Srinagar Smart City Project: KCCI and PHDCCI provide inputs at SSCAF meet

Srinagar, Feb 2: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) and Kashmir chapter of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kashmir Chapter today attended a Virtual Meeting of the Srinagar Smart City Advisory Forum (SSCAF) and shared their views about the infrastructure development needs of the city to improve its overall amenities and facilitate greater economic activities.

The meeting was held today under the Chairmanship of Municipal Commissioner and CEO Smart City  Athar Khan (IAS). The meeting was also attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole (IAS), Mayor of Srinagar City  Junaid Azim Mattu along with  Muzaffar Shah (IPS) SP Traffic Srinagar, Dr G N Itoo (KAS) Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr Basheer Ahmad (IRS) VC- JKLCMA,  Basheer Ahmad Lone (KAS) VC SDA, Rafiq Ahmad, Chief Engineer PWD-R&B-Kashmir,  Ajaz Ahamd Dar, Chief Engineer KPDCL, PHDCCI Chair Kashmir, Baldev Singh Raina,  Sheikh Ashiq, Presdient KCCI and Deputy Director PHDCCI  Iqbal Fayaz Jan, and other key officials of Smart City Project.

The meeting discussed various works that are to be executed under Smart City Project and in this regard a detailed presentation was given by CEO Smart City Athar Khan in which he explained the Sectors and Subsectors of the Project with timelines.

Baldev Singh, while giving his remarks thanked the CEO for nomination of PHDCCI in the Advisory Forum and various suggestion were put forward for beautification and decongestion of the City that includes the development of vertical gardens on flyover pillars, identification of heritage houses in whole city and it was told that this is a good news for the people of Srinagar that, under the overall guidance and direction of Divisional Commissioner and Mayor and CEO , various important projects for the development of Srinagar Smart City has started and it will be completed in the timeline manner and after watching the dedication and coordination of all departments for the first time we are very optimistic that Srinagar city will achieve the parameters under Smart City Project set for Social Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, Institutional Infrastructure and Economic Infrastructure. The PHDCCI was overwhelmed after observing the projects that are being lined up and are at various stages of tendering like Ring Road, Metro Project, Road Signage, Jhelum Cruise Services, establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for public services delivery at HMT, Emergency Operations Centre including city-wide CCTV surveillance system, Smart Power Metering, Smart Water metering, pedestrian pathways and lighting along Dal Lake and Jhelum, parking spaces, beautification.

Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, President,  Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry, while speaking on the subject said that from the last two to three years the pace of project work was slow due to Covid-19 and other restrictions but from the last five months the administration is now  making all efforts for the smart city  projects to be grounded successfully, which is appreciable.

Mr Ashiq, while deliberating on the occasion, suggested that more focus should be on the Smart  Roads, Mobility & transport, Smart parking  meters, Smart Grid stations, Sanitization, waste water management and solid waste, Street lighting, Public information system, Public safety engagement and security, Public communication  etc.

During the discussions every head of Department gave their  valuable suggestions  regarding the smart city projects. KCCI President stressed on  having  better co-ordination  among the various line departments so the smart city projects  work is executed seamlessly.

KCCI President urged the administration that the Smart City Projects should be concluded within five years.