Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
srinagar, July 31: The acquisition of land may delay the works coming under metropolitan region development Authority's (MRDA) in Jammu and Srinagar.
The Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration recently announced creation of Jammu Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Srinagar Metropolitan Region Development Authority - to provide an integrative framework for the purpose of planned development of these regions.
However, the land acquisition seems a bigger challenge for the government.
An official of Housing and Urban Development Department said a process has also begun for acquisition of land for projects coming under MRDAs.
"All types of land are being covered under MRDAs. Besides government's land, we have also identified the private land which is to be acquired under it. But there are some land owners who are not willing to provide the land saying that government is paying them less amount for the land as compared to the market value. This seems a big challenge for the government," the official said.
He said the land owners have been demanding passing of an ordinance on Land Acquisition Act so that present Land Acquisition law of Jammu Kashmir is repealed and new one is brought in place enabling "fair compensation during acquisition".
As per the details, the government has identified 94,22,465 kanals of land in 2559 villages of 14 districts in the state.
In Kashmir, 1452 villages comprising of 4989304 kanals of land would be covered under MRDA. Five districts-Jammu, Samba, Kuthua, Reasi, Udhampur comprising 44,33,161 kanals of land will be under MRDA.
In Srinagar district, 124 villages comprising 514116 kanals of land would be covered under it. In Pulwama, 922715 kanals of land in 240 villages have been identified for implementation of projects under MRDA.
Similarly, 331799, 1049195, 451400, 142461 would be covered in Kulgam, Baramulla, Shopian, and Bandipora districts respectively.
As per the documents, these authorities have to plan an infrastructure development plan. "In the next few years, the MRDAs will be to reduce the deficit on infrastructure like water supply, roads, sewage, drainage, light rails, e-buses and other amenities."
"The authorities will also develop satellite townships in Greater Jammu and Greater Srinagar. Million sq ft IT parks will also be developed in these townships," the document reads.
The MRDAs as per the document have been selected on the principles of regional planning and development. |
