Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that double standards won’t do and that a terrorist is to be called a terrorist come what may, if intention is to ensure that peace continues to prevail in Kashmir.
Addressing a gathering at Zainakot, HMT area in the city outskirts after inaugurating a series of projects, the LG said that terrorism ruined J&K in the past but thankfully it is now becoming history.
The people who despite knowing that terrorism, violence and separatism destroyed Kashmir’s economy, still don’t call a terrorist, a terrorist. They indulge in double tongue and they are the ones who created an atmosphere of terror in J&K, LG Sinha said.
“Double standards won’t do. A terrorist is to be called a terrorist, come what may,” LG said.
He said that terrorism had created a parallel economy where a few where getting benefited at the cost of the life and limb of common people.
“This has ended now. Face the reality. Do away with double standards. Call a spade a spade,” he said.
He said the peace has started to become a permanent feature in J&K after a long gap. “For the first time, 1.27 crore tourists have visited J&K in the first seven months of 2023. The figure is set to cross 2.25 Crore by the year end,” said LG, adding, gradually tourism infrastructure is being upgraded everywhere in the UT to provide best facilities to the guests.
He said that J&K was deprived of proper Panchayat raj system for decades together. “The system was set up for the first time in J&K to ensure governance at the grassroots level. I believe time has come when we should have Panchayat polls so that people reap the benefits of governance at their door steps,” he said.
The LG said that Srinagar is witnessing a major revamp and is set to become a major example of development shortly.
“Some people who can’t digest the development of the city are even making non-issues an issue. Recently, heavy rainfall triggered some water logging and this was highlighted on social media. Roads were made in a way in Srinagar which always resulted in waterlogging during rainfall. It will take some time to address the issue as Srinagar is set to emerge as a model city,” he said.
On the occasion, LG e-inaugurated various projects of Srinagar Smart City from Integrated Command and Control Centre, Shalteng.
He said the projects dedicated to the people today will strengthen core urban infrastructure, integrate technological tools for clean and sustainable environment and IT-based solutions to address the challenges to ensure quality of life to the citizens.
“The core of all the smart city projects is to enhance city’s liveability and to ensure that the development is sustainable and inclusive,” LG said.
Real-time Water Quality Monitoring System for River Jhelum and Dal lake; Real-time Noise Monitoring stations and systems for Srinagar City; integrated solid waste management and door to door collection monitoring system will improve smart city management, he added.
He said, the new technology and digital transition is aimed to create a smart grid system in Srinagar to tackle the challenges of climate change, connect all infrastructure and to provide innovative solutions for better coordination between services.
Technology-powered My Srinagar Portal and App, initiatives such as “SMC Srinagar new Web Portal”, “My City My Ideas” will improve the quality of services and it will also strengthen the contact between citizens and the city administration, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor commended the efforts of the Municipal Corporations, Srinagar Smart City Limited and line departments for making the life of common citizens’ better and providing quality services for ease of living.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also inaugurated Srinagar Data Network (SD-Net), the 175 Km underground City’s Fibre Optic Intra-Net under Srinagar Smart City. The Data Network project will make Srinagar a connected city, foster smart governance for the well-being of residents.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC said the inauguration of various initiatives of Srinagar Smart City today is another milestone towards developing Srinagar as a vibrant and sustainable city.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary impressed on Srinagar Smart City Ltd and all stakeholder departments to move ahead with a resolution to make Srinagar a more happening and modern city and chalk out modalities for a self-sustaining model of governance.
Athar Amir Khan, Commissioner SMC and CEO Srinagar Smart City gave a detailed overview of the key features of projects inaugurated today.
The Lt Governor also visited the network operations centre of the Integrated Command & Control Centre and took appraisal of the working of the centre.
