SRINAGAR: The Executive Committee’s meeting for the revival/restoration/conservation of the architectural heritage of J&K UT was held today in the meeting hall at Civil Secretariat Srinagar under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta.

The meeting was attended by Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Tourism; Rahul Pandey, Director at Archives, Archeology, and Museums; Chief Town Planner Kashmir and various other officials/officers attended the meeting through VC.

At the outset, Rahul Pandey Director at Archives, Archeology, and Museums briefed the committee about the mandate of the scheme highlighting the objectives of the scheme and the progress made on the scheme so far. He also presented before the committee the DPRs of 35 sites — to be executed in the first leg of the scheme. Out of these 35 sites, 17 are based out of Kashmir Division and 18 sites are from Jammu Division.

A multi-dimensional approach for the revival of these 35 sites has been taken into consideration which involves the inclusion of some additional developmental components: landscaping, approach path, directional & informational boards, public amenities, clean-drinking water facility, facade-lighting, boundary wall, etc. over and above the structural component. The overall and component-wise financial breakup of the DPRs was also presented before the committee.

While reviewing the progress, CS said that the restoration of the heritage and architectural sites of J&K is a priority of the government and coordinated efforts have to be taken up to restore the sites to their original positions. He directed the officers/officials to formulate and finalise short, medium, and long term plans for revival, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of architectural and heritage sites of J&K. He said that the short term plans should be immediately executed which include components like landscape, approach road, lighting, information boards, public amenities and the rest of the things that fall under long term plan will automatically follow.

He said that the heritage sites should be made a happening place for the people in consultation with the stakeholders as per the approved action plan and said that once people will start visiting the places it will create ripple effects. He added that the whole exercise is apparently aimed at preserving religious, heritage, and cultural sites in Jammu and Kashmir to which the multitude pay obeisance and these sites represent the composite culture of J&K.

After a comprehensive presentation and detailed discussion, the Executive Committee has given its approval for the execution of all the 35 projects. The committee has also approved the hiring of heritage consultancy services for efficient and expedited execution of the projects. In the next meeting of the committee, the Department of Archives, Archeology, and Museums in consultation with the respective District Administrations shall take up additional heritage sites. As per the directions of the CS, the attempt is to revive/restore/maintain 150 sites in total comprising 75 Sufi sites and 75 other heritage sites of varied cultural, religious, and historical importance.

In addition to that, a conceptual idea of “Heritage Mapping” was also presented before the committee by Daksh Dev, a Lieutenant Governor’s Sustainable Fellow working with the Department of Culture J&K UT. The idea was aimed towards creating a digital footprint of the heritage sites and linking it with google maps to educate/inform and assist the tourists/travellers visiting J&K UT. Convinced with the idea, the Executive Committee suggested working towards the inclusion of local stakeholders and individuals for benefit of the people of J&K UT. Once, with coordinated efforts, these sites are revived to their original positions the livelihood activities of various stakeholders and locals will increase.

Bandipora: The district administration Bandipora today said that the supply line feeding Khuserpora was restored by field staff while the Bakshi mohalla and Muqdam mohalla have been partially restored.

On its twitter handle, District Information Center Bandipora in a tweet said that it was reported that the pipeline feeding from 50,000 gallon overhead water tank of Water supply scheme Vijpara had some blockades due to some concrete remains deteriorated from damaged roof dome from inside of overhead water tank.

“It was a tough job to locate the said concrete blocks in the pipeline but the field staff worked hard today to locate them. Presently, all supply lines feeding various areas have been restored. Today the supply line feeding Khuserpora was restored by field staff. The Bakshi mohalla and Muqdam mohalla have been partially restored,” reads further.

It is pertinent to mention here that the blockades are floating in sub distributions which becomes very difficult to restore as the distribution is beneath the macadamized roads.

Moreover, the construction of a new roof dome for water supply scheme Vijpara has been proposed in retrofitting measures under JJM Programme.

Srinagar: Chief education officer Ganderbal on Friday said that he along with SDM Ganderbal and zonal education officer, Hariganiwan met contingent paid workers (CPWs) who have forcibly locked the schools at various places demanding compensation and jobs in lieu of donated land.

The statement issued by the chief education officer said that during the course of meeting these CPWs were assured that their genuine demands will be fullfiled as per the criteria laid by the government.

The CPWs , statement said, in response showed positive gesture and agreed to the terms and conditions discussed during the meeting.

At least a dozen government schools were locked by the landlord’s in zone Hariganiwan of Ganderbal in last two days. These CPWs , as reported by a section of print media have alleged that the government has neither provided them jobs nor proper compensation as promised to them when they had donated their land for these schools.

Bandipora: The district administration Bandipora today said that it has taken cognizance of the video purportedly showing students of Govt Middle School Branch Bandipora doing manual work  and as such an internal inquiry committee has been constituted to ascertain the actual circumstances of the incident.

However,  as per preliminary findings, the school was conducting the cleanliness of the campus as a part of preparations under “My School My Pride” wherein some students were taking part during games period.

Bandipora: The District administration Bandipora today said the Kaloosa to Gurdal road is being upgraded to 5.5 m carriage way and involves acquisition of additional land for development of Roadway, Carriage way and proper geometrics.

In a statement issued on Twitter, the administration said that the road involves shifting both PHE pipeline and POD electric line. Despite many deliberations, the Roadway hasn’t been achieved at many spots owing to denial of surrender of land by landowners.

“PHE Pipeline stands almost shifted barring certain spots for which we are in touch with the Jal Shakti department. Despite all these hindrances the work on the said road is in progress and will be completed this season.

Similarly, the Malangam to Malangam Gujarbasti road has been macadamized about 4km last year and is planning to Macadamize the remaining length this year and the department has initiated the necessary measures in this regard.