Jammu, Feb 8: The Governor, N N Vohra, today stressed the need for formulating Master Plans for ensuring planned and integrated growth of cities and towns. He said this would assure the provision of civic amenities and public utility services.
 Witnessing the presentation on the Greater Leh Draft Master Plan here, Vohra emphasized that, in the context of acute scarcity of land in the mountain areas, it was of vital importance to ensure planned use of all available land. Futuristic planning has, necessarily, to take into account the static and floating population as well as the tourist arrivals. He also laid stress on evolving appropriate mechanisms for the harmonious growth of the Leh town and the small but fast growing habitats in its vicinity.
 Emphasizing the importance of the various public utilities being correctly located, he said the Master Plans should be financially viable on a sustaining basis. Such plans need to cater to all existing and emerging requirements, particularly the provision of wide roads, sewerage disposal, solid waste management, parks, bus stands, environment protection schemes etc.     
 He mentioned that while planning industrial development in Leh the focus should be on the processing of all locally available or produced materials, particularly wool and pashmina. Also, the units should be non-polluting and labour intensive.
 The Greater Leh Draft Master Plan prepared by Tetra Tech India Ltd. has been formulated while keeping in view the projected population in 2040 and detailed sector-wise projections have been prepared for the purpose. The salient features of the proposed Master Plan include construction of stadium and sports activity complex, Inter-State Bus Terminal, commercial hub, compost plant and transfer station, tourist complex, taxi parking, anthropological park, recreational complex, office complex, development of river front area, environmental conservation, expansion and upgradation of the airport. Other important aspects of this Master Plan include generation of electricity through solar, wind, geothermal and hydel resources, augmentation of water supply, solid waste management, flash flood protection, drainage, sewerage for ensuring holistic futuristic growth of Leh town.           
 The Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Chhering Dorjay, thanked the Vohra for witnessing the presentation on the Draft Master Plan for the Integrated development of Leh town. He also honoured the Governor on the occasion by presenting a Khatak to him.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST