To discuss the issues regarding conversion of residential land for commercial purposes in violation of the Master plans Srinagar and Jammu, a meeting of the House Committee of Legislative Council was held here this afternoon.Member Legislative Council Devender Singh Rana, who is chairman of the panel, presided over the meeting. MLCs Sayed Nayem Akhtar Andrabi, Mr. Jugal Kishore and Mr. Mohammed Ashraf Mir were among others present in the meeting.
The meeting discussed in threadbare various facets of urban development with special emphasis on the master-plan for Srinagar and Jammu.The Committee emphasized the need for strict implementation of the master plan norms against conversion of residential areas for commercial activities in the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, saying the violators should be sternly dealt with. It also observed that the menace of converting housing units into commercial spaces by violating building by-laws has unfortunately received momentum over the years thus posing threat to urban living.
“The menace is to be checked if we want futuristic development of the two cities which have strategic importance in view of the high influx of tourists”, the participants said while urging the law enforcing agencies to draw a pragmatic strategy to deal with the offenders. They said the responsibility is to be fixed for these violations. While there is no room for blame game or digging out the skeletons, yet there is need for creating some sort of deterrence to discourage this tendency, the committee maintained.
Referring to the formulation of master plans for the twin cities, the Committee called for futuristic planning, keeping in view the faster growth and expansion of the cities, especially in the wake of inflow of rural people for greener pastures. While devising such plans, the aesthetic grandeur of the historic cities should be kept under consideration. The master plans, the committee felt, should have components earmarked for the shopping complexes, utility services, hotels, cafeteria, parking slots and recreation spots.“We have to keep the requirements of coming 20 to 30 years into consideration while formulating master plans”, they added.The Committee also dwelt on the issue of unauthorized colonies in the two cities and sought information on the mechanism being adopted to regularize these in order to provide civic amenities and creating various facilities for the residents.
The participants stressed the need for time bound implementation of various urban development programmes in order to alleviate the quality of life of the residents.The members expressed concern over unauthorized structures coming up in the cities and violations being committed by ignoring the building plans. The said that the watch and ward wings of the civic bodies should be made accountable for unauthorized buildings and extension in the existing dwelling units.The meeting was also attended by Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Satish Nehru, Directors of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir and Jammu, Mr. Hilal Parray, Mr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Vice chairmen of Srinagar and Jammu Development Authorities, Mr. Shafat Noor Barlas, Mr. K.L.Khajuria, Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar Municipalities, Mr. Kiran Wattal, Dr. G.N.Qasba, Managing Director J&K Housing Board, Mr. Ram Pal and Chief Town planners of Srinagar and Jammu, Mr. Iftiqar Hakim and Joginder Singh.