IAS officer Prem Ranjan Singh, who has recently been posted in Sant Kabir Nagar as DM, plans to turn it into a satellite town, and for this, he has made a blueprint for tourism and industrial development. Mr. Singh, who was earlier posted as Vice Chairman of Gorakhpur Development Authority, is now planning to develop Sant Kabir Nagar along the lines of Gorakhpur, and accordingly, he has started beautification work on ancient sites to make them tourism hotspots. Work has already begun on the old Bakhira lake to beautify it and turn it into a tourist attraction like Gorakhpur’s beautiful Ramgarh Tal.
BAKHIRA LAKE
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Prem Ranjan Singh said that to promote tourism development in the city, he is putting more focus on Bakhira Lake and Kabir Sthali. He is strategizing to provide facilities to attract tourists here by broadening the places. There will be facilities of hotels, restaurants etc. for tourists, and lighting systems will be strengthened. Preparations are also underway to provide resources for people to enjoy in the Aami River.
“The road which goes from Sahajanwan to Ghaghsara will be made to go straight to the lake by the same route. Pathways will be built around the Jhol. In between, there is a plan to set up a visitor’s gallery, nature tail, and mangrove plantation. Locations will be marked for photography with boating facility,” he said.
The district administration is also in talks with the authorities of Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA). After Kasarwal of Gorakhpur, the boundary of the district starts from Maghar bridge. In such a situation, it is expected that the GIDA will also enter Sant Kabir Nagar district, which will increase employment opportunities. On the other hand, the district administration is trying to promote industrial development by giving land use in the masterplan through Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA).
“A plan is being prepared to develop the district on the lines of Gorakhpur model. Bakhira lake will be developed along with the industrial development in Sant Kabir Nagar,” Mr. Singh said.
HISTORIC POKHARA
There is an atmosphere of happiness among the people around the historic Pokhara (lake) located in the Samay Mata Mandir complex because of the commencement of cleanliness work. Dirty water falling from the drains is being stopped, and a walkway and boundary wall will be built around it.
“Historically, the work of beautification of Pokhara located in the Samay Mata Mandir complex has started and is being cleaned now. The campus will be made green and beautification work will also be done. Along with this, a wide pedestrian path will be made all around. It will become a picnic spot for the people of the city,” Mr. Singh informed.
The administration has also urged the people to remove encroachments from the Pokhara land and has said that if these are not removed, then it will be done by force.