Show urgency in completion of Srinagar Master Plan: Nirmal Singh

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government has called for early completion of the Srinagar Master Plan-2035, asserting that it would address all developmental needs of the summer capital and cater to every section of the society.

We should show urgency for completion of the whole process involved in finalization of the (Srinagar) master plan and complete it within shortest possible time for its submission to the cabinet for accord of approval, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has said.

He was speaking at a meeting convened last evening to review the status of the Draft Master Plan Srinagar-2035 and to discuss suggestions and objections put forth by different quarters in this regard, an official spokesman said. The deputy chief minister passed directions to the financial commissioner, housing and urban development department for early finalization of objections and suggestions within two weeks.

During the meeting, discussions were held to ensure balance between rapid urbanization and the requirements for sound implementation of master plan proposals, land use thereof and rapid unhindered and unfeasible growth of residential, commercial and institutional activities, the spokesman said.

He said the meeting expressed reservations for shifting of a few establishments of heritage character as envisaged in the Draft Master Plan-2035. It was also discussed that for sound implementation of master plan proposals, areas notified under J&K Development Act, 1970 shall supersede all other acts, in particular J&K Agrarian Reforms and Revenue Act.

Accordingly necessary modification to J&K Development Act, 1970 should be proposed to the Cabinet which shall have mention in the master plan proposals also, the spokesman said. He said adequate steps are required to be taken for safety of city dwellers from floods especially of the kind witnessed in 2014.

Accordingly stress was laid on the construction of a supplementary flood channel from Dogripora in south to Wullar Lake in north Kashmir for which necessary directions were issued to Irrigation and Flood Control department for early submission of the Detailed Project Reports, the spokesman said.