Even though a period of two months not being much looking to the general working culture in the administrative set-up of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to cause a decision to be implemented , yet the Divisional level Steering Committees have not met once except the Jammu based one just symbolically once during the period to deliberate upon the modalities and the levels of the progress of the Town Planning Schemes in respect of both the divisions with special emphasis on the terms of references . In other words, whatever precedes taking the final decisions regarding formulation and implementation of critical decisions largely remain confined to official files . However, in Kashmir one thing worth noting is that restrictions have been imposed on any sort of construction within 500 metres from the Ring Road and that being the only ”development”.
A serious approach from the concerned authorities would definitely result in moving of the things without many delays. It is a known fact that Town Planning Schemes have a direct connect with implementation of developmental plans hence the need to feel their importance is paramount. It is also a known fact that Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing urbanisation at a faster pace, in fact the said process in Jammu and Srinagar cities including their outskirts is just phenomenal. It is also a fact, rather a bitter truth, that for this process we do not hesitate to bring more and more forest areas which otherwise are already shrunk , for satiating the urbanisation needs , so is true of large chunks of ”critical” agriculture land brought under the ”spell” of urbanisation not to speak of barren land . These issues can better be addressed and managed through formulation of Town Planning Schemes.
There may be certain hitches understandably that may be the reasons of ostensibly going slow on the issue due to factors like what to do with the mounting traffic problem and its likely impact , issues of ring roads and green fields earmarked areas of the Master Plan and addressing issues of local area planning . In other words, all these concerns and factors have to be kept in consideration while formulating Town Planning Schemes. Making or drafting necessary legislation for local area planning and Town planning Schemes implementation too is forming the terms of reference for the Steering Committees to pursue. Looking from the broader perspective, it is otherwise observed that the Government severely lags behind the pace of the development needed for the cities hence the need to formulate various schemes for town planning. The need to assess the requirement of physical infrastructure, civic amenities , identifying and reserving land and more importantly acquiring it usually takes not months but years together and when there is no concrete roadmap and planning for formulating schemes for shaping towns which the Steering Committees are to ensure , how can things move properly and within a reasonable timeframe.
Within the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar , there could come up mini special townships both as a model and what in fact towns should look like to be an antidote to unplanned and haphazardly drawn towns that really look like a mess. Well, that depends on adequate land availability which otherwise is the bane of and limitations of towns and cities coming up on modern , planned , facilities oriented and scientific ways. Urban planning and, therefore, making viable schemes are important tools for land pooling and readjustments which means land playing an important and even crucial role in the development process , therefore, land owners become major stakeholders in the planning process. That will provide enough leverage for arranging adequate opportunities for civic amenities and realignment of roads coupled with configuration of areas that can fully provide space for facilities like more parks, fire stations, police stations, bank offices /ATMs etc , cultural centres and the like.
It is, therefore, imperative that sufficient surveys are made , ownerships of land established, drafting of town planning layout made , data collection and validation made , approving concept designs, byelaws and the like are framed which the Steering Committees within the framework of terms of reference can oversee and ensure more coordination between different agencies . It is nice that the Town Planning Organisations are ready to play their role and exchange the necessary information but for that regular and purposeful meetings of the Steering Committee must take place and directions issued by it.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
