Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has sanctioned over Rs nine crore for construction of a bypass road in his home constituency Anantnag in order to decongest heavy vehicular traffic.
Describing roads as critical infrastructure around which overall development revolves, the chief minister sanctioned Rs 9.51 crore for immediate construction of Mehndikadal-Ashajipora Bypass Road, which will provide alternate access to heavy vehicular traffic, thus easing congestion in the main town, a spokesperson said here today. Sayeed made the announcement while undertaking an extensive tour of Anantnag and Bijbehara in south Kashmir yesterday.
The chief minister has set a deadline of December-end this year for the Public Works Department for completing the 2.1 km road stretch, the spokesperson said.
Sayeed also passed directions to Minister for Public Works, Syed Altaf Bukhari, who accompanied him, to immediately macadamize roads within the main town, schools as well as college premises.
During his visit to Bar Association Chambers at District Court Complex, the chief minister sanctioned Rs five lakh for purchase of new law books and referrals for the library.
He emphasied upon improving the quality of education in government institutions so that they become institutes of excellence and announced introduction of biometric system of attendance to ensure punctuality among students and teachers, continuous evaluation system, and setting up of smart rooms through e-learning.
Sayeed also asked Director, School Education, to assess the requirement of four boys and girls higher secondary schools at Ranibagh, Brakpora, and Bijehara for their up-gradation to the level of Model Schools. During Sayeed's visit to Boys' Degree College, Khanabal, the Principal of the College handed over a cheque of Rs 1,33,350 towards the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund, the spokesperson said.
The chief minister also issued directions to merge the historic Ranibagh Garden with Sher Bagh so that it is developed as a major tourist attraction. He visited Government District Hospital, Anantnag, where he was briefed about the functioning of the newly constructed additional blocks by the CMO.
Sayeed directed to immediately draw up a list of high-tech machines and requirement of consultants so that patients don't have to go to tertiary hospitals like SKIMS for advanced treatment and referrals, the spokesperson said. The chief minister was accompanied by many ministers of his cabinet along with officials of civil and police administration.
