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| Dal gets artificial makeover for PM's visit | | |  Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 1: Government might have ignored restoration of Dal Lake, but the authorities are these days busy in making artificial makeover of the famed water body for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.
There are various schemes launched for the preservation of the lake without any desired results. For the last 16 years, Rs 759 crores have been spent on conservation of Dal Lake. Among Rs 759, Rs 400.96 crores have been allocated by the Central government for conservation of the Dal Lake, while Rs 359.93 crores have been spent so far. Recently, the High Court said that crores of rupees have been spent on Dal and no "fruitful results" have come out.
During his visit in Kashmir, Narendra Modi would stay at SKICC Srinagar, where he would address sarpanchs and BJP workers. He would also inaugurate several developmental projects online from SKICC and tour the Dal Lake.
Now the government is these days busy in giving a makeover to the famed water body to impress the Prime Minister.
"Restoration work of the lake has been beefed up to impress the Prime Minister," an official of the Lakes and Water Ways Development Department, said. "Prime Minister is likely to tour the Dal Lake to Charchanari (an island inside the land). Renovation work of Charchanari has been taken up to give an impression that government is concerned towards the development of the lake," the official said.
These days it could be seen that government has beefed up the restoration work of the parapet walls surrounding the scenic Dal Lake that were damaged.
"The walls are being repaired in view of PM's visit," the official said.
With only few days left, the area gets a major face-lift for the Prime Minister's visit.
"Complete restoration of walls will be taken up on the later stage," a labourer said.
The surroundings of the SKICC are being cleaned these days. The labourers are busy in cleaning the pathways and painting the roads.
Earlier during his visit to Srinagar, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has announced Rs 350 crore for the development of Dal Lake. For the last 16 years, Rs 800 crores have been spent on conservation of Dal Lake. Several studies have revealed that there has been no improvement in the quality of Dal waters over the years. Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the SKICC and Boulevard will remain closed for two days. |
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