District Development Commissioner (DDC) Ramban Showkat Aijaz Bhat today convened a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the draft Master Plan for holistic development of Banihal town.The meeting was attended by SSP Ramban Anita Sharma, ADC Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chief Town Planner Jammu Iftkhar Ahmed, CPO Uttam Singh, Town Planner Jammu Rajeev Abrol, XENs of PHE and PWD, Town Planning consultants and district officers.The Consultants of Spatial Decision, New Delhi gave a power point presentation on the draft master plan for Banihal town which was prepared after considering detailed survey of the existing infrastructure, road networks, business establishments, geographical attributes, demographic set up, tourist sites, forest cover, condition of the land and ongoing development activities in the town and adjoining areas.Speaking on the occasion DDC directed the consultants to formulate master plan as per aspirations of residents of Banihal especially youth and also creating employment opportunities besides keeping in view topography of the local planning area and proposed Land Use Plan areas including Bankoot, Chareel, Deogoel, Gund Adalkote, Karawa, Kaskoot, Nagam and Zanihal to be planned in light of construction of four lane project.
The draft plan includes overall socio-economic development of area, exploration and preservation of tourist places, focusing water bodies to put restriction on illegal construction and encroachments.The main focus has also been laid on de-congesting interior roads, strengthening parking facilities, shifting of main bus stand, widening of existing roads, constructing planned roads, improving medical facilities, transportation facilities, recreational avenues, solid waste management, creation of sewage treatment plant, eco friendly and forest based Industrial growth and Junction improvements.DDC sought suggestions from all stakeholders and stressed on their active partaking in finalizing the proposed draft for holistic sustainable development of Banihal town. He assured that detailed deliberations shall be done on other aspects before finalizing the draft.