Mehbooba Mufti Reviews Status of Smart City Proposal for Srinagar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said the Smart City Proposal (SCP) for Srinagar as per the principles of strategic planning containing area-based development plans and pan-city initiatives.

Mehbooba held a meeting on Thursday to review the status of the SCP for Srinagar city and development of semi-ring road in and around the state's summer capital under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) which was boycotted by National Conference legislators.

"The SCP should be prepared as per the principles of strategic planning process containing Area-Based Development (ABD) plans and pan-city initiatives," she said .

While reviewing the status of preparation of the SCP, the Chief Minister stressed that the proposal should contain the vision, plan for mobilization of resources and intended outcomes in terms of infrastructure upgradation and smart applications.

Noting the absence of certain legislators, the Chief Minister said the presence of all legislators from Srinagar, cutting across the party lines, would have added value to the discussion through their valuable suggestions.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Public Works A R Veeri, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Asiea Naqash, MLA Batamaloo Noor Mohammad Sheikh, MLA Sonawar Muhammad Ashraf Mir, MLA Anjum Fazili, MLC Khursheed Alam and Chief Secretary B R Sharma.

Stressing on the need for people's empowerment and their involvement for participatory development, she said since the process is still in its infancy, maximum public participation in formulation of city vision and the SCP should be achieved through their feedback, ideas and suggestions.

She also sought the status of the Srinagar Master Plan, saying the Smart City Proposal needs to be in tune with it.

The Chief Minister stressed on the need for revival of various water bodies in and around the city in the SCP to improve the aesthetics of Srinagar.

She also issued directions for expediting the process of completion of the Master Plan so that it could be put into public domain for feedback.