Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today directed the officers to ensure sustained and need-based development of the State including twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar besides preparing comprehensive plan for their futuristic development so that they come up as model cities of the country.The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing officers during Board meetings of Jammu, Srinagar Development Authorities and Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board.Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, Mr. B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Bipul Pathak, Commissioner Secretary Finance, Mr. Naveen Choudhary, Divisional Commissioners Jammu/Kashmir, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Dr. Asgar Samoon, Commissioner Secretary, R&B, Mr. Rohit Kansal, Vice Chairmen of Srinagar/Jammu Development Authorities, Mr. Sarmad Hafiz, Mubarak Singh, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board, Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Commissioner Jammu Municipality, Mr. Soujanya Sharma, DC Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmed Lone, Chief Town Planner, Mr. Iftikar Hakim and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Dr. Singh asked the officers to come up with a comprehensive policy and plan aimed at accelerating pace of development of the cities and also for the creation of sustainable housing infrastructure for the growing population of the State. “The thrust should be on planned development of the State and also providing much needed housing facilities and other related facilities to the people. The agencies should work in a close coordination so that the need-based development of the State is ensured which should be according to the parameters guiding the unique topographic environment and other related things”, he added.
Referring to the new draft Master Plans of the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the officers to come up with a comprehensive document which should be dynamic addressing all the concerns of the people. “The recent catastrophic floods, environmental concerns and other related things should also be kept in mind while making the new master plans of the two cities so that the necessary mechanism can be put in place to address these”, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the officers to come up with a comprehensive housing policy by which the concern of the all income groups of the state can be addressed. He said that these should be made while addressing all the major concerns like natural disasters and must be having all the required facilities.Dr. Singh also asked the officers to prepare a comprehensive Policy about the building norms to be adopted as the State is prone to floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. He said that the services of the professionals related with the field should also be utilized while framing the same.