Dear Editor,
This is in reference to the cover story SANGARMAAL: City’s New Landmark in GK Plus, 6th June 2010, by Arif Shafi Wani.
To recall the memory of the past and to put the records straight, it was in the 63rd Board meeting held at SKICC on 16th October 1999, that the taking over of the possession of SRTC land at MA Road Srinagar by the SDA was Okayed.
National level competition for two prestigious sites, one vacated by the SRTC at MA Road, Srinagar and other under the occupation of State Motor Garages was held pursuant to the advertisement issued earlier. In respect of SRTC Complex 20 entries were received from the reputed Architects/consultants and 13 entries were received for State Motor Garage site.
The Committee of Experts was constituted to assess the entries. The committee assessed the entries received for the complexes which were depicted in SKICC on 18th May 1999 and the selected three best entries. The entries of the following firms were adjudged as best entries/concept designs for the site shown against each,

1. SRTC, M.A. Road, 1st. prize. Sharat Dass and Associates Pvt.Ltd. 1/37 Vein Sheik New Delhi  -Rs.200,000.00
2nd prize Iftikhar Mali chesti, Laj pat Nagar 1, New Delhi, Rs. 100,000.00
3rd prize, Amin Nayar Associates 259-A Jamnagar New Delhi     Rs.50,000.00

2. STATE MOTOR GARAGES.
1st. prize. Onuba Kakroo A-13 PAMPOSSH enclave Greater  Kailash New Delhi Rs. 200,000.00
2nd prize. Dewal Kumar-Rajwanshi Rs. 100,000.00
Arch.v-65, Hauzkhas.New Delhi
3rd prize. Iftikhar Mulik Chasti. Lajpath Nagar1 Rs 50,000, New Delhi 
The first prize winners were accordingly called for discussions with Hon’ble Minister for H&UD Dept. and other members. Certain changes were  suggested in the concept plans, which were agreed to by the consultants who were advised to submit the revised drawings along with block models, estimates etc. for finalization of the agreement with the consultants.
The best three concept plans for each site were asked to be displayed during the meeting. The SDA Board formally approved  the best entries  selected by the jury and approved the best plan for each complex for execution.
The work has been completed in a record time of about nine years and we shall not be doing justice if we do not mention the names of the officers, officials, skilled workers and laborers, whose sweat went into the fulfilling this dream. SDA can provide the names of the staff that have made this dream come true in a record time and in fact the names of all the staff involved one way or the other need to be inscribed on the marble stone to be installed along side this historic shopping mall. If a story writer or a poet is honored for his creative work why should we ignore the hard mental, physical, emotional inputs of engineers.

- Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili
Chief Engineer PWD J&K Govt. (Retd.)
Ex. Hon. Secretary Institution Of Engineers (India), J&K State Centre Srinagar 19001
Email: mfazili7@gmail.com