Minister for Urban Development& Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora Monday announced that work on the maiden integrated Vertical Housing Colony in Srinagar would begin within next two months.The Minister was speaking at a function organised in connection with the formal allotment of residential flats at Gulposh Apartments, near J&K Bank Bemina being constructed by Srinagar Development Authority (SDA). Allotment of 60 flats at Gulposh Apartments was made through draw of lots in presence of the Minister for which SDA had received 85 applications. The Minister on the spot issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to the successful applicants to ensure utmost transparency in allotments. Jora said as already envisaged around 400 more residential flats are being constructed by SDA at Bemina under Shehjar Apartments project for which country’s premier financial institution HUDCO has been co-opted as architectural consultant. He said SDA would also be availing financing for the ambitious project from HUDCO.
The Minister said that HUDCO has already submitted to SDA preliminary drawings of Shehjar Apartments, and they have been asked to make some modifications in the same so that the vertical colony comes up as per the traditional Kashmiri architecture and in tune with the weather conditions of the Valley.Giving a resume of Shehjar Apartments project, the Minister said that besides constructing around 400, two bedroom and three bedroom residential flats, the Vertical Housing Colony, spread over around 100 kanals of land, shall also be provided with 40 ft wide main road and 30 ft wide internal roads transecting various apartment blocks. The Vertical Colony would be provided with adequate underground and surface parking facility, parks, community hall, children’s play area, tennis court, amphitheatre, health club, community market, food court and other amenities for the residents.He said as Project Consultants, HUDCO would be responsible for architecture and designing of the buildings, site development, structural design, electrical, sanitation, plumbing, drainage, water supply and sewerage design, energy management/communication system, fire detection, fire protection and security systems for the Shehjar Apartments.
Regarding other major projects of SDA, Mr Jora said the process for taking over possession of around 4200 kanals of land at Rakh-e-Gund Akshah, already transferred to SDA, would also be speeded up for the development of a satellite township in the area to cope up with the mounting demand for residential houses and apartments in SrinagarHe said the process for acquisition of around 1500 kanals of land for the development of Integrated Business Centre at Railhead Nowgam is also being fast-tracked to decongest the Srinagar city in tune with the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission.Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chairman SDA, Mr Shafaat Noor Barlas said that given the demand for apartment-type housing and in view of the escalating land costs, SDA has decided to take the lead in promoting the concept of vertical housing in Srinagar so that minimum land resources are utilized for residential purposes.
He said SDA should take the lead in promoting the culture of vertical Housing Colonies in the city and accordingly the provision should be kept for going up to 70 ft vertical instead of the existing 55 ft. He said the norms for high-rises in Srinagar city are being revised in the new Master Plan. He, however, said that it is being ensured that the structures are earthquake resistant and have the provision for Sewerage Treatment and Solar Energy.Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Vice-Chairman Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), Chief Town Planner Kashmir, Director Land Management SDA and other senior officers of various wings of the Housing & Urban Development Department were present on the occasion.