Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 4

The government has constituted a high-level technical committee to carry out a third-party inspection of the Light and Sound Show System installed at the historic Hari Parbat Fort in Srinagar, according to an official order.

The committee has been tasked with assessing the project’s technical compliance, quality and operational readiness before its full-scale utilisation.

As per the order issued by General Administration Department (GAD) Commissioner Secretary M Raju, the panel will be headed by the Chief Engineer of the Public Works (R&B) Department, Central Kashmir.

Its members include the Executive Engineer of Electric Division-IV Hawal from the Power Development Department, the Executive Engineer (Mechanical) in the office of the Chief Engineer, PW(R&B) Central Kashmir, and a representative of the Information Technology Department to be nominated by the Administrative Secretary.

The committee has been directed to conduct a detailed physical inspection of all components installed at the site and to verify the functionality and quality of audio-visual systems, including acoustic and sound engineering aspects, as well as electrical systems, lighting installations, and related infrastructure.

The panel will also assess whether the project conforms to approved technical specifications and designs and evaluate its overall quality, safety standards and operational preparedness. It has been asked to submit a comprehensive report with its findings and recommendations.

In a separate order, the government reconstituted the Tree Authorities for the Municipal Corporations of Srinagar and Jammu under provisions of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, replacing an earlier order issued in 2020.

Under the revised arrangement, the Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation will head the Tree Authority for Srinagar. At the same time, the Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation will chair the corresponding body in Jammu.

Other members will include the respective Joint Commissioners (Administration), Secretaries of the municipal corporations, Divisional Forest Officers (Urban Forestry) and District Horticulture Officers.

The authorities have been tasked with ensuring the preservation of trees within their jurisdictions, prescribing standards for the number and type of trees in different localities and assisting public and private institutions in tree plantation and conservation efforts.

The order also designated the Divisional Forest Officers (Urban Forestry) of Srinagar and Jammu as Tree Officers under the Act.