DDC Budgam conducts extensive tour of Charar-i-Sharief area

• Inspects ongoing developmental works, holds public darbar

BUDGAM: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, conducted an extensive tour of Charar-i-Sharief area today to assess ongoing developmental works, interact with local stakeholders, and redress public grievances through a detailed public darbar held at Townhall Charar-i-Sharief.

The tour began with a visit to the revered Charar-i-Sharief Shrine, where the DC inspected multiple works underway as part of a major heritage conservation and infrastructure augmentation project. These include the canopy path from the main entrance to the shrine, development of access pathways, Debri path surrounding the shrine, additional lavatory blocks, and the beautification of the historic Bada Talab, including fencing around the water body.

He also reviewed the upgradation of the shrine façade and ongoing planning for a new Clock Tower in the Charar-i-Sharief area, scheduled to commence soon. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bilal said, “These interventions aim to preserve the spiritual and cultural essence of Charar-i-Sharief while providing better amenities to pilgrims and visitors.”

DC later visited the Government Degree College Charar-i-Sharief, where he inspected the under-construction 8-room Academic Block, reviewed the progress of infrastructure works, and also assessed the adjoining sports field being developed at the college. He stressed upon the authorities to ensure timely completion of academic infrastructure and called for proper maintenance of playfields to facilitate regular sports activities at the sub-division level.

He further inspected the car parking facility and the Filtration Plant at Zaloosa to assess public utility readiness and water quality management. DC also visited Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Charar-i-Sharief, where he took stock of the availability of essential drugs and inspected key wards including gynecology, obstetrics, and post-operative units. He directed hospital authorities to publicly display the list of free medicines on a dedicated notice board and instructed that TSH testing of newborns be started immediately to strengthen early child healthcare.

Later, the DC chaired at Public Darbar at Town Hall Charar-i-Sharief and met various delegations including Traders Association Charar-i-Sharief, Fruit Growers Association, Mutawalli Shrine Committee, Youth Forum Charar-i-Sharief, Syed Ali Committee Pakherpora, residents from Hafroo and adjoining areas. These delegations presented a series of demands and developmental issues concerning the region.

Key demands included declaration of Charar-i-Sharief as a Model Town as promised in 1987, Charar-i-Sharief to be declared as Kandi district, creation of dedicated parking space near the shrine and Pakherpora, filling of staff vacancies at SDH—including specialists like dermatologist, ENT, physician, orthopedic and ultrasound expert, Introduction of job-oriented streams like BCA, Commerce in the local Degree College, Macadamisation of key roads including Tilsara and Ropwan-Charar-i-Sharief stretches and establishment of ARTO sub-office.

 They also demanded a separate Food department office in the area, Improvement in potable water quality and making the Mono Talab filtration plant functional, Irrigation network for fruit-growing areas of Charar-i-Sharief and Pakherpora, safety audit of Khankah-e-Moula to be undertaken, street lighting and mobile/ATM access in the tourist hotspot of Yousmarg, restoration of damaged JJM schemes in Shankerpora Batmohallah, development of a modern sports field in Charar-i-Sharief with turf covers, mechanical rollers, and seating arrangements.

Responding patiently and empathetically, DC assured the public that all genuine demands would be properly documented and taken up with the concerned departments for early redressal. He emphasized that development must be people-centric and participatory, and acknowledged the unique needs of the Charar-i-Sharief region, especially in terms of heritage preservation, youth engagement, and public service delivery.

DC encouraged the community to remain engaged through public participation and ensure that public assets are preserved and utilized effectively for collective progress. He said that the district administration is committed towards ensuring completion of developmental projects of the area in a time bound manner. He said all suggestions of people which are duly recorded shall be strictly pursued for taking them to the logical end.

Besides, ADC Budgam, JD Planning Budgam, SDM Chadoora, Principal GDC Charar-i-Sharief, District Youth Services & Sports Officer Budgam, Executive Engineer, PHE Division, Chadoora, Executive Engineer, R&B Division, Chrar-i-sharief, Tehsildar Chrar-i-sharief, Block Dev. Officer Charisharief, Executive Officer, MC-Charisharief and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.