Katra town in Jammu division has assumed fame across the country to this extent that no formal introduction was necessary and, therefore, it is quite logical and much needed that a scientific and planned development of this base camp for pilgrimage to the Holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is ensured. What unfortunately is observed that in spite of repeated propulsive case building by the Governor for the planned development of Katra and underlying its importance by him from time to time, Katra Development Authority seems to be looking somewhat undone in this regard?
Katra Development Authority needs to be adequately equipped with resources, men and material, in particular the considered powerful Enforcement Wing so that the Master Plan could be executed without hiccups of any sort. In most of the cases of such nature which we refer to in these columns, two deficiencies are usually found standing in between the projects and their execution and they are firstly, the funds crunch and secondly, the insufficient man power. It is not that the Government may not be in know of these basic lacunae but why they are not usually addressed the way they should, is very pertinent. Katra Development Authority too falls in that category.
It may be recalled that the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor N.N.Vohra approved the Master Plan -2031 of Katra Town in March 2016. Under it, the jurisdiction of Katra Development Authority was increased from 11.06 sq. kmsto 79.56 sq.kms. With this, the responsibility of Katra Development Authority increased horizontally and vertically and administrative prudence demanded to strengthen it but the ground realities are on the contrary, thus rendering the implementation of the Master Plan to a state of ricketiness.
Housing and Urban Development Department, instead of creation of adequate number of new posts commensurate with critical and optimal requirement, it has been found resorting to ad-hoc approach even in respect of important existing positions in Authority. Why is there no full time Enforcement Officer for the Development Authority, the “charge” of whom has been given to Enforcement Officer of Katra Municipality? Similarly, why is there no permanent Assistant Town Planner and why should Assistant Town Planner Udhampur hold the charge temporarily?
Planned growth of any town depends upon effective enforcement and for that purpose, the role of the Enforcement Wing is imperative as building norms and byelaws are ensured being not flouted in any manner. Moreover, the menace of encroachments too is normally dealt with by this wing. Therefore, how can things of implementation of the Master Plan go without this basic constituent of the whole exercise?
We urge the authorities concerned to immediately post a full time Town Planner to be kept associated with the Katra Development Authority so that the most important aspect of the Plan, Zonal Plans are made and implemented for effective implementation of Master Plan as provided for in Jammu and Kashmir Development Act.
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