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| Move beyond reviewing water transport in Srinagar | | Whom is Admin trying to befool? | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 12: The reflection of how much pathetic is the condition of the state administration in Jammu and Kashmir could be gauged by the fact that for the past three years, the state dispensation has been hoodwinking people in the name of water transport- reviewing its functioning every year.
On April 11 as per the official handout, to ease traffic congestion in the capital city, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today convened a meeting to review modalities for water transport on river Jhelum. Various issues were discussed threadbare in the review meeting. Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Director Tourism, Chief Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
Ironically, the government thinks that peoples' memory is too weak that they wouldn't remember that this much hyped water transport facility was announced years ago by the government and crores of tax payers money was spent on it. However, it proved as a flop show in the end.
Almost three years ago, on July 12, 2017, then District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone, launched Water Transport Services on a trial basis, from Ghat located on river Jhelum, near the erstwhile Grindlays Bank at Zero Bridge. It was stated that initially two motor boats with carrying capacity of 18 persons in one boat and eight persons in another boat at highly subsidized rates would be introduced for locals as well as tourists. The authorities at that time stated that motor driven traditional shikaras would also be available which will cross through famous seven bridges in the river Jhelum. Irrigation and Flood Control Department would be maintaining the Ghat as an anchor point for the motor boats.
On June 11, 2018, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, said the government will start the services from June 28 2018.
Khan made the announcement after chairing an extensive meeting with senior officers from across the Valley to review the steps taken to streamline traffic in the Kashmir Division, he said.
It was at that time stated that the day service of the water transport will be started on the said date.
Khan directed the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, the JKTDC and the Irrigation and Flood Control departments to finalise route-wise rates for the service within four days. During the meeting, the divisional commissioner was informed that the irrigation and flood control departments had made a proposal of Rs 2.20 crores for construction of additional river ghats and Rs 35 lakh for the repair of old ghats.
The process of estimation for lightening arrangements along the ghats has been completed by the Power Development Department, the spokesman at that time stated.
Now, when almost a year has gone by, one wonders how come the same water transport facility will be made available to the masses which has been started twice during the past two years. |
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