Rapid pace of urbanization necessitates periodical revision
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 17: Keeping in view the rapid pace of urbanization and development of economic activities, the Government has started an exercise to revise Jammu Master Plan-2032, which after approval will be applicable to over an area of 777.84 square kilometers in Jammu and Samba districts.
As per the provisions of Rule 6(ii) of the J&K Development Authority Rules, 1976, draft of the Revised Jammu Master Plan-2032 has been prepared and put in the public domain for inviting objections and suggestions before December 14, 2024.
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“The primary objective of the Revised Master Plan is to develop spatial decision framework, which can support urban and economic growth with adequate infrastructure development in conformity with existing natural resources, land utilization and ecological aspects”, read the official document.
The specific objectives of the study are to carry out existing situation analysis and prepare a base map and existing land use for the planning area; revision of Jammu Master Plan-2032; formulation of Development Control Regulations and preparation of project implementation strategies.
As per the document, with rapid pace of urbanization and development of economic activities in Jammu, the city’s influence has been increasing in range and impact. Moreover, growth of Jammu Urban Agglomeration has been very fast which can be adjudged from the trend of decadal change in the urban population in its adjoining tehsils.
Many villages in Jammu and Samba districts have already been engulfed by the sprawl of Jammu city and in view of the large horizon period up to year 2032, the projected population growth cannot be limited to the existing boundaries hence limits are proposed to be increased to contiguous areas of Jammu and Samba districts.
The revised Jammu Master Plan is proposed to be extended from 305 square kilometers to 777/84 square kilometers which includes the whole Municipal Corporation of Jammu, Municipal Committees of Ghou-Manhasan, Bishnah, Bari Brahmana and Vijaypur besides many revenue villages. Further, total revenue villages included in the revision of Jammu Master Plan-2032 are 351—262 from Jammu district and remaining 89 from Samba district.
Spreading over an area of 777.84 square kilometers, the proposed Jammu Master Plan Local Area Planning is inhabited by a population of 984,647 persons including the overhead population of around 1.80 lakh (approx) which includes the defense, daily yatris, service and darbar (Secretariat) move population in base year 2011.
Pointing towards 351 villages, the document said that these settlements having rural character are expected to grow urban over next two to three decades and from planning perspective, it is imperative to consider these settlements as part of Jammu Local Planning Area-2032 and as such shall be provided with urban amenities and facilities for the benefit of local population.
“Master Plan proposes comprehensive provision of amenities, facilities, services and utilities to improve quality of life and blend these settlements with the proposed urban development of Jammu”, the document said, adding “education, health, recreational, sanitation, water supply and improved transportation networks as well as work centers need to be developed in these villages so that they could keep pace with the urban areas”.
“These settlements are proposed to be developed as self-sustaining entities with efficient linkages with the mother city. However, these villages shall continue to be governed by the Rural Development Department for the benefit of rural development schemes”, the document said, adding “agricultural lands around these villages will be given usages of residential, commercial and PSP and their development will be done by land pooling”.
“The proposed land use under commercial category is around 44.52 square kilometers which is about 5.72% of the proposed area”, the document said, adding “the proposed land use under industrial category is around 14.38 square kilometers which is about 1.84% of the net proposed area”.
The document further said, “the Master Plan envisages industrial sector as a focus area for investment and diversification of economic base of the city. The industrial sector is expected to improve the employability of the region by creating lot of job opportunities during the plan period. The Master Plan accordingly proposes to rejig the existing industrial estate and create Special Investment Zones or Special Economic Zones. It envisages new industrial areas in Badwal near Vijaypur in Planning Zone Vijaypur and Sarore in Planning Zone Bishnah”.
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