Srinagar, Nov 23: Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Lal Chowk, Ahsan Pardesi, has outlined his priorities for addressing critical issues affecting the city center.
In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, Pardesi reaffirmed his commitment to resolving longstanding concerns in his constituency, many of which have remained unaddressed by previous administrations.
One of the pressing issues he plans to tackle is the ongoing challenge of stone quarrying at Atwajan-Khanmoh. Pardesi criticized the ban imposed on quarrying in 2016 by the PDP government, which he said was implemented without a proper rehabilitation policy. “I will ensure that this issue is settled once and for all,” he stated, pledging a comprehensive resolution for the affected residents.
Addressing the region’s healthcare challenges, Pardesi announced plans to upgrade Khanmoh Hospital to a Community Health Centre. “People in this area are struggling with inadequate medical facilities. Upgrading the hospital will provide better access to healthcare,” he said.
Pardesi also acknowledged the water scarcity issue in the SD Colony of Batmaloo and emphasized that resolving it remains one of his top priorities. Similarly, he highlighted ongoing drainage problems in the Lal Chowk area, including BB Cant and other neighborhoods. “Drainage issues have plagued these areas for years, and I will ensure they are resolved in the coming years with permanent solutions,” he assured.
Turning his focus to the healthcare sector, Pardesi expressed concern over the decline in facilities at GB Pant Hospital, which has traditionally served infants’ healthcare needs. “Parents are now forced to take their babies to Bemina Hospital even for minor issues, which is time-consuming. My plan is to transform GB Pant Hospital into a sub-district hospital with OPD and surgical facilities,” he explained.
Pardesi also raised the unique situation of Padshahi Bagh, which lies outside the jurisdiction of both the Srinagar Municipal Committee and the local block. “The residents only cast their votes in the assembly elections but lack representation for development. I have taken up this issue with the administration and hope it will be resolved soon,” he said, advocating for the area’s inclusion in the Municipal Committee or local block development authority.
In addition to these key issues, Pardesi reiterated his commitment to prioritizing education, road development, and healthcare upgrades across the constituency. “I am committed to the holistic development of Lal Chowk. I will always remain available to the people to address their grievances,” he concluded.
