JAMMU, JAN 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today presided over a series of meetings to review and discuss the implementation of proposed urban planning schemes and policies aimed at transforming the urban landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The discussions focused on fostering planned development in urban areas.
During the meetings, the Chief Minister was briefed on the Land Pooling Policy, which encourages developers and private landowners to pool their land for development purposes. This policy will enable urban governance agencies to create infrastructure such as wide roads, parks, and open spaces while returning the remaining land to landowners in proportion to their contribution. The initiative is seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional land acquisition methods, benefiting both the government and stakeholders, including landowners and real estate developers, by enhancing land value and improving infrastructure.
The meeting also covered the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Policy. This policy allows landowners or developers who surrender land for public use (such as road widening or heritage conservation) to receive non-financial compensation in the form of a TDR certificate. This certificate grants the owner the right to utilize or sell the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in other areas, enabling urban growth while preserving heritage properties.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which aims to promote sustainable urban mobility and planned development around public transport stations. TOD stipulations would ensure the creation of compact, walkable urban spaces near transit hubs.
Further discussions were held on Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) services for municipalities and urban local bodies across the region. The Housing & Urban Development Department presented strategies for waste collection, transportation, and processing. A presentation on waste management challenges in Udhampur highlighted issues such as landfill waste and clogged drains, with proposed solutions including waste segregation, recycling, and pollution control measures.
The Chief Minister urged the Housing and Urban Development Department to begin implementing projects under Land Pooling, TDR, and TOD to create successful models that would inspire confidence among stakeholders. He also discussed the need for managing waste disposal, road cleaning, and waterbody maintenance through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
A separate presentation by the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) addressed infrastructure development projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meetings were attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department Mandeep Kaur, and other senior officials. Officers in Srinagar participated through video conferencing.
