Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 27: The Government has decided to regularize unauthorized colonies and constructions in Jammu and Kashmir till December 2016 and release Jammu Master Plan 2032 by March 2017 after approval by the State Cabinet. A bill in this regard has been drafted by Housing and Urban Development Ministry and is being submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Housing and Urban Development Depart-ment of the Government proposed to regularize all unauthorized colonies and constructions up to December 2016 through an amendment in the Act, which was likely to be introduced in the Legislature during ongoing budget session after approval by the Cabinet.
“The Department proposed to demolish all unauthorized constructions raised after December 2016,” sources said.
They added that Jammu Master Plan 2032 has also been finalized by the Housing and Urban Development Department after putting it in public domain, receiving suggestions and objections and duly incorporating them in the New Plan.
The Master Plan now would be published in March this year.
“Jammu has a planning legacy which dated back to early 1970s when the first Master Plan was prepared in 1974. It was remodeled to meet changing needs and aspirations of City Planning in 1994. Due to large migration from the Kashmir valley in 1990, the City’s scenario changed drastically. The Master Plan hence was remodeled to meet the changing needs and aspirations of the City in 1994. During past few years, rush to Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and Amarnath Ji cave shrines has also increased drastically,” sources said, adding that the Master Plan of Jammu 2021 was prepared in 2004.
In view of this, sources said, a detailed review of the Master Plan Jammu-2021 has been carried out to find out a way forward for conceiving the Revised Master Plan of Jammu 2032.
Sources said the Draft Master Plan was presented to Governor NN Vohra for extension of Local Area Limits and inclusion of additional 103 villages in Local Planning Area (LPA).
They added that revised Master Plan 2031 was placed in public domain for inviting objections and suggestions from the general public. The Board, which incorporated suggestions and objections from the public, comprised Commissioner/ Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Ministry as Chairman, Deputy Commiss-ioner, Jammu, Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority and Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu as members.
Sources pointed out that a presentation on Draft Master Plan was given to Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, all MLAs and other stakeholders. The suggestions made by the Speaker and the MLAs were considered before finalization of the Draft Jammu Master Plan- 2032.
“On the directions of Governor NN Vohra, the Draft Master Plan-2032 was also submitted to Town and Country Planning, New Delhi under Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, for evaluation. They gave 25 suggestions/ objections. After considering the sustainable objections/ suggestions, they have been incorporated in the Draft Master Plan,” sources said.
They added that the Master Plan now will be put before the Cabinet for approval before its implementation.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has also sought change of land use under Master Plan of Srinagar City for establishment of Government Degree College for Women at Batpora, Srinagar.
The State Cabinet has approved establishment of New Women Degree College, Srinagar under Phase-II of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP). The college is functioning in makeshift accommodation since the year 2008 from the premises of Amar Singh College, Srinagar.
“The Custodian land measuring 54 kanals and 13 marlas has been approved for construction of the College at Batpora Zakura in Srinagar. While JKPCC Limited initiated construction activities, the officials of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, Srinagar stopped construction activities for proper permission from the Competent Authority,” sources said, adding the Housing and Urban Development Department would seek the Government permission for setting up of the Degree College with relaxation of rules only for the College construction at the LAWDA land.
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