Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 20: In the backdrop of the last month’s devastating floods, the Government is revising draft of the new Master Plan for Srinagar as per the inputs of the Flood Control Department to prevent damages in future.
“We are getting the draft of the new Master Plan vetted by Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department… they are the experts not we. They will suggest measures whereby we can prevent damage due to floods in the future,” Rigzin Jora, Minister for Local Bodies told Excelsior.
Jora said the Chief Minister has been shown the draft of the new Master Plan. “We have given presentation of the draft of the new Master Plan. Subsequently, because areas have been extended in Srinagar city, we need cabinet consent for that. After that Master Plan will be vetted by IFC in view of recent floods,” he added.
He said then Master Plan will be put in public domain for suggestions and it will be finalised, adding, retired engineers and intellectuals can give their suggestions.
The Master Plan in place in the city has invited public criticism after violations and encroachments across the city which had blocked the flow of water bodies and flood channel.
Jora said as of now, they are guided by the old Master Plan and any construction will be approved as per it.
“It will be decided through it whether any construction will be allowed or not. Whatever has happened has happened as per the existing Master Plan. Srinagar Development Authority’s office building in Bemina was also constructed according to it,” he said.
Many streams which drain out the overflowing water of the Jehlum toward Dal lake has also been encroached by houseboat dwellers.
Jora said people living in house boats in Chuntikul canal in Dalgate will be rehabilitated to Rakhi-Arth in Bemina so that Jehlum waters flow with ease in Dal lake.
The minister evaded responsibility when asked over the encroachments on the banks of river Jehlum.
“Whatever construction on the banks of the river Jehlum has happened, they have happened in the past….I cannot be held responsible for that. During my tenure if any illegal construction has taken place, we have removed it,” he said.
Over the water logging in the city during rains and the failure of the drainage system, Jora said lot of work has been done and we have improved drainage in several areas in the city.
He said the dewatering pumps which submerged in floodwater will be kept them on raised platforms, above 18-20 feet, so that they will not get submerged if such floods hit again.
“The magnitude of the floods was so high that we were not prepared for it. Now, we are thinking of new strategies and plan to save our machines and equipment in case if floods hit again,” he said.
Over the illegal construction going on in Lalchowk’s Abiguzar and Residency road markets by the shopkeepers after the floods, Jora said. “I know they had steel shutters and after floods they are only repairing their shops. I don’t know if any illegal construction has place there. I will look into it.”
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