ANANTNAG: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Basharat Qayoom today chaired a meeting regarding formulation of GIS based master plan for Anantnag town.
Various stakeholders from MC Anantnag, Revenue, Police and Town planning were present during the meeting.
Ex-Chief Town Planner Haryana, Jaswant Singh said that as part of Amrut Sub Scheme, M/S Kunwar Surjit Singh institute for Spatial Planning and Environment Research, Panchkula, Haryana has been tasked with creating a GIS based master plan of the town.
He said that GIS technology empowers urban planners with enhanced visibility into data. They monitor fluctuations over time, evaluate the feasibility of proposed projects and predict their effects on the environment.
He discussed various aspects of town planning including building structure, roads, land uses, parking, industrial policy, water supplies, drainage, sanitation etc besides presented the executive structure of their organization along with the provisions of Master Plan Act of 1970
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that planned development of urban areas has become a necessity in the modern times. He said that lack of proper planning and provision of public amenities usually leads to inconvenience to the public, frequent traffic jams, lack of public conveniences at regular intervals, crowding, etc.
He emphasized that all stakeholders, particularly officials must ensure that local demography, geography, needs, aspirations and environmental considerations form the key parameters in the planning exercise.
SSP Anantnag said that flood channels, proper drainage systems, snow cleanliness plans, spatial distribution of health institutions and ensuring fire gaps as well as minimizing blind spots must be incorporated in the plans for them to be future proof.
President MC Anantnag, Er Hilal Shah said that he is hopeful that GIS mapping will breed efficiency and transparency into the planning and development of Anantnag town. He said that over the last few years, MC Anantnag has strictly regulated constructions in the town as per provisions of the Master Plan and with GIS based mapping, vigilance and monitoring will be more efficient.
The meeting was attended by ACR/ CEO MC Anantnag, SE R&B, SE Hydraulic, Ex Chief Town Planner, Councilors of MC Anantnag and other stakeholders.

KR Desk