SRINAGAR, AUGUST 19: (KNS) Having been held up or slowed down due to COVID-19 pandemic several important works approved and started under the Smart City are being resumed in Srinagar.

This was informed in a meeting convened here Wednesday under chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer Srinagar Smart City Limited or SSCL Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

These important works are being fast-paced to make up for the lost time and for their earliest possible execution at their different levels.

During the meeting an extensive review of the status of these works were held. Issues hampering then or slowing their pace of execution were also discussed and noted for their redressal.

Concerned line departments were all present in the meeting with each concerned officer giving a detailed brief about their respective works as approved and started under the mega project.

Extensive discussions were also held on areas where intervention is required to improve service deliveries. The CEO directed for preparing and submitting DPRs for new projects which will address and fill some of these gaps.

Speaking during the meeting Dr Shahid said a main focus of works and efforts initiated under the Smart City project in Srinagar improving services through introduction of smart solutions and interventions.

He said the ongoing digitisation of land records and establishment of model revenue offices in the city is an instance of this adding that once completed the delivery of service will see a substantial ease at both ends of service.

It is notable that several other ongoing projects and works are aimed at providing smart to existing problems for the convenience of residents as envisaged under the Smart City project. These include among others establishment of smart hospitals and smart vending zones as well as variable message screens offering real-time information about different routine things of public importance.

Concerned departments were all instructed to speed up the process of execution of their respective work tasks. The Public Works Department was directed to pace up the ongoing signage and street furniture project being asked to expand it through the entire city.

Senior officers including SEs and ExEns of all concerned departments attended the meeting. Joint Director Planning Srinagar and SSCL engineers concerned and officials were also present.(KNS)