Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora has called for identifying existing gaps in physical and social infrastructure to bridge the same by rationalization of land use and minimizing haphazard and uncontrolled growth in towns and cities.
Speaking at a meeting convened here today to review the Draft Master Plan for Udhampur city, Mr.Jora said planned growth of towns and cities is imperative to create healthy environment. He said Master Plans should essentially focus on effective city planning and efficient traffic management with provision of basic services and amenities.
Local MLAs, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Krishan Chander, Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Satish Nehru, District Development Commissioner Udhampur, Chief Town Planner, senior citizens and concerned engineers and officers of the district administration were present on the occasion.
Mr.Jora said that while planning the future expansion and development of urban areas, the preservation of heritage sites and conservation of ecological equilibrium should never be compromised. He said Master Plan is a strategic tool to achieve these objectives. He asked the town planners to keep provision for construction of indoor and outdoor stadium in Udhampur.
The consultants M/s Tech Mech International Pvt. Ltd. through a Power Point Presentation said that the vision of Master Plan is to develop Udhampur as the centre of trade and commerce having excellence in educational facilities at the regional level and to strengthen its role as the destination of heritage and religious tourism.
Mr.Jora asked the town planners to focus on improving road geometry and capacity of existing network besides making urban poor integral part of the city planning, adding that minimizing growth of slums and shanty towns would significantly contribute in right town planning. He urged to make urban environment as integral part of city planning. He announced to constitute an expert committee to give final touch to the Draft Master Plan before it is submitted to Cabinet for approval.
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