SRINAGAR, SEPT 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister-in-charge of the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), informed the Legislative Assembly about a series of measures being undertaken to strengthen urban infrastructure, improve civic amenities, address water and drainage concerns and support the livelihoods of vulnerable sections across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the government’s efforts towards planned and sustainable urban development, the Chief Minister said master plans are being used as key instruments for regulating and guiding the growth of cities and towns. Master plans for major urban centres including Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur and Katra are being implemented to ensure development takes place in a planned and systematic manner.
He further stated that GIS-based master plans for 25 cities and towns are also being prepared under AMRUT 2.0, with the objective of improving urban planning through technology-based mapping, better land-use management and more efficient infrastructure planning.
The government is also undertaking measures to protect and support the livelihoods of street vendors, particularly through interventions at the municipal level.
In municipal councils such as Sopore, surveys of street vendors are being conducted, followed by issuance of identity cards and development of dedicated vending zones to facilitate regulated vending while ensuring that vendors have designated spaces for carrying out their economic activities.
The Chief Minister said financial literacy camps are also being organised to improve awareness among vendors regarding available financial assistance and government schemes.
Under the PM SVANidhi scheme, eligible street vendors can avail themselves of collateral-free working capital loans, with cumulative assistance reaching ₹90,000 through successive loan tranches, subject to the applicable scheme provisions and eligibility criteria.
On drinking water infrastructure in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah informed the House that major works are underway to improve supply to Central Shalteng and adjoining areas.
Two filtration plants at Rangil and Alusteng, having capacities of 5 million gallons per day (MGD) and 5.5 MGD, respectively, are under construction and targeted for completion soon.
The filtration infrastructure is being supplemented by improvements to the water distribution network, aimed at strengthening the supply system and improving the availability of treated water to the targeted areas.
Addressing the recurring issue of waterlogging in Jammu East, the government has taken up upgrading works on the Jammu University Nullah and Rajinder Nagar deep drain.
The projects are targeted for completion by December 2026 and are intended to improve the drainage capacity of the affected areas and strengthen the city’s preparedness to deal with heavy rainfall and associated water accumulation.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the measures being undertaken by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for improved municipal solid waste management.
The corporation is undertaking door-to-door collection of municipal waste, along with its scientific processing in accordance with the applicable Solid Waste Management Rules.
The initiatives outlined in the Assembly reflect the government’s broader focus on strengthening urban governance through planned expansion, modernised infrastructure, improved water and drainage systems, scientific waste management and livelihood support for urban workers and street vendors.
