeshift academic spaces for them. Mufti said it seems the state government has yet to take a look at these aspects and these positive features could help expedite the setting up of these important institutions. Mufti was accompanied by Romesh Koul Chairman Migrant Cell ;Zone President Adv. Sheikh Javed; Adv Javaid Sathoo, Imran Amin; Adv G A Thakur Ex Chairman Muncipal Council Anantnag, Ab Aziz Najar, B A Pahalwan.

Expressing dismay over the inability of the government to implement the projects for decongestion of Anantnag town and completion of shopping complex and the bus stand, Mufti said the district headquarters presents a picture of complete neglect and apathy. He said the government must realize the importance of Anantnag town as a major stop in the tourist circuit of South Kashmir and its historic importance as a trading hub and administrative headquarters of the area. Mufti said it was regrettable that all initiatives taken to modernize the infrastructure in the area have been shelved.

Calling for stepping up work on the up gradation of National Highway, Mufti said it was strange that while a more difficult project between Jammu-Udhampur had been executed with speed and quality the Srinagar-Qazigund stretch over a flat and easy terrain had taken years without much headway. He said the inability of the state government to pursue the execution of this vital road link has put thousands of commuters to daily inconvenience and creates traffic pressures even on Srinagar and all major towns up to Qazigund. He said he has requested the party’s members of parliament to take up the matter with the concerned ministry in New Delhi.

Mufti said the projects launched by the previous government need to be carried forward to improve the level of amenities to the people of Anantnag town and rest of the South Kashmir of which it is the main commercial and administrative center. He said the town needs to be decongested to ensure free flow of traffic and cater to increased rush of general public and tourists.

He said the road passing through the town from Khanabal to Janglath Mandi and onwards should be widened on the pattern of Khanabal Pahalgam road and the areas around it beatified.

Similarly, he said the bazaar leading up to Ziyarat Reshmoul Saheb, Herbagh, Cheeni Chowk and onwards would also need expansion and beautification. This, he said, will open up the town to tourist traffic resulting in increased economic activity besides providing relief to the residents.

Mufti said the scenic spots of the town should be developed for providing recreational facilities to locals. He said the Herbagh and its surroundings including the spring and other springs like Malakhnag should be developed in accordance with a proper plan and their preservation ensured. He said there was a tremendous scope for development of Fatehgarh heights into appropriate tourist facility. The area could be connected through a rope way between Fatehgarh and Ranibagh park.