Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Two years have passed since the framing of master plan for Srinagar, there has been no initiative for its implementation so far.
After inordinate delay, the government framed the Srinagar Master Plan (2015-2035).
However, sources said there has been no implementation on the ground.
"This is still confined to papers only," an official said. The official said that government has not taken any initiative for its implementation.
"The master plan can't be implemented in two years but an initiative has to be taken," the official said.
The official said that government was even earmarked the funds for its initial implementation. "Nobody seems bothered about it.
I don't think there will be any of its implementation in next few years," the official added.
The master plan suggests shifting of the Civil Secretariat to Nowgam, near the Railway Station, and using the secretariat building for accommodating all divisional and district offices.
Similarly, converting the Director Information and DIG Traffic offices, currently situated at Polo View Srinagar, into a Central Park, the RMP plans to shift them to NH Bypass Bemina, another flood-prone area.
The MP proposes to shift the District Police Lines Srinagar and Veterinary Hospital Maisuma to Eidgah, Noorbagh and use their existing spaces for institutional housing and tourism infrastructure, respectively.
Likewise, Chest Diseases Hospital would shift to Zewan, Central Jail and Mental Hospital to Khunmoh, while their existing spaces would be used as Craft Centres; Leper Hospital and leper colony to Khimber/Shuhama/Saidpora Humchi while using the current space for tourism, Govt. Press in Lal Chowk to Pampore near JKEDI while using its current space for commercial purposes and as a public park.
Doordarshan would move to the airport, Chief Justice's accommodation would be at Gupkar while both of their existing structures would be turned into hotels, it says.
Srinagar city, according to the MP is more than 2,500 years old, got its first comprehensive master plan during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Post 1947, it has been growing very fast, mostly in haphazard manner with insignificant contribution of planned housing colonies.
The official believes that it was not possible to fully "implement" the draft of the master plan. "It is not possible to shift the main offices like the Civil Secretariat from Srinagar city. It does not mean whatever is in the draft has to be executed.
Shifting of Civil Secretariat from Srinagar city is out of question," the official said. |
