Govt moots New Master Plan-2021 for Jammu city

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 28: The Government is working on new Master Plan 2021 for Winter Capital Jammu to be implemented in next ten years envisaging its expansion over twice of the present area of the city from Purmandal to Akhnoor.
The Master Plan having been framed by CEPT University, Ahmadabad was discussed here today at a high-level meeting with Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora in the chair.
Threadbare discussion was held on wide ranging issues related to the prospective requirements of Jammu city and its development on scientific lines with focus on modern sanitation system, green area and clearly divided residential and commercial areas, besides adequate roads to meet the increasing traffic rush.
The meeting was informed that at present the existing Jammu city, with a population of 9,32,500 souls, is spread over on 175 sq km, while as the projected population of the city in 2021 is estimated to be near to double with 17,62,425 souls requiring an area of 404 sq km.
A power point demonstration of the concept model envisaging requirements of next ten year was presented by experts from CEPT University, Ahmadabad, who were assigned the job to draw a comprehensive plan for the modern Jammu city.
The new Master Plan for the city proposes development of modern sanitation with Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs), channelizing of water bodies, construction of new and widening of existing roads, flyovers, separate areas for hospitals, educational institutions, gardens, parks, industrial areas, commercial areas besides by-passes on the National Highway starting from Kathua to ease traffic rush in the city.
Discussing the proposed Master Plan, the Minister stressed the need to protect forest and agriculture land during the implementation of the New Plan. He also called for adding an aesthetic look to the city, adding that Jammu was nerve centre of pilgrim tourism and there was a need to add to its tourist attraction. He also called for keeping a provision for the conservation of heritage sites and monuments in the Master Plan.
The meeting also gave suggestions to make some alterations in the plan to make it more sustainable and environment friendly.
Among others Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Jeet Lal Gupta, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, DDC, Samba Mubarak Singh, Vice Chairperson JDA Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner JMC Kuldeep Khajuria, Chief Engineer PWD Jammu and Tahseen Mustafa, Chief Engineers of various wings and senior officers attended the meeting.