Aiming to transform the development of Jammu and Kashmir's twin capitals, the government today announced creation of a separate Capital City Development Plan (CCDP) for Srinagar and Jammu cities and detach them from District Development Plan.
The major policy shift on the developmental front for the capital cities was announced at the meeting of the District Development Board (DDB) Srinagar, convened here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
"Under the new developmental framework, announced by the Chief Minister, the organisations like Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), the Cantonment Board and other Externally Aided Projects aimed at infrastructure development in the summer capital shall be de-linked from funding under the district plan and allocated dedicated resources under an independent over-arching mechanism," Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said.
For the implementation of Capital City Development Plan, Drabu said the Chief Minister, who is also incharge Planning and Development Department, announced an allocation of Rs 600 crore for Srinagar city for 2017-18, which would be over and above Rs 102 crore annual plan for the district.
He said besides undertaking major infrastructure development activities in Srinagar city through SMC, SDA, LAWDA and other agencies in a coordinated and substantive manner under CCDP, Rs 50 lakh would be provided to each constituency in district Srinagar for focused infrastructure development in each and every area.
He said the funds for implementation of CCDP would be pooled in from the State's own resources, Prime Minister's Developmental Programme (PMDP), Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Public-Private Partnership.
A similar mechanism would be put in place for focused development of Jammu city as well, he said.
Regarding the accomplishment of the CCDP, the he said the independent over-arching body to oversee the implementation would be headed by an elected Mayor.
"Till the time such a constitutional arrangement is put in place, the respective Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir will be designated the Nodal Authorities for implementation of CCDP," he said.
Drabu said the new developmental mechanism would be aimed at improving and augmenting the economic and social infrastructure of Srinagar and Jammu cities in a coordinated manner with adequate availability of resources.
"CCDP will be based on assessment of the existing developmental scenario in the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, outlining a vision for future development and strategising for achieving these objectives," he said.
"It will also work-out the indicative investment requirements and financial operating plans, indicating how investments made in public infrastructure are to be sustained," he added.
It would ensure planned development of the capital cities including peri-urban areas, out growths and urban corridors, so that urbanisation takes place in a dispersed and uniform manner, he said.
He said the new mechanism would also help scale up the delivery of civic amenities and provision of utilities to the residents of Srinagar and Jammu cities.
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Describing Srinagar as a unique and one of the oldest city in the country after Varanasi, Mehbooba said everybody should strive to take the city's culture, history and rich heritage to a new heights.
Terming the old city as a symbol of heritage, the chief minister said handicrafts and heritage should be incorporated in the city's development so that Srinagar becomes an attraction for the art and heritage lovers.
She said her government was trying to promote Srinagar as a tourist destination and this year 23 projects worth Rs 123 crore have been taken up for development of the city.
Mehbooba directed the officials to explore the potential of water bodies in the city, besides Dal like Chounte Kul, Kitte Kul and Sonner Kul, to develop them as tourist spots.
She also stressed on operationalisation of water transport through Jhelum and across Dal to develop alternate transportation and increase the tourist footfall in the city.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Planning & Development, approved the release of Rs 34 crore besides, Rs 20 crore for settling cases of land acquisition and other expenses.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said the Srinagar city would be developed in a befitting manner and in tune with its historic and cultural grandeur.
He hoped that the Departments like Power and Urban Development would improve their functioning further thereby improving the quality of life of the city dwellers.
