Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 18: Dr. Hari Dutt Shishu and Zorawar Singh Jamwal spokespersons, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu & Kashmir, called upon the NC Government and the concerned departments to take urgent and pragmatic steps to regularize already established colonies and ensure that new colonies are developed strictly in accordance with scientific and environmental norms.
Dr Pardeep Mahotra, media in charge, J&K BJP was also present in the press conference.
Dr Hari Dutt Shishu stressed that there is unexpected massive loss consisting both of humans and the property in the recent disaster caused by torrential rain, cloudburst, illegal mining and the increasing vulnerability of certain areas to natural disasters. He emphasized that the growing population and migration from villages to major cities in the region pose a significant threat both to life and property, especially in the wake of changing climate patterns and increased instances of flash floods, landslides, and seismic activity.
“The people residing in long-established but unrecognized colonies are living in uncertainty. The Government must take immediate action to regularize these settlements, many of which have existed for decades. At the same time, future planning must be guided by disaster management protocols and sustainable urban development models,” Dr. Shishu said.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal, urged the Housing & Urban Development Department, as well as District Development Commissioners, to coordinate and conduct thorough assessments of existing colonies, especially those in vulnerable zones. Regularization, he stressed, should be accompanied by the provision of basic civic amenities such as water supply, drainage, waste management, electricity, and road connectivity.
Jamwal also appealed to the administration to involve urban planning experts, geologists, and disaster management authorities while designating land for new residential colonies.
“Proper planning today will save lives tomorrow. It is not just about housing, but about building a safer and more resilient Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
The BJP, he reiterated, is always proactive and on toes to accomplish the vision of PM which is ‘Housing For All’ and hence will continue to raise the issue through democratic and institutional platforms to ensure holistic and inclusive development of Jammu & Kashmir.
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