Srinagar: Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta on Monday said that Srinagar Plaza, modeled after Jammu’s Town Square Mall, will come up in the city soon and that the people would be able to experience a vibrant nightlife with shops open till midnight at city center Lal Chowk.
Speaking at the inaugural function of newly renovated iconic Ghanta Ghar this evening, Mehta said the area will soon have access to public transport, and that live music performances and concerts every evening will enhance the grandeur of the historic market place.
The Chief Secretary congratulated the residents of Srinagar on the completion of what he called one of the key elements of Srinagar Smart City Ltd, saying, “what’s the fun if the shops at Lal Chowk don’t remain open until midnight?”
“I congratulate everyone for this project and hope everyone will benefit from Lal Chowk; we were waiting for this evening to come for months altogether. Besides Srinagar Plaza, modeled after Town Square Mall, administration will ensure public transport is made available in the vicinity,” he said, adding “I wish shops remain open here till midnight”.
Besides SMC, the police department too has a contribution in developing Srinagar as a Smart City, Mehta said, adding there were no flyovers in Srinagar till 2019 but everything has changed now.
“Srinagar has emerged as a lively city after hosting the G20 meeting and it’s a beginning. There should be music concerts at Lal Chowk every evening. With Jhelum riverfront and Lal Chowk in place, Srinagar should be among one of the beautiful cities of the world,” said the Chief Secretary.
Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Home, RK Goyal said no restrictions are in place on this Independence Day anywhere in Kashmir while internet services function normally.
“There would be curfew-like situation in Kashmir on Independence Day in the past, internet services remained blocked, but today it’s normal here with the support of the people and efforts of administration,” Goyal added.
