CS for major facelift to Jammu City before Gandhi Jayanti

Jammu, Aug 23: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Wednesday said the face of Jammu City should undergo a substantial change by October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) this year. He emphasised on completion of the maximum number of possible ongoing projects by then.
These projects would give a massive facelift to the city and would help it emerge as a major tourist destination in the country, the Chief Secretary said while chairing a meeting of officers to take stock of different works taken up under Smart City projects which are meant to add to the aesthetic appeal of the city.
The meeting was attended by ACS, Jal Shakti; Principal Secretary, PWD; Principal Secretary, H&UDD; Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Secretary Tourism; Commissioner JMC, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society beside others.
Dr Mehta reviewed the pace on different projects taken up under the Smart City Mission. He took stock of the progress of work and simultaneously passed on several directions for early completion of each of them.
Regarding the Mubarak Mandi, the Chief Secretary enjoined the officers to throw open the completed portions of the heritage buildings to the public. He asked them to start the cultural and other folk activities in the complex depicting the rich history and traditions of Jammu.
The Chief Secretary asked them to dedicate more restored structures to the public and enhance the overall aura of the complex by the landscaping of the complex. He also asked to complete the rest of the work by December this year. He took note of other projects like the development of intersections, Apsara Road Gandhi Nagar, use of ITMS for regulating traffic, illumination of bridges and buildings, development of roads and other infrastructure besides works in and around the city. He recalled that dozens of projects were completed in the past couple of years which along with the progressing ones are going to make Jammu one of the best places in the country.
The Chief Secretary was informed that out of the total of 124 Smart City works, 80 stands completed by now. It was further informed that the work on the rest of these projects is going on at a satisfactory pace and is going to be completed within the deadlines set for them.
Earlier in the morning, the Chief Secretary visited the Tawi banks to take on a spot assessment of the prestigious Tawi Barrage project. He directed for increasing pace of work on this project and a target for the pondage of the lake before November this year. He emphasised on completing other allied projects of beautification simultaneously to make it a go-to place for the visitors coming here. He also took an e-cycle ride on the newly developed cycle track on the banks of the river and called it a good addition to the city infrastructure. He observed that besides providing a leisurely experience in an eco-friendly atmosphere it would give an opportunity to improve on health of the riders as well.