The draft Master Plan-2035 for Srinagar metropolitan region is in process of finalization, an official statement said on Thursday.
The draft was put in public domain by Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) in May last year. On directions of the Governor NN Vohra, the SDA organized an interactive session with stakeholders today at SKICC over the draft.
The session was chaired by financial commissioner, housing and urban development department H&UDD and was attended by divisional commissioner, Kashmir, secretary, H&UDD, deputy commissioner, Srinagar, commissioner, SMC, vice chairman, LAWDA, vice chairman, SDA, chief architect J&K, chief town planner, Kashmir and other senior officers. Representatives of various organizations and other stakeholders participated in the session. MLAs from Srinagar also participated in the session.
“The stakeholders dwelt at length upon preservation and wherever possible, restoration of environment and ecology, water bodies, maintenance of green buffers, afforestation,” said a statement.
It was felt the Master Plan should seek to achieve sustainable development. The participants suggested that the focus should be on vertical growth and optimal usage of available land resources. The need for additional commercial hubs outside the central business district and in peripheral areas was suggested by the participants.
The MLAs emphasized on the need for early conclusion of the plan and stressed upon the need for maintaining a balance between societal needs and environmental sensitivities.
The financial commissioner directed officers of SDA and town planning organization Kashmir to keep in view the suggestions received from stakeholders while finalizing the draft Master Plan. KNS