SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) has decided to seek wide-ranging inputs from technical experts and stake-holders on the city Master Plan 2012-2032, currently under formulation, before submitting it to the Government for approval.
“We have decided to take all the stake-holders on board including technical experts in related fields to make the Master Plan 2012-2032 as perfect and futuristic as possible,” Vice-Chairman SDA, Shafaat Noor Barlas said.
He said the Minister for Urban Development & Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, who is also the Chairman of SDA has also given clear-cut instructions that there should be exhaustive consultations with the stake-holders in run up to the formulation of the Master Plan.
As a part of this initiative, SDA on Friday invited a team from INTACH, Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, led by its Convener to go through the draft Land Use Plan.
The Town Planning wing of SDA gave a detailed presentation on the contours of the Master Plan 2012-2032 to the INTACH team in presence of VC SDA.
While appreciating the overall exercise of Master Plan formulation, the INTACH team put forth certain suggestions regarding conservation of the heritage character of Srinagar city in tune with the UN Convention on World Heritage and UNESCO guidelines.
They also suggested various measures for earmarking specific areas in the Srinagar city for niche activities like tourism infrastructure. Mr Beg also suggested earmarking adequate spaces in the City for pedestrian malls and revival of water transport.
The midterm review of the Srinagar Master Plan 2000-2021 was undertaken by SDA in February 2012 to suggest ways and means to make the document more realistic and implementable in consonance with the ground realities besides taking care of inaccuracies in the existing Mater Plan.
Pertinently, SDA Board in a landmark decision last month approved extension of Greater Srinagar local area from the existing 417 kms to 757 kms.
As per the new Master Plan, the boundaries of Greater Srinagar would encompass Dara-Fakri and Dachigam National Park on Northeast, Zabarwan hills from Khunmoh towards Khrew on the East, Kakapora Railway Station on Southeast, Budgam local area upto Gallandar on South, Mazhama Railway station and road towards Gulmarg on the Southwest and Buran, Ganepur in Pattan towards the West.
