Comprehensive policy framed to meet urban challenges: Dy CM

Jammu: Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh today said the government had framed a comprehensive policy for effective implementation of the flagship housing, sanitation and civic programmes to make Jammu and Kashmir a model state.

Winding up a discussion on Demands for Grants of the Housing and Urban Development Departments (HUDD) in the state assembly, he said the state had witnessed a surge in the urban population in the recent past with the twin capital cities accounting for 60 per cent of it.

“Revised Master Plan of Srinagar, 2035 has been placed in public domain and is likely to be notified shortly, while Revised Master Plan, 2032 of Jammu, Udhampur and Katra towns have been approved and an exercise for preparation of zonal plans is also being undertaken simultaneously,” he said.

He said master plans for 24 towns of the state were at different stages of preparation.

Singh, referring to the Centre’s Smart City Mission, said proposals for both Jammu and Srinagar had been approved.

He said proposals covering 159 projects worth over Rs 7453 crore (Rs 3815 crore for Srinagar and Rs 3638 crore for Jammu) were being taken up to glorify the beauty and heritage of the cities.

The deputy chief minister said the projects envisage area-based and pan city solutions development with maximum thrust on upgrading the living standards of citizens and harnessing tourism potential.

“The project will be completed within a period of 5 years. Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for both Jammu and Srinagar smart cities have been registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,” he said.

Singh said the process of engagement of Key Managerial Functionaries and Project Management Consultancy (PMC) had been initiated.

“Once PMC is engaged, the implementation will set into motion. First instalment of the central share of Rs 195 crore for each smart city is likely to be received from the Centre soon,” he said.

Singh said 58 projects were approved under AMRUT in the State Annual Action Plans (SAAP) at an allocation of Rs 593.05 crore on sharing pattern of 90:10 between the Centre and the state.

“We have requested the government to include more towns under the scheme,” he said.

The government was also committed to restore the glory of Dal Lake and was making all-out efforts for it.

“The government is also in the process to procure the machinery with appropriate technology especially for cleaning of Dal-Nageen Lake and outsourcing of cleaning of Dal Lake under the PPP Mode by engaging a global expert,” he said.

 

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