Div Com takes stock of status of Kala Kendra; exhorts Academy of Art, Culture, Languages for optimal utilisation of asset.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer today conducted an extensive tour of Jammu city and inspected various projects taken up and upcoming under the Jammu Smart City Project.
Divisional Commissioner visited Bahu fort and inspected the progress on various ongoing works under beautification of Bahu Fort complex.
The Div Com alongwith concerned officers took a round of the entire track, complex and inspected the ongoing works besides works required to be taken up. The Div Com directed the VC JDA to construct a toilet complex.
The VC JDA Jammu briefed the Div Com about the works completed so far, ongoing works and future planning. The major works taken up include construction of Entry Gate, Re design of Rehri Zone, platform, langer sheds, food stalls, parking, fountains, green spaces etc.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the executing agencies to expedite the pace of works for timely completion of all the works being executed. He also instructed them to ensure quality of work.
He also advised the officers for drawing wall paintings to give the place a heritage look, installation of signages, view cutters, welcome screens, besides attractive landscaping,.
Meanwhile, the Div Com visited Kala Kendra to identify the suitable land patch for construction of the Archives Department.
The Div Com alongwith officers took a round of the vacant land around the Kala Kendra and a vacant land of approx 4 Kanal on the backside of the Kala Kendra was selected for construction of archives building.
The Div Com directed the SE PWD, Project consultant (JSCL) to prepare a detailed project report for the same and make the design similar to the Kala Kendra building.
Pertinently, presently some of the archives documents are kept in Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and it was decided in the Board of Directors meeting of Jammu Smart City limited that to vacate the Mubarak Mandi Halls a building for storage (depositary) purposes will be constructed under the Smart City.
It was further informed that the archives department has also undertaken the work of digitization of the archives record and 70 percent work has been completed. The Div Com directed the JSCL to complete the remaining work of scanning and digitization under smart city which would provide coming generations an easy access to the archives.
During the visit, the Div Com took a round of exhibition halls, archives sections and other blocks of the complex. He directed the Additional Secretary culture Academy for proper maintenance of the Kala Kendra. He directed him to make estimates of the works required like landscaping, repair and renovation works etc.
Dr Langer also stressed on optimal utilization of the asset by holding handicrafts, handloom and photo exhibitions regularly.
Later, the Divisional Commissioner visited the Tawi River Front site to assess the land acquisition required for the execution of work on the Tawi River Front project.
He directed the Tehsildar south and JSCL officials to mark the structures coming in the project.
Pertinently, no major land acquisition is required for the project while the structures coming in the alignment are that of the government which include toilet complex, transformer, MED building etc.
During the visit the Div com was accompanied by VC Jammu Development Authority, ADC Jammu, Additional CEO JSCL, Project consultants JSCL, SE PWD, Tehsildar South and other concerned officers.
