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Master Plan 2035 ReportFinal

The document summarizes the Master Plan 2035 for Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It discusses (1) the rapid urban population growth in the region exceeding national averages, (2) the history of urban planning efforts in Srinagar city since the early 1900s, and (3) the key aspects and goals of the Master Plan 2035, including sustainable development, heritage preservation, and improved quality of life.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
707 views322 pages

Master Plan 2035 ReportFinal

The document summarizes the Master Plan 2035 for Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It discusses (1) the rapid urban population growth in the region exceeding national averages, (2) the history of urban planning efforts in Srinagar city since the early 1900s, and (3) the key aspects and goals of the Master Plan 2035, including sustainable development, heritage preservation, and improved quality of life.

Uploaded by

Irfan shagoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Town Planning Organisation Kashmir

Habitat Centre, N.H. Bypass, Bemina – Srinagar.


Preface

The State of Jammu & Kashmir during the last decade (2001-2011) recorded a growth rate of about 23% exceeding the national growth rate of
about 17%. As per the Census of India 2011, the State has about 27% (3.4 million) of its people living in urban areas. The State’s urban
population increased by 36.42% during last decade higher than the national average of 31.1% and much higher than decadal growth rate
(19.42%) in case of rural areas at the State level. The macro-level spatio-demographic variations across three regions reflect that the Kashmir
Region has 32% urban population followed by Ladakh Region with 23% while Jammu Region has 22% of its population living in urban areas.
With regard to total urban population of the State, the Kashmir Region accounts for 63%, the Jammu Region 35% and the Ladakh Region just
2%. Out of the total urban population of 3.4 million in the State, Kashmir Valley holds 2.2 million with Srinagar city alone accounting for 55%
whereas Srinagar Metropolitan Region i.e.; the Local Area has more than 75% of the urban population of the Valley presenting a case of highly
skewed urbanization or macrocephaly.

Post 1947, Srinagar has been growing very fast, mostly in haphazard manner with insignificant contribution of the planned development.
Historically, the city has been on the path of planning trajectory much before 1947 when Mr. W.G. Harris, a British Engineer was hired by the
State during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the aftermath of devastating floods of 1902 for comprehensive flood management plan for
ensuring sustainable development of Srinagar city. The Srinagar Master Plan 1971-91 was the first comprehensive planning effort made by the
State Government post-Independence. The Master Plan 1971-91 triggered growth in west and southwest directions of Srinagar mostly in low
lying areas, wetlands and flood absorption basins adjacent to Flood Spill Channel. Turbulence from 1989 forced a kind of plan holiday for a
decade and ineffective regulatory mechanism of the urban local bodies and local authorities led to massive conversion of hitherto colonies and
residential areas into commercial development.

The Master Plan-2035 is the third statutory planning exercise carried out for Srinagar city so far. However; the question remains as to how much
has been achieved on ground vis-à-vis the master plan targets during the plan period of more than four decades. Certainly the progress is very
dismal as evident on ground which is not surely not because of poor quality plans but due to absence of administrative zeal and lack of a strong
political will. If we are to make our city economically more vibrant and environmentally sustainable, then there is no alternative to a sustained
and long term planning vision as enshrined through master plans.

The Master Plan-2035 is a comprehensive public policy document calibrated to ground realities. The plan is at a departure from archaic planning
efforts in terms of its public policy approach, development regulations, implementation mechanism, resource mobilisation, mixed landuse
regulations etc. The Master Plan has been prepared for a threshold population of around three million by 2035 spread over an area of 766 Sq.
Km. The Srinagar Metropolitan Planning limits have been increased from 416 Sq. Km to approximately 766 Sq. Km., i.e.; 84% increase. The
Local Area of SDA stands already notified vide SRO-429 dated 21.10.2014 (including the municipal areas of Srinagar Municipal Corporation
and that of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore and Khrew ULBs and additional 160 villages as outgrowths in twelve tehsils of Six districts viz;
Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Bandipora and Baramula).

i
The assignment of preparing the master plan was entrusted to Town Planning Organisation Kashmir after disengaging a private consulting firm
i.e.; the M/s SAI Consulting Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad—initially hired by SDA for the revision of Srinagar Master Plan-2021. The Master Plan-2035
has been completed by Town Planning Organisation Kashmir in-house by a team of dedicated officers who left no stone unturned to accomplish
the assignment in time. In the preparation of this master plan, extensive field surveys and interactions with all stakeholders were conducted from
time to time to ensure large-scale public consultations. Seminars and workshops were also conducted in Srinagar and Delhi for one-to-one
interaction with experts and people at large to improve the contents and quality of the master plan. Technical experts having extensive field
experience in urban planning, environment, heritage conservation, transportation, housing and economy were also taken on board for guidance
and support to add further value to this important public policy document.
The Master Plan-2035 articulates a shared vision for the future of Srinagar city and recommends specific actions for reaching that future. For a
long term sustainable development—smart, sustainable and economically empowered growth— the city has to be treated as a sustainable
ecosystem offering vibrant and equitable setting where People can Live, Work and Prosper with dignity.” The Master Plan-2035 has
many firsts which make it a unique exercise. Some of the significant firsts are:
 Comprehensive land suitability analysis based on scientific parameters.
 Comprehensive identification and mapping of heritage buildings/precincts for revitalization and social inclusion of core city –
Srinagar.
 Policies for promotion of local craft and tourism on sustainable norms.
 Focus on policies connecting rural economy with urban economy.
 Restructuring of Srinagar city for its sustenance and improving index of urban living.
 Use of GIS technology for accuracy and data base creation.
 A unique Development Code based on individual zone system as per development intensity and natural setting aiming at promoting
the development rather than constricting it.
 TDRs and Green FAR for heritage conservation and land value capturing or monetization of land.

The Master Plan-2035 has been prepared after in-depth efforts put by a team of dedicated officers and technical experts. It is held that
the master plan will provide a new direction to metropolitan area provided the proposals and policies envisaged are implemented sincerely and
effectively. In this context, Government has the primary responsibility to ensure that the master plan proposals are implemented in letter and
spirit.
The Draft Master Plan Srinagar-2035 was put in the public domain by Srinagar Development Authority under the provisions of the J&K
Development Act, 1970 in May 2017 and subsequently extended up to 8th October 2017 from time to time for seeking suggestions and
objections from all stakeholders including general public. The master plan proposals were also discussed with people of all shades including
traders, KHARA, KHAROF, KEF, KEA, public representatives, advocates, common citizens etc for their feedback. Before its submission, the
proposals of the master plan were placed for reviews before a panel of experts having relevant subject specialization and vast field experience

ii
both within and outside India. About 320 suggestions and objections were received which were examined by the Committee constituted by the
Government vide Order No: 226 –HUD of 2017 dated 09.11.2017.

The Draft Master Plan Srinagar-2035 along with the recommendations of the said Committee was placed before the State
Administrative Council (SAC) for its approval under Section (9) of the J&K Development Act 1970. The Master Plan-2035 was
approved by the State Administrative Council (SAC) along with the recommendations of the Committee vide Decision No: 40/5/2019 in
its meeting held on 13th February 2019 at Raj Bhavan Jammu except for the recommendation of the Committee w.r.t. any development
along the NH Bypass from Pantha Chowk to Nowgam. Accordingly, the SAC approved the departmental proposal with a modification
that “no development/construction activity be permitted along the NH Bypass from Pantha Chowk to Nowgam which forms a part of flood
absorption basin”.

Sd/
Fayaz A. Khan
Chief Town Planner (K)

iii
WORKING TEAM
Planning Team
1 Fayaz A. Khan Chief Town Planner, Kashmir
2 Gulzar Ahmad Dar Town Planner, TPO (K)
3 Nazir Ahmad Magrey Assistant Town Planner, TPO (K)
4 Mohsin Nabi Malik Planner, SDA
5 Irfan Ahmad Lone Planner Apprentice, SDA
6 Subzar Bashir Planner Apprentice, SDA
7 Zoya Mehraj Khan Planner Apprentice, SDA
Survey Teams
Landuse and Traffic & Transportation Survey
1 Reyaz Ahmad Gassi Assistant Executive Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
2 Sajad Ahmad Assistant Executive Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
3 Manoj Kumar Assistant Town Planner, TPO (J)
4 Tariq Shamus Assistant Town Planner, SDA
5 Kamal Kishore Planning Assistant, TPO (J)
6 Sunil Nagari Planning Assistant, TPO (J)
7 Vikas Mahajan Planning Assistant, TPO (J)
8 Subzar Ahmad Khan Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
9 Muqsit Masood Chisti Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
10 Mohd. Iqbal Malik Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
11 Fayaz Ahmad Qadri Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
12 Syed Junaid Qadri Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
13 Abdul Gani Dar Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
14 Saqib Fayaz Wani Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
15 Parvez Ahmad Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
16 Showkat Ahmad Hakim Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
17 Khalid Hussain Statistical Officer, S&I Div., TPO(K)

iv
18 Javaid Rasool Planning Assistant, TPO(K)
19 Nisar Ahmad Mattoo Head Draftsman, TPO(K)
20 Raj Kumar Head Draftsman, TPO(K)
21 Azad Ahmad Tracer, TPO(K)
22 Nazir Ahmad Gassi Printer, TPO(K)
23 Showkat Ahmad Tracer, TPO(K)
24 Bashir Ahmad Bhat Tracer, TPO(K)
Socio-Economic Survey
1 Household Survey Srinagar Development Authority
2 Data Analysis Miss Suneem Amin, Field Inspector, S&I Div., TPO(K)
Drafting and Digitization
1 Sabzar A. Khan Junior Engineer, S&I Div., TPO(K)
2 Miss Areen Rasool Junior Engineer
3 Shahid Gull GIS Analyst

v
Table of Contents

1 Srinagar—A profile and perspective of development 1


1.1 The Srinagar City—A Brief Historical Perspective 1
1.2 Srinagar—the Urbanization Pattern and the Prospectus of Growth 4
1.3 Skewed Urbanization or Macrocephaly 5
1.4 Settlement Hierarchy - Projected Population 6
1.5 Framework for Regional Development 8

2 Tracking past Planning Efforts 9


2.1 The Revision of the Master Plan—Issues and Questions 9
2.2 Way Forward 15

3 Defining the planning process of the Master Plan-2035 16


3.1 Notification of Local Area—Srinagar Metropolitan Region [SMR] 16
3.2 Data Collection and Analysis 18
3.3 Demography 19
3.4 Population Projection 20
3.5 Workforce Participation Rates for Srinagar Metropolitan Region 21
3.6 Workforce Projections 23
3.7 Job Profiling for Srinagar Metropolitan Region 24

4 Defining future planning strategy 26


4.1 Vision-2035 26
4.2 Major Considerations for Futuristic Planning- The Determinants 27
4.2.1 Land Suitability and Environmental Sustainability 28
4.2.2 Regional Dimension – Planning the Jhelum Valley Floor 29
4.2.3 Accommodating Projections 29
4.2.4 Market Forces and Past Planning Efforts 32
4.3 Defining the Future Growth Trajectory 32

i
5 ECONOMICS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT 36
5.1 Sectoral composition of J&K’s GSDP 37
5.2 City’s Economy 39
5.3 Rural Economy 41
5.3.1 Agro-Economy 41
5.4 Industrial Economy 44
5.4.1 Cottage Industry (Handloom and Handicrafts) 45
5.5 Retail and General Business 47
5.5.1 Informal Economy 48
5.6 Directions for Future Economic Growth 49

6 Community Development, Housing and Human Habitats 51


6.1 Housing and Human Habitats 51
6.1.1 Slum Population 55
6.1.2 Issues in the Development of Affordable Housing 55
6.1.3 Housing Strategy Outlined 56
6.1.4 Role of the State Government 56
6.1.5 Role of Local Self Government Institutions (Municipalities and Panchayats) and Local Authority(s) 57
6.1.6 Role of Private, Cooperative and Community Sector Agencies 58
6.1.7 Role of Housing Finance Institutions (HFIs) 58
6.1.8 Specific Action Areas 59
6.1.9 Architecture and Design 60
6.1.10 Housing for Urban Poor 60
6.1.11 Urban Villages 60

7 URBAN GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS 62


7.1 Urban Governance 62
7.2 Stages of Citizen Participation 63
7.3 Tools for Participation 63
7.4 Administrative Re-structuring of Srinagar Capital City 66
7.5 Rationalisation and Strengthening of Public Institutions 67

ii
7.6 Defense Use 69

8 Ecology and environment 71


8.1 Lakes, Wetlands and Waterways 71
8.1.1 Lakes 71
8.1.2 Wetlands and Marshes 72
8.1.3 River Jhelum 74
8.2 Rationale for conservation 76
8.2.1 Dal Lake 77
i. Issues 77
ii. Causes of Dal Lake Degradation— as per DPR of AHEC‐ IIT Roorkee 78
iii. Recommendations 78
iv. Treatment within the Lake 79
Catchment Management Plan / Urban Development Regulation 80
Land Use Policy 82
Buffer Zones/Green Belts 83
8.2.2 Other wetlands 84
General Recommendations 84
8.2.3 Wetland Reserves 85
8.2.4 Dachigam National Park 86
8.2.5 Conservation Reserves 86
8.2.6 Natural Endowment and Landscape Areas 87
8.3 Air Quality and Water Resource and Management 93
8.4 BUFFER Zones 94

9 TOURISM and Culture 96


9.1 Governing Bodies 96
9.2 Existing Tourism Assets and Package 97
9.2.1 Diversity Potentials and Opportunities for Tourism Expansion 97
9.2.2 Allocations of new Tourism Products on the basis of Potential Index 98
9.3 Tourist Projections [2035] 100

iii
9.3.1 Bases for Allocating Tourism infrastructure 100
9.4 PROPOSALS 101
9.5 Boulevards/Cycle Tracks/ and Walkways 104

10 Natural and Cultural Heritage 106


10.1 Vernacular/Traditional Heritage of Srinagar 110
10.2 Heritage Zones [Core I & Core II] 111
10.3 Existing Planning and Regulating Mechanism 113
10.4 Challenges for Conservation and Infrastructure Development in Areas of Heritage Significance 116
10.5 Special Areas / Heritage Conservation Plans 117
10.5.1 Mughal Gardens 117
10.5.2 Floating Gardens 118
10.5.3 City Forests of Kohi Maran and Kohi Suleiman (Hari Parbat and Shankar Acharya) 119
10.5.4 The Walled City 119
10.5.5 Other Areas 120
10.6 Cultural Heritage Policy in the Master Plan-2035 120
10.6.1 Objectives 122
10.6.2 Organisation Structures, Capacities and Management Framework 123
10.6.3 Conservation Strategy 124
10.7 Heritage and Economic Development 126
10.7.1 Incentivising Heritage Conservation 126

11 Urban Mobility 128


11.1 Urban Transport Strategy 129
11.2 Transportation Network Plan 131
11.2.1 Hierarchy of Road Network 132
11.3 Integrated Intercity and Intra-city Bus Terminals/ Bus Depots 144
11.3.1 Bus Depots 144
11.4 Inland Multimodal Container Depot/Dry Port 150
11.5 Public Transport 150
11.5.1 Augmentation and Improvement of City Bus System 151

iv
11.5.2 Short-term Measures 152
11.5.3 Public Transport Systems 153
11.6 Mass Rapid Transit System 155
11.7 Commuter and Goods Rail System (CGRS) 156
11.8 Dal Ring Transport Service 157
11.9 Air Traffic 157
11.10 Inland Water Transport (IWT) System 158
11.11 IPT System (Mini-Bus System/ Shared Taxis) 158
11.12 Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) 159
11.13 Multi-modal Integration 163
11.14 Parking Plan 164
a. Accidents and Road Safety 176
ii) Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) 177
a. Institutional Framework 178
i. Srinagar Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority 178
ii. Functions of proposed SUMTA 179
iii. Srinagar Metropolitan Transport Corporation (SMTC) 181
iv. Transport Planning Unit (TPU) 182
Conclusion 183

12 Public Infrastructure and Community Services 184


12.1 Social Infrastructure 184
12.1.1 Educational Facilities 184
12.1.2 Health Facilities 185
12.2 Leisure and Sports Facilities 188
12.3 Electricity 189

13 Public Health and Urban Sanitation 192


13.1 Water Supply 194
Proposals 197
13.2 Sewerage and Septage Management 201

v
Gap Analysis and Proposals 201
13.3 Storm Water Drainage (SWD) 205
Proposals 209
13.4 Solid Waste Management (SWM) 210

14 Disaster Mitigation and Management 216


14.1 Disaster Risk Context of Srinagar 217
14.2 Risk Zones in Srinagar 218
14.3 Risk Sensitive Planning 219
14.4 Resilience Building Strategies 220
14.4.1 Built Environment 220
14.4.2 Infrastructure 221
14.4.3 Capacity building for disaster risk reduction: 221
14.4.4 Hazard specific Action Plans 222
14.5 Linkage with Disaster Management Plans and Provision of Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre 226
14.6 Risk Reduction to be addressed in Zonal Plans 227

15 URBAN DESIGN 228


15.1 Urban Design considerations 228
15.2 Principles of Urban Design 228
15.3 Improving the Public Realm 229
15.4 Streetscape 231
15.5 Hoardings & Signage 232

16 Tracking the Implementation of Master Plan-2035 233


16.1 Financing Urban Land 234
i. Negotiated Land Acquisition 234
ii. Land Pooling Technique 235
iii. Land Adjustment/ Sharing Mechanism 235
iv. Private Sector Participation 237
v. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) 237

vi
16.2 Financial Plan 237
i. Off-Budget Financial Instruments 237
ii. Budgetary Allocations 239
iii. Market Borrowings 239
16.3 Legal Framework 239
16.4 Phasing and Review 240

Development Promotion Rules and Regulations 01


1-1 Definitions 2
1-2 Applicability 2
1-2-1 Conformity with other Acts or Rules and Regulations 3
1-3 Planning Divisions (SMR) 4
1-4 Mixed Landuse Regulations Permissible within [Designated Use] based on Hierarchy of Road Network 4
1-5 Mixed-Landuse Policy 7
1-5-1 Vertical Mixed Landuse Policy 7
1-5-2 Composite Mixed Landuse Policy 8
1-6 Permissible Uses and Regulations 11
1-7 Development regulations for various uses 18
1-7-1 Development Regulations for residential use (plotted) 19
1-7- 2 Development Regulations for residential use (flatted) 20
1-7-3 Development Regulations for housing colonies 21
1-7-4 Development Regulations for commercial use 23
1-7-5 Development Regulations for Mixed Use 25
1-7-6 Development Regulations for Public and Semi-Public
(Govt./Semi-Govt./Autonomous Bodies other than Commercial Projects) Use 26
1-7-7 Development Regulations for [other] Public and Semi-Public Use
(Commercial Govt. Projects, Private and Non-Government Use) 27
1-7-9 Development Regulations for Tourism Use Zone 28
1-7-10 Development Regulations for Industrial Use 29
1-7-11 OTHER REGULATIONS 30
A. Distance between Buildings 30

vii
B. Petrol Pumps / Filling Stations 30
1-7-12 Safety against Natural Disasters like Earthquakes 31
1-7-13 Water Harvesting 32
1-7-14 Fire Protection and Fire Requirements 32
1-7-15 Mulba Stacking 33
1-7-16 Provision for Physically Challenged Persons in the Public Buildings: 33
1-7-17 Space Standards 34

ANNEXURE “A” 01
ANNEXURE-B 11
1. List of ASI Protected Monuments 11
2. State Protected Monuments 11

viii
Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

1 SRINAGAR—A PROFILE AND PERSPECTIVE OF DEVELOPMENT

1.1 The Srinagar City—A Brief Historical Perspective


The first account of the spatial history of Srinagar—starting from the city of Srinagari founded by Ashoka in 250 BC at the present village of
Pandrethan in the east of Takht-i-Sulaiman Hill or Shanker Acharya Hill—is available in Kalhan’s Rajatarangini. Srinagari remained the capital of
Kashmir till the middle of sixth century AD when a new city—Pravarapura—was founded by Parvarasen II near the Hari Parbat Hill also
Known as Kohi Maran. The city extended along the right bank of the river Jhelum. With the passage of time, Paravarapura assumed the old
name Srinagari. The two capitals of Kashmir have been mentioned by Hieun Tsiang—the first Chinese traveller to visit Kashmir. Kalhan
described the city as having markets and mansions mostly built of wood reaching the clouds (Khan, 2013). He describes Srinagar in the
following words:

“The streams meeting, pure and lovely, at pleasure-residences and near market streets obviously referring to Dal Lake and the River Jhelum, and
the numerous canals which intersect the city.”

The later Hindu rulers transferred capital from one place to another. Lalitaditya founded Parihaspora, Jayapida laid out the city of Jayapura
and Awantivarman founded the city of Awantipura followed by other capitals—Kaniskapura, Juskapura and Hushkapura. All these later capitals
lost their importance and Srinagar alone survived. The Parvarasen’s choice has been admitted as impeccable for its beauty, strategic
importance and its intrinsic value (Khan, 2013). The River Jhelum serves as the main artery of communication with Aurel Stein describing it
the city enjoying the facilities which no other side could offer with Srinagar acting as the distributing centre for incoming merchandize from
different parts of the Valley (Stein). Srinagar acted as distribution centre for incoming merchandize, commanded trade route to India and
Central Asia with strategically located rivers and lakes making it invulnerable and the Dal and Anchar Lakes fulfilling the needs of city
population (Khan, 2013). Srinagar city is equidistant from two main commercial towns of the Valley—Anantnag and Baramulla—and is also
equidistant from Jammu, Rawalpindi, Leh and Gilgit (Khan, 2013).

The city of Srinagar during the Muslim rule (1320-1819) became Kashmir or Shahr-i-Kashmir with the name also used by western travellers
Bernier and Desideri. Srinagar during this period underwent significant changes but the geographic position of Parvarasen’s city remained
unaltered. Rinchan—the first Muslim ruler—founded Rinchapora building the first mosque followed by Allauddin who founded
Allaudinpora—between Jamia Masjid and Ali Kadal. Shahabuddin again selected Hariparbat for his capital followed by Qutbuddin who
persisted with Srinagar, founded Qutbddinpora also making Khanqahimualla as the centre for Islamic teaching. Sultan Sikander built a
mosque at the place making it the centre for political and religious activities. Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin built Zaina Kadal and founded a new

February, 2019 1 Town Planning Organisation, Kmr


Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

city—Nau Shahahr. The Mar Canal built by him remained till recently the main artery of communication between Srinagar city and the
villages near Dal Lake—the production centres. He was responsible for introducing new industries –shawl, carpet, silk, paper machie, paper,
wood carving Namda and Gabha—making Srinagar famous in the Central Asia (Khan, 2013).

This was followed by Sutan Haider Shah’s reign shifting the capital from Nau Shahr to Nowhatta, however in Sultan Hassan Shah’s reign the
capital was shifted back to Nau Shahr. The period of Sultan’s was followed by Chak dynasty and the period did not see significant spatial
development and was marred by internal feuds. This led to Mughal occupation in 1586 AD who operated through their Governors with
Hari Parbat fort becoming the centre of political activity. Akbar’s reign led to the construction of walled city—Nagar Nagar— around the
slopes of Hari Parbat. Under the Mughals Srinagar became the city of gardens. Francois Bernier—who visited Srinagar during Aurangzeb’s
reign—describes the city as the Paradise of Indies. He describes the city not less than three quarters of league in length and half a league in
breadth with two bridges over the Jhelum (Khan, 2013). Kashmir Valley became the summer resort for Mughals who fell in love with the
landscape and ecology of the place. They built a number of gardens perfecting the gardens landscape. The perfection of landscape of Taj
Mahal would not have been possible without the perfections achieved by Mughals in the garden landscape and architecture in Kashmir. No
city in the north of Delhi has the amount and quality of heritage which Srinagar has. The city still has a number of Mughal Gardens—
Nishat, Shalimar and Chashma Shahi in addition to Mullah Akhun Shah Mosque, Pari Mahal—while a number of them including Baghi
Dilawar Khan, Baghi Ali Mardan, Dewan Bagh etc. have already been lost to urbanization and industrialization in the city.

Father Ippoliti Desideri—who visited Srinagar in 1714 AD—describes Srinagar as:

“the populous character of Srinagar, its lakes surrounded by pleasant gardens and crowded with boats for pleasure and commerce and the lilies growing on
the roofs of the houses(Khan, 2013).”

Under the Afghan rule, the fort of Sherghari, the construction of massive fort on the top of Hari Parbat hillock and the construction of Amira
Kadal Bridge were major spatial developments in the city. George Foster who visited Srinagar in 1783 AD mentions the city having
developed about three miles on either side of the Jhelum with four of five bridges (Khan, 2013).

February, 2019 2 Town Planning Organisation, Kmr


Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

Figure 1-1:
Evolution
of Srinagar
(Source:
TPOK)

February, 2019 3 Town Planning Organisation, Kmr


Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

After several centuries with the advent of Sikhs 80.00%


1981 2001 2011 2015 2035
in 1819 Kashmir again assumed the name
Srinagar. Moorcroft who visited the city in the 70.00%

Sikh period describes the city as confused mass 60.00%


of ill-favoured buildings, forming a complicated
labyrinth of narrow and dirty lanes, scarcely 50.00%

%AGE
broad enough for a single cart to pass, badly 40.00%
paved with houses generally two or three
stories high—in a state of total neglect (Khan, 30.00%
2013).
20.00%
After 1947 Srinagar has been growing very fast
10.00%
mostly in haphazard manner with insignificant
contribution of the planned housing colonies. 0.00%
> 1 MILLION 100,000-1 50,000- 20,000- 10,000- 5,000- <5,000
The Master Plan 1971-91 triggered growth in MILLION 100,000 50,000 20,000 10,000
west and southwest direction of Srinagar mostly
in the low lying areas, wetlands and flood Figure 1-2 Proportion of Srinagar in Urban Population
absorption basins adjacent to Flood Spill Channel. Turbulence from 1989 forced a kind of plan holiday for a decade and ineffective
regulatory mechanism of the urban local bodies and local authorities led to massive conversion of hitherto colonies and residential areas
into commercial development.

The process of the acceleration of landuse conversions further picked up after the approval of Srinagar Master Plan-2021. Public Interest
Litigations were filed in the Hon’ble High Court against the Master Plan violations and a number of properties were sealed by Srinagar
Municipal Corporation (SMC). The Government promulgated the J&K Civic (Provisions) Act and a number of committees were constituted
by the Government to look into the violations of Srinagar, Jammu and Katra cities for framing policies for the regularization or otherwise of
these violations which came into being in 2017.

1.2 Srinagar—the Urbanization Pattern and the Prospectus of Growth


The population of Srinagar urban area in 1981-2011 had shown an annual average growth of 2.45% against 2.38% AEGR for the period 2001-
11 which is not only amongst the lowest in the towns but less than the regional average of 3%. The AEGR of the city region—SMR—is about

February, 2019 4 Town Planning Organisation, Kmr


Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

1.75% which is even lesser than Srinagar city. Even the far-flung Kupwara town has the growth rate [AEGR] of 4%—far higher than Srinagar
Metropolitan Region [766 sq.km.]. The detailed analysis of the available data indicates that Srinagar Metropolitan Region has been
experiencing modest growth rates even in comparison to mid-sized towns as well as the overall [urban] population growth of the state.

The sluggish growth rate of Srinagar city is an obvious indicator of its declining economic growth and its creeping into ‘metropolitan
stagnation and regional suburbanisation’.
50%
As per Census of India, population of Class I
45%
towns from 1981 to 2001 varied between 65-
70% of the total urban population of Kashmir 40%
region. While the proportion of Srinagar
35%
metropolitan city to total urban population is
expected to perversely decrease from 58% to 30%
43% from 2011 to 2035, the proportion of Class I 25%

Percentage
towns is viewed to contrarily increase from 7%
to 28%. The number of cities is projected to 20%

increase from one in 2011 to three in 2015, and 15%


seven in 2035. In the same period, the number Kashmir Jammu
10%
of mid-sized towns [50,000 to 100,000 population Ladakh J&K
range] is expected to increase from two to 5%
thirteen with their population share from 6% in
0%
2011 to 16% in 2035. This trend is a healthy 1981 2001 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
indicator of the fact that urbanization is
correcting its skew and turning out to be Figure 1-3: Urban Population Rate, J&K
regionally more balanced.

1.3 Skewed Urbanization or Macrocephaly


As per Census 2011, out of total population of the State, about 27% (3.4 million) people live in urban areas with its urbanisation having
increased at 36.42% higher than the national average of 31.1% and much above the rural areas which grew at 19.42% decadal growth rate in
the State. At present annual growth rate of 3.6%, urban population of the State is projected around 7.0 million by 2035.

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Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

The Kashmir Region has 32% of its people


30
living in urban areas followed by the Ladakh 1981 2001 2011 2015 2035
Region with 22% while Jammu Region has 23%
of its population in urban areas. With regard to 25 25
total urban population of the State in 2011, the 23
Kashmir Region accounts for 63%, the Jammu 21 21

NUMBER OF TOWNS
20
Region 35% and the Ladakh Region just 2%.
Out of the total urban population of 3.4 million,
16
Kashmir Valley holds 2.2 million, and out of 2.2 15 15

million urban population in the Valley, 13 13


12
Srinagar city accounts for 55% whereas 11 11
10
9
Srinagar Metropolitan Region i.e.; the Master 8 8
7 7
Plan Area of 766 sq. km shares more than 75% 6
5 5 5
of the urban population of the Valley. This is a
3 3 3 3 3
case of skewed urbanization or macrocephaly 2
1 1 1
which needs a more balanced approach 0 0 0
> 1 MILLION 100,000-1 50,000- 20,000- 10,000- 5,000- <5,000
connecting regional dimensions to it. MILLION 100,000 50,000 20,000 10,000
Planning Srinagar in isolation without having
an insight into the regional factors which play
Figure 1-4: Urbanization Pattern
a key role in shaping city’s urban profile is a
planning fallacy. In this connection, an attempt has been made to look at the regional pattern of settlement hierarchy in Kashmir
Valley to sensitise the authorities about impending challenges and possible interventions in the urbanisation of the Valley.

1.4 Settlement Hierarchy - Projected Population


The Kashmir Valley as per the population estimates of 2015 has 65 towns which include 48 statutory towns as well; out of which 20 towns
have population more than 20,000 (Census 2011). Srinagar is the only city with more than one million population with its defined ‘city
region’ has a population of 1.9 million whereas the three urban areas of Annantnag, Baramulla and Sopore being class I towns have more than

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Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

one lakh population each. There are five towns in the range 50,000-99,999 in the Valley whereas 11 towns having population in the range
20,000-49,999 as per
census 2011 figures.

The 2035 population


estimates for the towns
made in the master plan
(where available) and for
remaining towns worked
out on the basis of
existing AEGR indicate
that the Valley will have
an urban population of
5.5 million in comparison
to the existing urban
population of 2.95
million—an increase of
2.55 million in two decades.
From these figures, the
Srinagar Metropolitan
Region [SMR] will have a
population of about three
million excluding the
floating and tourist
populations. Greater
Anantnag will grow into
a major city with around
500,000 population
Figure 1-5: Settlement Hierarchy 2015-35

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Chapter-I
Srinagar-A Profile of Perspective & Development

whereas Sopore and Baramulla each with more than 200,000 population will add to the City’s list. About 32 towns will be mid- sized towns
and 15 as small towns in 10,000-20,000 population range.

1.5 Framework for Regional Development


In order to arrive at a reasonable population projection of Srinagar city region for 2035, it is prerequisite to understand the BAU scenario of
projections vis-à-vis the settlement hierarchy of the Valley floor. Well managed urbanization is a necessary condition for economic
transformation and change. The juxtaposition of the 2015 urban population figures and the settlement hierarchy with 2035 is indicative of
large scale urbanization in the Kashmir Valley with Srinagar retaining its primacy in the region. However, the scenario will drastically
change in next two decades which will see unprecedented urbanization in the whole region including the Srinagar Metropolitan Region.
The trend is towards a balanced urbanization with small and medium towns contributing significantly towards the growth of urban
population.

The projections being based on the statutory and census towns as per Census 2011 are exclusive of class VI potential towns which will come
up as a result of transformation of existing large village settlements.

As stated earlier, the projected urban population of different classes of towns is pointing towards the fact that Srinagar will continue to hold
its primacy in the region, however the Class I and Class II towns are expected to contribute significantly during the next two decades.
Srinagar has two major urban agglomerations to its north and south which include the Anantnag, Bijbehara and Mattan and Baramulla -Sopore
Urban Agglomerations both having the potential to grow as countermagnets to Srinagar city. Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan (ABM)
agglomeration is estimated to have 650,000 population where Baramulla-Sopore Urban Agglomeration is estimated to have 475,000
population 2035. This trend is healthy for the reasons as the existing skewed urbanisation is being balanced out by the growth of midsized
towns. This healthy trend needs to be supported and reinforced by a public policy which inter-alia shall include policy impetus to the
development of dormitory and satellite townships in the suburbs of Srinagar city besides the development of regional counter-magnets
in north and south directions as part of a Macro-Regional Plan of Jhelum Valley Floor. This will not only help to counter regional
migrations to Srinagar city which is riddled with many thresholds but will also go a long way in the balanced and sustained development of
the region.

[The rationale for the planning and development of a smart and sustainable Srinagar has to be based on a trade-off taking into account the
complexities of the Kashmir region as a whole, its fragile ecology, vulnerability to floods, the existing settlement pattern and affordable and
sustainable transportation so that the economic development and future growth of the city is ensured within sustainable limits with a focus
on natural and cultural heritage].

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

1 TRACKING PAST PLANNING EFFORTS

Cities cover just two percent of the earth's surface yet consume about 75% of the world's resources. Given that more of the world's
population now live in cities than in rural areas. It is clear that cities are key to tackling climate change and reducing resource use. Urban
administrators face huge challenges to make cities more sustainable. From traffic jams and inefficient buildings to social inequality and
houselessness, the problems are complex and hard to tackle—but not insurmountable. Some cities are forging ahead with the use of
innovative urban planning, technological and governance models, showing that with the right focus and resources, cities can become
"smart" or more sustainable (The Guardian, 2012). And while positive perceptions of a city are linked tightly to its prosperity, negative
perceptions can also point to economic declines, impacting the city’s attractiveness to prospective residents, businesses and tourists. A well-
conceived master plan can be stepping stone for economic development and improvements in the quality of living. This has to be supported
by strong public institutions and enabling laws so that the document is actually translated into doable projects.

For Srinagar, the first ever comprehensive plan for ensuring its sustainable development was undertaken during the reign of Maharaja Gulab
Singh in the aftermath of devastating floods of 1902. Mr. W.G. Harris, a British Engineer was hired by the State for comprehensive flood
management and drawing plan. However, the city has been on the path of formal planning trajectory since late 1960s. The Srinagar Master
Plan 1971-91 was the first comprehensive planning effort of the State Government, followed by the Master Plan 2000-2021 which is presently
in vogue. The Master Plan-2035 will be third statutory planning exercise for Srinagar city in forty five years. However; the fundamental
question remains as to how much has been achieved on ground vis-à-vis the master plan targets during the plan period of more than four
decades. Certainly the progress has been very dismal on ground not because of poor quality plans but due to administrative inertia and lack
of a strong political will. If we are to make our city economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable, then there is no alternative but to
implement the master plan.

1.1 The Revision of the Master Plan—Issues and Questions


As midterm appraisal, the revision of Srinagar Master Plan-2021 is undertaken under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir
Development Act, 1970 with the objective to understand how the actual growth of the city has taken place vis-à-vis the proposals of the
previous master plan(s). Using GIS tools, analysis has been layered deliberating upon the comparative incremental growth of certain areas
vis-à-vis other areas and the proposals of the master plan. The revision of the Master Plan should answer the following fundamental
questions:
1. Has the actual growth of Srinagar followed the master plan proposals?

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

2. Why the city continues to be vulnerable despite two major planning efforts?
3. Why is the city facing serious drainage and wastewater treatment problems?
4. Why is the city facing severe congestion wasting millions of man-hours in traffic jams every year?
5. Why have rampant violations of master plan taken place despite the institutional existence of SMC and SDA?
6. Are rampant violations the result of the faulty planning or ineffective regulatory mechanism?
7. Is the archaic legal framework an impediment in the implementation of master plan?
8. Are there planning reasons for the economic underdevelopment of the city?
9. How can planning be used to give impetus to the underdeveloped parts of Srinagar?
The answer to these questions shall lead to the strategic planning and urban development vision for Srinagar and its region arresting the
sluggish growth and making the city and its region inclusive and sustainable. The strategic vision shall ensure sustained economic
development of the city, improve the quality of the life of its citizens, and address the disaster vulnerability of the city. The floods of
September, 2014 are a watershed in the economic and social development of the city as major business and residential areas were under
deluge for a long time, hence the future of the city is connected to its resilience to face the disasters.

The Master Plan Srinagar 1971-91 (first Master Plan) acknowledged the existence of flood absorption basins and water bodies in its east, west
and south and the constraints of seismography in the southwest direction. The master plan covered an area of 236 sq. km. including 62 rural
settlements with projected population of 8.66 lac. In view of the limitations of vertical development due to low bearing capacity of soil, the
Master Plan earmarked the highlands of Soura-Buchpora in north and Zainakot Karewa in west for the expansion of city however restricting
the growth of Pampore-Wuyan Karewas adjacent to Airport due to their economic value and aeronautical distance and seismicity. The Master
Plan added 5.36 sq. miles in north up to Buchpora Road, 2.15 sq. miles on North West up to Gagarzo Saidpora Spill Channel. The expansion of
the mother city was expected to accommodate 500,000 people. It also proposed the development of three satellite townships in Buchpora-
Pandach area, Pampore Karewa on the southern side of Pampore Town and one industrial township at Zainakote Karewa—for a population of
about 165,000. The Master Plan termed the expansion further south across flood spill channel though faulty but indispensable. It recommended the
protection of the population between Natipora-Nowgam Road in the east and Baghat-Budgam Road in the west from floods because of the
already settled population in the housing colonies of Natipora, Rawalpora, Barzulla Industrial area. The area was proposed to take 100,000
population. It also envisaged the area around Brari Numabal, Arampora-Kursu Loop area to be a massive and high rise development after the
construction of grand trunk road cum sewer through Nallamar, development of Central Lake in the city and stabilization of soil.

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

In order to mitigate the problems arising out of development on the west in


Bemina-Barthana area due to higher water tables, these areas till recently
continued to be marshy and part of flood absorption basins. Therefore, the
Master Plan-1991 recommended the creation of three number artificial lakes
of 11, 22 and 12 acres each. Water of these lakes was proposed to be
connected with the covered or open drains proposed to run parallel to right
bank of Flood Supplementary channel up to Parimpora and it was provided
either to be connected with the treatment plant or pumped into the
Parimpora Nallah as may be economical. The areas got developed with huge
population between the River Jhelum and the Flood Spill Channel but the
measures suggested were not implemented, jeopardizing the safety of the
citizens with persistent problems of drainage.

There was a plan holiday kind of scenario from 1991 – 2001 and the Master
Plan-1991 was illogically extended up to 2001, although an effort for the
preparation of second Master Plan was also made through National Figure 2.1 - Growth Direction Master Plan 1971-91
Institute of Urban Affairs in mid-1980s. The Master Plan 1971-91 was more
succinct and elaborate in understanding the city of Srinagar in comparison to the Master Plan 2000-21, however both the Master Plans failed
to give Srinagar a safe direction. The failure may also be attributed to archaic institutional structure of urban local bodies including SMC
and the local authority (SDA), concerned departments etc entrusted with the implementation of the Master Plans.

The Master Plan explained that the city was growing along National Highways, district roads, major peripheral roads of Srinagar and
hesitantly towards silted up flood absorption basins. The Master Plan identified the trend of development in lateral directions, constraints of
expansion towards flood absorption basins, water bodies and mountains existing around, constrains of seismography in the southwest,
limitation of vertical development due to poor bearing capacity of soil, deteriorating conditions of arboriculture all around, rising costs of
land, growth of population, immigration and outmigration, imbalanced industrial growth, dwindling economic activity, inadequate roads,
least possible involvement of agriculture and horticulture lands, cost of development, efficient transportation network, utilization of malyari
land in the old city for social/community infrastructure. The general understanding of the issues and the diagnosis of the problem by the
Master plan was not followed by a scientific treatment of these problems and issues like—

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Tracking Past Planning Efforts

 Prescription of Building line for the roads in the core city where
historically building line merges with the right of way, thereby
most of the buildings having come up adjacent to the road
becoming a violation;
 The Circular Road Project which preceded the first master plan
was subsumed in the master plan with the proposals for widening
of roads in the core city involving the acquisition of structures,
adversely affecting the urban design and the built heritage of city.
The Circular Road Project is not even 50% complete after the
elapse of almost five decades;
 Zoning regulations provide for setbacks and ground coverage
whereas the average plot size and dwelling unit make it
impossible to construct the habitable dwelling unit also becoming
an impediment in the preservation of the existing structures; and
 The byelaws which should never have been applied to the heritage
core city as they provided for limited ground coverage, FAR and
fixed building line were applied to the core city leading to its Figure 2.2 Proposed Growth (Master Plan 2000-21)
dilapidation. This was compounded by persistent neglect, two decades of turbulence, absence of heritage policy incentivising the
conservation of heritage in the core city.
The Master Plan did not provide any solution to the sanitation problem of the city especially the historic Conservative Surgery including
repairs on both banks of the River Jhelum. The Master Plan 1971-91 and the development norms prescribed by the master plan discouraged
the conservation of the built heritage and the repair and reconstruction of dilapidated structures, might have been the reasons for slowly
converting the city into a slum. The Master Plan directly borrowing from the western planning concepts prescribed the building line,
setbacks, ground coverage for the core area which might have been appropriate for new areas with large plot size but created impediment in
the conservation of the valuable heritage and discouraged the redevelopment of the blighted areas. This policy continued in the Master Plan
2000-21 adversely affecting redevelopment, conservation and rejuvenation of the different areas in the core city. The planning and the urban
design of the core is fast disappearing and if timely interventions are not made the historic core may disappear altogether after a few
decades. The historic urban pattern, nuances of planning, the colonial and vernacular style of construction are being replaced by glass and

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

aluminium façade affecting the ambience of the old city. Even the historic nuances of planning in the city have been drastically affected
mainly by government interventions starting from the Circular Road Project and followed by the two Master Plans.

The Master Plan Srinagar 2000-21 was prepared by


Figure 2-3: Comparison of landuse proposed in MP Srinagar-2021
Srinagar Development Authority through its
and Existing Residential development-2015
Consultant—Mr. Mohammad Sultan Pampori, 3000
Retired Chief Town Planner and the Architect of
2500
Master Plan 1971-91. The master plan covered an
area of 416 Sq. Km adding 126 new villages in the 2000
local area and horizon population of 23.5 lacs. The
major spatial development proposals of Master 1500
Plan-2021 covered the areas from—
1000
- Buchpora to foothills of north and the area in
the North from Zakura upto Nagbal. 500
- Saidpora to right bank of river Jhelum upto
0
Shallabugh Numbal on the northeast

South

Southeast
East

Northwest
North

West

Northeast

Southwest
- Mujgund to Narbal on the west side
- Soibugh and Ompora on the southwest;
Wathura and Wagura on the south Proposed Residential Land Use (HA) 2021 Existing Residential Land Use (HA) 2015
- Gallandar in the southeast and Khrew on the
east side
One of the key advantages of the use of GIS Technologies has been the precise analysis of the landuse. The master plan revision involved
both the analysis of the actual landuse as in December 2015 and also its comparison vis-à-vis the projections of the Master Plan-2021
interpolated for 2015. For example, in the Southeast, the areas in the Khrew-Khunmoh have not developed as envisaged in the Master Plan.
Similarly there are areas in the South and southeast which were identified for development have not picked up to the extent these were
proposed in the Master Plan.

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

The second step after the completion of the existing landuse plan in
December 2015 was to delve deep into the proposals of the Master
Plan and check them vis-à-vis the actual spatial development of
Srinagar as it stood in 2015. Even the cursory look at the Master plan
will indicate huge gaps between the proposed landuse plan and the
actual spatial development in 2015. The major gap is between the
residential, public and recreation uses. In order to make the figures
comparable the proposed landuse-2021 has been proportionately
reduced for the year 2015. Detailed analysis of the data indicates that
a gap of about 27 Sq. Km. exists in the overall developed landuse and
major part of the gap (20 Sq. Km.) is attributed by residential landuse
only.

Further insight into the details indicates that some areas which were
earmarked for huge residential development could not take off at all.
The comparison of the landuse proposals of the Master Plan-2021 Figure 2.4: Existing Growth Patterns
with the Existing Landuse Plan-2015 in different directions indicates
that the areas in the Northwest of the city could not see much growth as was foreseen. Only 25% of the area proposed in the Master Plan has
actually developed. The south-eastern areas of Srinagar and the areas in its east have also remained grossly under-developed. Most of the
development has occurred in a cone shape on the North-South axis. Southern areas falling in the cone between Natipora Road and the New
Airport Road have grown adequately to the extent of around 65%.

Going further deep into the history of Master Plans starting from the pioneering Master Plan 1971-91, the areas in the north-west, south-east
and east have been persistently proposed to be developed since first master plan but have remained underdeveloped. The area has either
not developed at all or are sparsely developed with negative implications of ribbon development. Although 45 years have passed from the
inception of first master plan but the development has not taken off in these areas either warranting course correction or rethinking of
urban development strategy. Apart from technically flawed landuse strategy adopted as discussed above, the previous master plan
suffered on following grounds:
 Contradictory and highly generic building norms and development regulations;

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Chapter-II
Tracking Past Planning Efforts

 Irrational building lines proposed for core city roads and the existing Pantha Chowk-Parimpora bypass;
 Slack landuse policy that promoted unwanted development, etc;
1.2 Way Forward
Though master plan revision is a statutory obligation mandated by the J&K Development Act 1970 and its rules after every five years, the
present master plan has undergone its revision after fifteen long years. The Master Plan-2021 having lived more than half of its life by 2015
had become almost irrelevant and non-responsive to ground realities of the city. Given these facts, its revision though delayed will provide
an opportunity to address the city’s developmental issues and provide a framework for its future growth strategy. The Master Plan-2035
will have focus on transforming Srinagar into a vibrant and liveable city. The major highlights of the Master Plan are as follows:

 Srinagar Metropolitan Planning limits have been increased from the existing 416 Sq. Km. to 766 Sq. Km., i.e.; 84% increase from the
existing Master Plan limits. The Local Area expansion stands approved by the State Cabinet vide SRO 429 dated 21.10.2014 (include
the municipal areas of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and that of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore, Khrew ULBs and additional 160
villages as outgrowths in twelve tehsils of Six districts viz; Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Bandipora nd Baramula).
 Srinagar Metropolitan Region is expected to have a total population of 32.50 lac (including overhead population of 3.90 lac) by 2035 up
from basic population of 21.90 in 2015 (including overhead population of 3.00 lac).
 Incentivised landuse policy through Green FAR, TDRS and Town Planning Schemes.
 Comprehensive land suitability analysis based on scientific and Mathematical models w.r.t. topographical features.
 Comprehensive identification and mapping of heritage buildings/precincts for revitalization and social inclusion of core city –
Srinagar.
 Policies for promotion of local craft and tourism on sustainable norms.
 Focus on variable FSI/FAR, vertical development.
 Smart and Sustainable road network development supported by robust Public Transport and Non-Motorized Transport system.
 A unique zone based Development Code aiming at promoting development rather than constricting it based on development intensity
and natural setting.
 Use of GIS technology.

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Chapter-III
Defining the Planning Process of Master Plan

3 DEFINING THE PLANNING PROCESS OF MASTER PLAN

The JK Development Act [Chapter III(a) & (b)] defines Master plan as to—
a) define the various zones into which the Local Area may be divided for the purposes of development and indicate the
manner in which the land in each zone is proposed to be used (whether by the carrying out thereon of development or
otherwise) and the stages by which any such development shall be carried out; and
b) serve as a basic pattern of framework within which the zonal development plans of the various zones of the Local Area
may be prepared
The Act also provides (Chapter II) that—
1) as soon as may be after the commencement of this act, the Govt. may, by notification in the Government Gazette,
declare any area to be local area for purposes of this Act and constitute therefore an authority to be called the
Development Authority; and
2) the Authority shall be a body corporate by the name of the Local Area having perpetual succession and a common seal
with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall in the
said name sue and be used.
3.1 Notification of Local Area—Srinagar Metropolitan Region [SMR]

With rapid pace of urbanisation, the city's size has been increasing in range and impact. Growth of Srinagar Urban Agglomeration (UA) has
been very fast (13.26 lac in 2011) which can be adjudged from the trend of decadal growth change (2.66%) in urban population during the
last decade. Many villages in adjoining tehsils of Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipore and Pulwama have already been engulfed by the
urban sprawl of Srinagar city. Keeping this in view, the Local Area limits of Greater Srinagar have been extended from 416 sq. km to 766 sq.
km i.e.; 84% increase from the existing Master Plan limits. The area includes Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Cantonment Board and four
municipalities of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore, Khrew towns– notified as the Local Area Limits of SDA1— to be designated as “Srinagar
Metropolitan Region [SMR]”. The Local Area of SDA notified vide SRO-43 dated 2nd February 1971, SRO 28 of 2003 and SRO 429 dated
21-10-2014 is shown as [Annexure-A] of this report. As per SRO 429 dated 21-10-2014, some 162 village settlements were added to the Local
Area of SDA of fifteen tehsils and five Sub-Divisions in six districts2. Spreading over an area of 766 sq. km., the SMR is inhabited by a

1
Notification No: SRO 429 dated 21.10.2014.
2 Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Baramulla

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Chapter-III
Defining the Planning Process of Master Plan

population of 17.27 lac persons as of 2011 (Census of India 2011) excluding the estimated overhead population of around 3.0 lac which
includes the Defense forces, Service population and Darbar Move population.

Srinagar due to its limitations for growth with hills and strategic uses in South and Southeast, fragile wetlands in east, west and northwest
has limited holding capacity, hence major thresholds to its growth. The city is surrounded by a number of towns including Budgam,
Ganderbal, Khrew, Pampore, Cantonment Board and Census towns of Khunmoh, Nowgam, Lasjan, Ichgam and Kralpora which are part of its city
region. The city region has six towns above 10,000 population with one town having population more than 30,000 as of 2015. During next
two decades, it is estimated that eight towns will have population more than 10,000 population and five towns above 30,000 while one town
will have population above 50,000 by 2035.

As per the Act, Srinagar Development Authority being the custodian of Master Plan is supposed to fulfil the following objectives as
elucidated below—
--“to promote and secure the development of the local area for which it is constituted according to plan and for that purpose the Authority shall have the
power to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of land and other property, to carry out building, engineering and other operations, to execute works in
connection with supply of water and electricity, disposal of sewerage and other services and amenities and generally to do anything necessary or expedient
for purposes of such development and for purposes incidental thereto”.

The Chapter IV, Sub-section (1) of the J&K Development Act, 1970 authorises the Authority to make any modifications to the master plan
or the zonal plan as it thinks fit being modifications which, in its opinion, do not effect important alterations in the character, of the plan and
which do not relate to the extent of land uses or the standards of populations density. However, sub-section (2) of the Chapter IV provides
that the Government may make any modifications to the master plan or the zonal plan whether such modifications are of the nature
specified in sub section (I) or otherwise.

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Chapter-III
Defining the Planning Process of Master Plan

3.2 Data Collection and


Analysis
The revision of the
Master Plan-2021 went
through various
milestones ranging
from data collection to
stakeholder
consultations, analysis
and synthesis of data,
drafting of proposals
and their calibration on
ground. The
Department in
collaboration with
SDA constituted a
number of survey
teams who were
entrusted with the
responsibility of
carrying out landuse
and household
surveys. An in-house
GIS cell was
established to
transform all data into GIS format. The Survey and Investigation Division, Town Planning Organisation Kashmir made a complete road
inventory of about 550 km. Also Opinion Survey was held by this office to ascertain the will of people to shift from private mode to public
mode. In addition, point persons were used to liaison with all departments for the collection of departmental inputs. A series of one-to-one

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Chapter-III
Defining the Planning Process of Master Plan

meetings with HoDs all line departments were held in the offices of Divisional commissioner Kashmir and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar.
Relevant reports were also collected for their review and use in the master plan proposals. The department at its best kept a track of all
important projects and ensured that these projects are incorporated within this master plan. The database collected from primary and
secondary sources was tabulated and consolidated for standardisation and projections. Two important ingredients for the revision of master
plan are city‘s Demography and its Workforce Participation rate which are discussed below.

3.3 Demography
The State of Jammu and Kashmir State had a population of about 12.54 million in 20113 making it the 19th most populated state in India.
Being the 10th largest state in the country in terms of area, the State has a density about 56 persons per sq. km. which is fairly below the
national average of 382 per sq. km. The State recorded a decadal growth rate of about 23% from 2001-2011 exceeding the national growth
rate of about 17%. Out of total population of Jammu and Kashmir, 27% (3,433,242) people live in urban areas. During last decade, urban
population has increased by 36.42% higher than the national average. The macro-level spatio-demographic variations observed at the
regional level as per Census 2011 reflect that the Kashmir Region with 16% of the State‘s total geographical area accounts for 43% of its total
population load. Against the State‗s average urbanisation of 27%, the Kashmir Region has 32% of its people living in urban areas. As per the
census 2011, the Kashmir Region accounts for 63% of the total urban population of the State. Among [22] districts, Srinagar is the highest
urban district with 99% of its people living in urban areas. With rapid pace of urbanisation, the city's influence has been increasing in range
and impact. Growth of Srinagar Urban Agglomeration (13.26 lac) has been very fast which can be adjudged from the trend of decadal
change (2.66%) in urban population during last decade. Many villages adjoining tehsils of Budgam, Ganderbal and Pulwama have already
been engulfed by the urban sprawl of Srinagar city. Keeping this in view, the Metropolitan limits of Greater Srinagar notified as the Local
Area Limits of SDA have been extended from 416 sq. km. to 766 sq. km to include the municipal areas of Srinagar Municipal Corporation
and that of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore, Khrew ULBs and additional 160 villages as outgrowths in twelve tehsils of six districts. Spreading
over an area of 766 sq. km., the proposed Srinagar Metropolitan Region is inhabited by a population of 17.27 lac persons (Census of India
2011) excluding the overhead population of around 3.0 lac which includes the Defense forces, Service population and Darbar Move
population as per following:
i. Darbar Move Population = 40,000
ii. Defense Population = 2,00,000 (worked out @ 100 PPH density for 2200 ha presently under defense use)

3
Census of India 2011

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iii. Service Population (@3%) = 50,000

As such, the sum total of population worked out for the planning area of 766 sq. km. for the base year [2015] is 20.0 lac (approx.). The
density of population for the area is calculated at 2600 per Sq. Km. (including overhead population) and 2300 per Sq. Km. net of overhead
population. During last decade (2001-2011), population in the Local Area has increased from 14.51 [2001] lac to 17.27 in 2011 which was
projected to 18.50 Lac in 2015 at the average annual growth rate of 1.8%. More than 77% [2,05,224] households are presently urban with
average household size as 6.46. As per Census 2011, the planning region consists of 2,65, 023 households with 59,799 in rural areas. It has
been found that the household formation rate [2.5%] for the region is higher than its population growth which will have direct implications
on the housing demand in the area. Sex Ratio is an important demographic indicator of social and economic development of female
population in any region or country. As per the Census 2011 figures, the urban Sex Ratio for the Srinagar Metropolitan Region is 892 against
the rural sex ration of 934. Literacy Rate is another equally important demographic attribute. The literacy level for the area as per Census
2011 is 70% for urban areas and 56% for rural areas. The average literacy rate [60%] for the local Area needs to be improved by promoting
universalisation of primary and secondary education as a potential ingredient for improving the local economic development.

3.4 Population Projection


After the synthesis of existing database available on the socio-economic parameters for local area, future projections of these parameters are
among essential inputs for the allocation of land for different activities. Projections are an extrapolation of historical data (population v/s time)
into the future. The accuracy of population projections is generally considered directly proportional to the size of the existing population
and the historical rate of growth, and inversely proportional to the length of the time projection. It helps to develop the policy and strategies
for the future development.

This section will cover the population and employment estimations of the Local Area for the future. The projections of all relevant inputs
including population have therefore, been made for the horizon years 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035. In view of rapid transportation, flux
in economic activity and extraneous inputs, the population projections have been based on following major assumptions:
a) population growth of the Srinagar Metropolitan Region will remain more or less constant as per the existing growth rate [1.8%] up to 2020;
b) from 2020-2030, population is assumed to grow @ 2.0% for both urban and suburban areas;
c) finally from 2030 onwards for the remaining plan period up to 2035, the growth rate for the local area is assumed to register a minimal decrease
to 1.80.

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As per data, the population of the Srinagar Metropolitan Region [SMR] in 2011 was 17.28 lac as against 14.51 lac in 2001 registering increase
of 2.76 lac population at the annual growth rate of 1.76%. Excluding overhead population like Defense, Darbar Move and Service Population etc
of 3.0 lac, the total base year population for the region is estimated at 18.90 lac in 2015. Based on adopted growth rates, the [Basic Population] of
Srinagar Metropolitan Region is projected from 18.90 lac in 2015 to around 28.50 lac by 2035. Based on these parameters, the overhead population
is projected as follows:
i. Darbar Move Population [@2%] = 55,000
ii. Defence Population = 2,00,000 (constant at increased density)
iii. Service population[@5] = 1,40,000

The differential growth rates for the Srinagar Metropolitan Region have been assumed keeping urbanisation and economic development of
the region in view. The growth rates assumed are based on conservative estimates and consistent with other cities of similar category. These
figures are also based on the premise that the proposals in the Master Plan will give some impetus to the growth of the region. To sum up,
the Srinagar Metropolitan Region is expected to have a total population of 32.50 lac in 2035 up from 20.25 lac in 2011 including projected overhead
population of about 4.0 lac.

3.5 Workforce Participation Rates for Srinagar Metropolitan Region


A study of Srinagar city‗s economy indicates major trends in its development which have relevance in the process of urban planning.
Analysis of the city‗s scope of development in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors is imperative to provide a guideline for its overall
development and creation of potential centres of development. In the absence of a detailed study of the economic base of the region, an
analysis of Workforce Participation Rate and Occupational characteristics will give some idea about the relative working importance of
different sectors of economy and its functional orientation; thereby throwing some light on the directions of future growth of the city at
large. Workforce participation rate of the [main] workers shows 3% decrease during last three decades from 1981 to 2011. The WFPR has
reduced from 29.30% in 1981 to 26.70% 2011. During the same period the WFPR of all workers including marginal workers increased from
30.7% to 32.8%. This is reflection of the main workers getting converted into marginal workers--an indicator of under-development and seasonal
unemployment. In the same period, the WFPR in case of towns on the periphery of the city and part of city region showed significant growth
from 25.50% in 1981 to 32% in 2011 whereas WFPR including marginal workers showed significant increase from 33% to 43%. The
comprehensive data over a period of three decades reveals that the towns on the periphery of the city have higher WFPR and WFPR main
workers than the mother city warranting drastic measures for putting the city on economic development trajectory.

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The capacity of a city to provide variety of jobs and to absorb its working population in various sectors of economy is an indicator of
economic viability. For Srinagar city, the share of gainfully occupied persons―Work Force Participation Rate (WFPR)― against the
dependent and non-working population as per the census 2011 is 26%. During last decade, the workforce in Srinagar city has remained
almost constant showing a very minimal decadal increase of 0.77% against the 18% population growth for the corresponding period. WFPR
observed for towns incorporated within the Local Area is 31% much higher than the mother city. Cantonment Board [47%] and Khrew [30%]
are having the highest workforce participation rate among four towns
Figure 3-1 : Percentage of Workers (Baseline)
and Cantonment Board (CB). Among Census towns incorporated in the
Local Area, Ichgam has the highest WFPR (40%) followed by Kralpora with
8.50%
37%. The average WFPR for the entire Local Area is 25% with urban areas 5%
having 27% and 18% for rural areas. The overall workforce rate for rural
areas including the marginal workers is 32% which may be attributed to
their seasonal occupation in agriculture practices. Such workforce
participation is fairly low when compared with other productive cities in
India. It is alarming to note that about 68% of the population in the Local
Area is constituted by non-workers (Census of India 2011) which depicts
very high rate of unemployment in the region. By conservative estimates,
the WFPR for a metro city like Srinagar should not have been less 40 -
Primary Workers
45% of the total population. The WFPR of the Metropolitan Region as
Secondary Workers 86.50%
shown above is not healthy and indicates significant decline for rural
areas. Tertiary Workers

Workforce of an area is composed of all persons who are gainfully employed or engaged in productive activity across three economic
sectors. Primary Sector consisting of Agricultural Labourers and Cultivators only accounts for 8.5% of the total main workers (Census 2011).
During last decade, the primary workers have decreased in percentage indicating increasing influence of urban forces in the area. The
corresponding share of workforce resulting because of decrease has been either left jobless or engaged in tertiary sector which
predominantly constituted by the services sector. There is no denying the fact that services sector is growing as a dominant contributor to
GDP in developing countries, but diversification of economy and multiplier effects are found more in secondary sector. Secondary sector
also indicates insignificant share of workers with around 5% workers engaged in the sector in 2011. Unfortunately there has been no
significant increase in the secondary sector workers during last two decades reflecting poor economic base of the city. Tertiary sector on the

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other hand constitutes a major share of about 86.5% of the total workers at the Local Area level. This trend of exorbitant increase in the
tertiary sector is indicative of the fact that the workers are engaged mainly in the services sector like government/private jobs, businesses
and informal sector jobs etc.

The study of economic base is important for understanding and


Figure 3-2 : Projected Workforce Participation-2035
evaluating the effect of economic development on physical
environment. For the study of the economy of SMR, a general 5%
description of economic structure of the region at present and how
15%
it has developed in the past will give inputs for the possible future
economic structure. This is being used in the absence of a long
term policy document for the economic development. Major trends
have to be analysed to appreciate their relevance to physical
planning. Understanding of the trend in the development of
different sectors of economy during the last two decades or so is
prerequisite for the forecast of reliable occupational structure.
From the figures, it is evident that the change in economic Primary Workers 80%
structure observed during last decade is not a healthy Secondary Workers
characteristic for the city. If the growing share of tertiary sector is Tertiary Workers
not arrested and the secondary sector with insignificant share is
not given impetus, the city will cease to be vibrant economically. Consistent with this policy of growth, the tertiary sector will have to
register percentage reduction in the share of workforce participation. Physical planning and urban growth directly affect the area under
non-urban activities like cultivation which in turn results in reduced potential to hold employment in agriculture sector. Therefore, to
ensure high productivity and employability of the region at large and create a balance between secondary and tertiary sectors, macro-level
distribution of work force has to be reinforced as discussed in subsequent sections.

3.6 Workforce Projections


As discussed in the preceding section, the probable occupational structure for the horizon years is used as a policy measure to alleviate the
economic problems of the region. The estimate of prospective workforce structure has been based on certain assumptions and the

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explanation of underlying assumptions is necessary to ensure the realization of the objectives of the Master Plan in totality. Emphasis has
been laid on the strategy to give impetus to the secondary sector so that there is shift from other sectors to secondary sector.

a) The overall Workforce (main workers only) for the horizon year is projected as 35% of the total population4.
b) The basic assumption for projecting WFPR in the SMR is that the agricultural labourers and cultivators will decrease from 8.5% to 3% during plan
period. However; by promoting poultry, dairy farming, sheep husbandry, fisheries and sericulture sectors, a significant number of primary jobs will be
generated. Also by organising these sectors of rural economy around innovation and technology as well as by connecting rural economy with urban
economy, rural employment will go up though specifics cannot be ascertained. For sketching the job profile, it is expected that these sectors should
contribute additional 2% as direct jobs towards the Primary sector.
c) In order to restructure the Sectoral Workforce, the tertiary sector is expected to decline from 86.5% to 82% in next twenty years.
d) The secondary sector is proportionately increased from 5% to 15%.

3.7 Job Profiling for Srinagar Metropolitan Region


1. Primary Sector
Activities associated with the primary sector include agriculture, mining, forestry, farming, grazing, hunting, fishing and quarrying. In 1981
there were 22% of the working population engaged in primary economic activities which reduced to 15% by 2001 and almost 8% in 2011.
Primary sector constituting mainly Cultivators and Agriculture Labourers is assumed to further decrease in SMR from 8.5% to 5%5 during
plan period. It is projected to engage around 50,000 workers with 30,000 main agricultural workers against existing 36,500 workers as of
2011 and 20,000 skilled allied agricultural workers by horizon year 2035. Estimated to be about 3% of the total main workers (9, 97,500) by
2035, the decline in agricultural labourers is attributed to land use conversions to non-farm activities, mechanization of farming and
migration of people from rural to urban areas etc.
2. Secondary Sector
Secondary economic sector involves the activities of manufacturing or processing of raw materials into finished products. Secondary sector
has shown many ups and downs since 1981. In 1981 there were 12% of the working population involved in secondary economic activities,
which reduced drastically to 4.44% in 2011. However, by 2015 a slight increase has been witnessed in the growth of secondary sector

4
[Note: Population projections have been worked out for the „Basic Population‟ and the „Overhead Population‟ separately, so that the impact of overhead population is made minimal as
extraneous entity].

5
(3% as Agricultural labourers and cultivators and 2% as skilled primary workers engaged in allied sectors)

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workers. The Master Plan proposes to give a boost to Industrial economy so that the job creation is enhanced from present 5% as of 2011 to
15% by 2035, adding thereby 1.20 lac new industrial jobs in the local area. The industrial sector needs comprehensive transformation in
coming years if employability of the region is to be increased. The Master Plan proposes a menu of suggestions for the development of
industrial economy in the region. Industrialisation will provide a platform for the economic development of the region shifting from ‗Gig
Economy‟ to a robust and sustained economy. The city is already in the focus of industrial development and the Government has come up
with a draft Industrial Policy, 2016 to facilitate ―ease of doing business‖ in the state. As per estimates a sum total of about 1000 hectares of
land will be required to create 100, 000 direct industrial jobs which will warrant development of Industrial estates SEZs/SIZs over next 20
years at an average industrial density of 125 PPH.6
3. Tertiary Sector
Tertiary economic sector involves activities associated with the distribution of the finished product to the market. Activities associated with
this sector include services –Government and private, transport and communication, retail and wholesale sales, entertainment, restaurants,
media, tourism, insurance, banking, healthcare, and law. The workers population in this category has increased from 66% to 87.78% of total
worker population from 1981 to 2011. In 2015, 89% working population was engaged in this sector of economy. With the improvement in
secondary sector and some agro based activities like sheep farming, fisheries, horticulture, poultry and dairy, working population of tertiary
sector is expected to reduce insignificantly from 89% [2015] to 80% by 2035 as this sector will continue to play an important role in the local
and regional economy. Employment in the tertiary sector is estimated to add as many as 2.90 lac new jobs during next two decades. These
jobs will be created in sectors like Retail and Wholesale, Trade, Commerce, Warehousing Storage, Transport and Communications, Services
and allied activities including the informal sector. Tertiary sector which is the predominant feature of all district headquarter towns will
continue to play an important role in the economy of region but at the same time is expected to decrease proportionately in its share to
secondary sector from 86.5% in 2011 to 80% by 2035 although in absolute terms the share of tertiary jobs will increase from 3.75 lac to 8.0 lac.
The targets which have been set as policy measures are pre-requisite to arrest the deteriorating economic base of the city. Correction to the
basic economic structure has become inevitable which has to be supplemented by robust infrastructure to rejig the city‘s economy during
the plan period of twenty years.

6
Land requirement has been worked out which is exclusive of household and cottage workers

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4 DEFINING FUTURE PLANNING STRATEGY

The earlier sections had a spotlight on city‟s historical perspective, past planning efforts, existing growth trajectory and the basic inputs to
its future planning. It has been established that the review of the Master Plan-2021 is not only reasonably overdue but shall define new
contours of city‟s future development on sustainable parameters. The future planning of Srinagar shall have focus on its historical values,
natural environment, vulnerability and the quality of life in neighbourhoods. Giving these guiding principles, it is necessary to envision
Srinagar city by 2035 and align its future development accordingly.

4.1 Vision-2035
As discussed in previous section, the Srinagar Metropolitan region [SMR] is expected to have a population of around 3.0 million by 2035
which will require 8000 hectares of additional land. Around two lac dwelling units will be added in the local area and more than one million
jobs will be required. The Master Plan-2035 is viewed as an opportunity towards planning for change and sustained economic growth of the
city. The master plan defines the future strategy in light of its vision for Srinagar as a city of opportunities. Articulating a shared vision for the
future of Srinagar city, the master plan envisages specific actions for reaching that future. For a long term sustainable vision of Srinagar—smart &
sustainable development, economically empowered growth, and better quality of life—the city has to be treated as a sustainable ecosystem with
the following guiding principles of its vision:
Principle 1
Long term vision of Srinagar based on sustainability; intergenerational, social and economic equity and its individuality
(Land Suitability)
Principle 2
Long term economic and social security of Srinagar (Economic and Social Development)
Principle 3
Recognizing the intrinsic value of biodiversity and ecosystems ensuring provisions to protect and restore them (Biodiversity Conservation)
Principle 4
Recognize and build on distinctive characteristics of Srinagar including their human and cultural values, history and natural systems (Heritage and
Conservation)
Principle 5
Empower people fostering participation (Public Participation)
Principle 6
Enable cooperative networks towards a common sustainable future
Principle 7
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Enable continual improvement based on accountability, transparency and good governance (Implementation)

4.2 Major Considerations for Futuristic Planning- The Determinants


The spatial expansion of Srinagar as is evident from time series data of last century is a testimony to the fact that wetlands and flood
absorption basins have become soft targets for urbanization. The September, 2014 flood has become a watershed for the future ‘planning and
development’ of the Valley. Out of the total area of 766 sq. km, almost 34% of the planning area (262 sq. km.) was under floods in 2014. As per
the details of the areas/villages falling under different categories of flood zonation provided by I&FCD, 125 sq. km fall under
undevelopable areas whereas about 136.50 sq. km are vulnerable to floods. Besides, 11% area (88 sq. km) is located beyond 1670 threshold
contour (>1670 elevation). This limits the availability of area essentially suitable for development. Integrating landuse planning with
environmental factors has become inevitable for the sustainable development of Srinagar. Though Srinagar has central location in the
settlement pattern of the Valley, the city has many odds to its expansion which warrant course correction at some point of time. Last four
decades of “urbanization” has compromised these fragile environmental resources. Wetlands, lakes, flood absorption basins, hillocks, forest,
wildlife and low-lying areas etc are integral components of its ecosystem which have to be central to city‟s planning. Due to rapid growth of
population and unplanned urbanization, the quality of environment is fast degrading. Unfortunately, the water bodies and their connecting
ecosystems have not been researched in detail. Khushalsar and Anchar wetlands are facing serious threats from unplanned urbanization
along their shoreline. The Dal Lake is connected to Jhelum, its outfall channels go to Brari Numbal, Gilsar and Khushalsar. Water from
Khushalsar goes through to Anchar which is also fed by the Sindh Nallah. The Sindh Nallah also feeds the Rakhi Shalbug, Harran forest and
then joins the Jhelum River at Sangam.

The complex aquatic ecosystems and their relationships need to be studied in detail on „part-to-whole intrinsic basis‟. Apart from huge
environmental and ecological value, these water bodies/wetlands are potential sites for tourism and local economic development.
Historically, lakes and wetlands were not only the reserves of biodiversity but also acted as flood sponges. Wetlands especially in the south,
southwest, west and northwest have been acting as flood retention basins protecting the city in times of floods. These flood plains including the wetlands
have been urbanized in the aftermath of the Master Plan 1971-91, making city more vulnerable to natural disasters. The floods of September 2014
exposed the vulnerabilities of the city and the inevitability of a cautious and structured planning process for its economic and physical
sustenance. The structure of the planning process has to be comprehensive and hierarchical using the scientific data in the form of layers
based on flood zonation, eco-fragility and seismic vulnerability. It is also clear that addressing environmental issues at city level will not be
possible without appropriate urban planning systems. Resilience to potential environmental disasters can be increased through proper urban
landuse planning (UN-HABITAT, 2010). The government will have to come up with unequivocal policy for the preservation of the ecosystems

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of the city to increase its resilience to the disasters including the floods. The Master Plan-2035 used time series data to quantify the
urbanization of the wetlands and emphasises their preservation by creating buffers as shock absorbers and physical boundaries for their
delineation. There is no sustainable solution to the unabated expansion of city into low lying areas and flood absorption basin except for doing a course
correction at some point of time. The master plan provides that opportunity for the city and draws the broad contours of its future development.

4.2.1 Land Suitability and Environmental Sustainability


Land Suitability and Environmental Sustainability are two key parameters of city‟s future planning strategy. The city of Srinagar is located
in an area with many geographical disadvantages ranging from terrain to ecology. On the basis of scientific land suitability analysis, the
areas have been classified into highly suitable, moderately suitable, suitable and unsuitable categories from urban development standpoint.
Proposals are mainly based on the most suitable and moderately suitable lands and the lands which are not suitable have been reserved
environmental sustainability. Land Suitability is a unique feature of the Master Plan involving creation of layered GIS data based on
important parameters. Ideally the Master Plan should have been based on multiple GIS layers including flood and earthquake vulnerability,
agricultural productivity, lithology, soil and public infrastructure, however in the absence of some of the layers viz; fault lines, lithology, soil
etc, the following layers were used to evolve the Land Suitability map of LPA:

 Flood vulnerability
 Water bodies, wetlands etc
 Elevation/Slope
 Forest/hills/wildlife
 Saffron fields
 Defense and Special Areas (graveyards and cremation grounds)
 Parks and Gardens

The study reveals that very limited land is actually suitable for any development. Out of the total area of 766 sq. km., 160 sq. km. is already
developed. About 28% area (157 sq. km) is ecologically fragile while 14% area (107 sq. km1) has medium to high vulnerability to floods. In
addition, 4% (31 sq. km) is a restricted area is under defense, parks and graveyards. In crude terms, about 57% of the total area cannot be
used for any development. In a situation where [annually] around 15,000 housing units would need to be constructed for 75,000 additional

1
Part of it is included in ecologically fragile area

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population, an alternative development strategy based on sustainable parameters has to be worked out for accommodating an additional
one million population in a period of 20 years. The underlying principle accordingly is to preserve the ecological footprint of the city and
guide its future growth in areas which are relatively safer and disaster responsive. The city‟s planning has to be responsive to the
vulnerabilities caused by natural disasters like flood, earthquake, landslide and land subsidence. In this connection, a separate section on
“Disaster Mitigation and Management” has been incorporated in this master plan.

4.2.2 Regional Dimension – Planning the Jhelum Valley Floor


Plethora of constraints in the growth of Srinagar city minimises the availability of suitable land for its urban expansion. It further gets
compounded by the extension of SDA limits in areas which are either vulnerable to floods or ecologically fragile. This limits the supply of
land for spatial growth though with the possibility of infill in the North and South and some areas in the west and southwest after securing
these areas by taking flood protection measures. For the absorption of additional 1.2 million people over next two decades ensuring
balanced regional growth, the authorities should be duty bound to develop satellite and dormitory townships as well as promoting growth
of countermagnets in north and south Kashmir under Regional or Sub-Regional Planning framework. The entire Valley Floor needs to be
treated as a single macro planning region with north, south and central Kashmir as major sub-regions for dovetailing its broad landuse policies in an
integrated manner. In the regional settlement hierarchy pattern as discussed earlier, the Kashmir Valley is witnessing growth of following
three major urban nodes:

i. Srinagar Urban Agglomeration i.e.; Srinagar Metropolitan Region (12.75. lac in 2011)
ii. Southern Urban Agglomeration i.e.; Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan (ABM) Urban Agglomeration (1.70 lac in 2011)
iii. Northern Urban Agglomeration i.e.; Baramulla and Sopore (1.60 lac in 2011)
As a regional planning strategy, the south and north countermagnets need to be developed at par with Srinagar Metropolitan Region
besides focussing on the infrastructure development of small and mid-sized towns. In this connection, it is strongly recommended to establish
a Regional Metropolitan Development Authority for the North-South Growth Axis with its focus on key infrastructure projects to infuse
developmental impetus in small and mid-sized towns.

4.2.3 Accommodating Projections


The socio-economic forecasts are among the basic ingredients of city planning. The population assignment based on densities, area
requirements for various uses and policies for local economic development have been decided after precise population and economic
projections. In this master plan, zone-wise densities and other regulations have been proposed depending on the potentials of a zone. It is

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believed that density is an important instrument of the master plan which has not been effectively used in the earlier master plans. The
Master Plan envisages increase in the gross residential densities from the existing maximum level of 200 PPH to over 300 PPH with
commensurate increase in the FAR/FSI for ensuring the preservation of prime agriculture lands and ecologically fragile areas. The average
residential density has been proposed at 150 PPH increased from existing 130 PPH. For new areas, residential density has been proposed at
176 PPH to promote vertical development. The core city or the oldest part of the city has historically been planned as high density
development which unfortunately was equated to slum like situation in the planned documents. The city like any other city with such a
long history was not planned for car but was a pedestrian city with high density of development and mixed landuse. Plans were prepared to
decongest the city and widen the pedestrian streets into motorable streets. The effort called the Circular Road Project predated the first
master plan and was subsumed in the subsequent master plans. Hence, the historic city with extraordinary streetscape started converting
into eclectic architecture destroying the invaluable heritage.

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4.2.4 Market Forces and Past Planning Efforts


The causes for the failure of a master plan are generally embedded in understanding and appreciating the role of market forces. The market
forces determine the nature and type of competitive landuses in space and time. The profound impact of such forces is generally correlated
to economies of scale, agglomeration of economies and greater accessibility. As such, it was deemed necessary to adopt flexible and mixed
landuse policies so that competitive uses are not defied by this master plan. Since Srinagar city has been on a planning trajectory of last more
than four decades, it wouldn‟t advisable to take major departures from previous planning efforts. Continuing the past planning efforts has
become inevitable though some course correction is equally imperative. In this connection, parameters like land suitability, food security,
environmental conservation and safety of people have been used as key determinants of landuse polices envisaged in this master plan. It is
believed that integrating urban planning with environment would be the first step in this direction which shall be followed by a long-term
regional planning strategy as mentioned above.

4.3 Defining the Future Growth Trajectory


Based on these defining planning considerations, the growth trajectory adopted in the Master Plan for the City is based on “a compact growth
model with development scaled to suitability and leveraged as per the hierarchy of road network”. The underlying principle of landuse policy is „the
preservation of ecological resources, protection of agriculturally productive areas and leveraging targeted productive urban lands‟. The three fold
landuse strategy has been arrived at after a structured scientific approach using land suitability and land potential analysis which inter alia
included the multiple layered analysis in Geographic Information System. The landuse policy is also based on the availability of
developable land ensuring long term sustenance of the city and also deciding on densities based on zonal potentials ensuring a sustainable
smart growth of the Srinagar city. The city having faced the worst disaster of century and still grappling with huge economic losses and the
flux in the tourism activity, has to be revitalized and restructured—the Master Plan providing that opportunity.

Physical thresholds play a dominant role in shaping the structure of a city. The structured land suitability analysis was carried out by a
method of successive elimination of critical areas like undevelopable slopes (>30%), ecologically fragile areas, wetlands, water bodies,
forests, floating gardens, etc. Out of the total local area of 766 sq. km., about 57% area by and large is unsuitable for any kind of
development which includes the areas under wetlands and water bodies, forests and wildlife, rakhs and farms etc. Apart from these areas,
23% of the area is restricted for any development which includes the areas earmarked for defense use, graveyards and cremation grounds
etc. In the local area, 107 sq. km. are highly vulnerable or potentially undevelopable. This leaves only about 327 sq. km (43%) in the whole
local area which is developable. On the basis of population projections discussed in the earlier chapters, total developed land requirement is

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pegged at around 145 sq. km (i.e.; about 90% increase on existing area). The Master Plan therefore, envisages two-pronged development
strategy of the infilling development and the development of satellite/dormitory townships in the city region of Srinagar.

Table 4-1: Outline of Proposed Landuse-2035 (Break up)

Sl. No. LANDUSE SUB-CLASSFICATION AREA (Ha) %age


HIGH DENSITY 2514 3.3
MEDIUM HIGH DENSITY 5154 6.7
1 RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY 8192 10.7
LOW DENSITY 4365 5.7
SUB-TOTAL 20225 26.4
COMMERCIAL 250 0.3
DRYPORT / IFC 78 0.1
2 COMMERCIAL CITY CENTRE 45 0.1
DISRICT / SUB CENTRES 78 0.1
SUB-TOTAL 450 0.6
INDUSTRIAL ESTATES 532 0.7
3 INDUSTRAIL & MANUFACTURING SERVICE AND LIGHT INDUSTRY 48 0.1
SUB-TOTAL 596 0.8
GOVT / SEMI-GOVT / 827 1.1
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH 613 0.8
MEDICAL AND HEALTH 303 0.4
4 PUBLIC & SEMI-PUBLIC SOCIO-CULTURAL 13 0.0
UTILITY AND SERVICES 231 0.3
RELIGIOUS 203 0.3
BURIAL AND CREAMTION GROUNDS 286 0.4

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SUB-TOTAL 2475 3.2


ROAD NETWORK 1724 2.3
ROAD NETWORK 1335 1.7
RAILWAY 314 0.4
5 TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTAATION PARKING 42 0.1
AIRPORT 1331 1.7
TERMINALS 127 0.2
SUB-TOTAL 4873 6.4
HOTELS/HUTS/GUEST HOUSES 241 0.3
6 TOURISM TOURIST VILLAGE-CUM-URBAN HUT 20 0.0
SUB-TOTAL 260 0.3
PARKS AND GARDENS 1461 1.9
PLAY-FIELDS / SPORTS STADIUM/PLAYGROUNDS 171 0.2
7 LEISURE & SPORTS
GOLF COURSE 188 0.2
SUB-TOTAL 1820 2.4
CONSERVATION RESERVE 4550 5.9
BIODIVERSITY PARK 239 0.3
8 ECOLOGICAL RESERVE RIVERFRONT AND BUFFERS 278 0.4
CITY FOREST 2790 3.5
SUB-TOTAL 7841 10.2
HERITAGE RESOURCES 40 0.1
FLOATING GARDENS 108 0.1
9 SPECIAL AREAS
SAFFRON FIELDS 3855 5.0
SUB-TOTAL 4004 5.2

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LAKES, WATER BODIES AND NATURAL DRAINAGE 5934 7.8


FOREST AND WILDLIFE 2793 3.6
10 ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
WETLANDS 3891 5.1
SUB-TOTAL 12617 16.5
PADDY LAND 15166 19.8
ORCHARDS 873 1.1
11 AGRICULTURE & ALLIED URBAN AGRICULTURE 3350 4.4
PLANTATION 1626 2.1
SUB-TOTAL 21015 27.4
DEFENCE 472 0.6
12 DEFENCE
SUB-TOTAL 472 0.6
TOTAL 766 100
Note:
 The outline presents an overall structure of landuse distribution. An area of 2500 ha residential area is likely to be covered under mixed landuse
policy spelt out in the Development code which will further reduce the area under residential use to around 55% of the total developed area.

 Also area under Developed use will further increase with the development of Special Investment Corridor for which an area of 2850 ha has been
earmarked in the landuse plan. The SIC may change overall landuse distribution by around 4%.

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Economics of Urban Development

5 ECONOMICS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Healthy and dynamic cities are an integral part of sustained


economic growth. As countries move through the
development process, cities account for an ever-increasing
share of national income. Urban areas generate 55% of Gross
National Product (GNP) in low-income countries, 73% in
middle-income countries, and 85% in high income countries.
The manufacturing and services are usually concentrated in
cities, where they benefit from agglomeration economies and
ample markets for inputs, outputs and labour, and where
ideas and knowledge are rapidly diffused. Governments can
foster economic development, or they can slow it down. The
agglomerative forces and locational inducements that shape
cities—is a useful way of identifying what role governments
should play.

This section reviews the economic forces underlying


urbanization and discusses what State Government can do—
and should not do—if it intends to foster economic growth.

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Economics of Urban Development

The pillars of any state rest on the building blocks of Economy, Environment, Education, Employment and Healthcare. Although each block
is important for the stability and growth of a civilization but ―Economy‖ is the corner stone on which the prosperity of a state rests. One
primary indicator of measuring state income is the ―Gross Domestic Product‖ (GDP). J&K contributes approximately 0.84% to national GDP
and ranks 21st in the list of contributing states. Another important point to understand is the ―base‖ on which the growth multiplication
factor is applied which in case of National GDP is huge compared to small
Figure 5-1: Composition of GSDP 2015-16
sized GSDP of J&K. Therefore, even a small percentage growth on a bigger
base means proportionally bigger incremental growth to National
aggregates in absolute terms compared to a small GSDP base of J&K. In 16%
addition to GSDP, one of the concerning indicators of our state economy is
the fiscal deficit. J&K is among the states with highest fiscal deficit in the
country which measures to 5% for FY 2015 ranking 3rd in the worst list of
deficits after Manipur and Pondicherry and irony is that we rank 2nd in 57% 27%
the list of highest grant receiving states from central government which
amounts to 7.55 billion USD. This makes J&K the most indebted state with
a debt-GSDP ratio of around 55% in 2015-16. Debt-to-GSDP ratio is an
indicator of health of an economy. A lower debt-to-GSDP ratio means an
economy is producing enough to pay back its debts. A higher debt-to- Primary sector (Agriculture) Secondary Sector ( Industries)
GSDP ratio is a highly unfavourable situation. Another socio-economic Tertiary Sector (Services)
indicator of Jammu Kashmir is the per capita income which in case of J&K is Rs. 6057, 858 which is quite low as compared to the national
average of 93,231 and we rank 16th in terms of per capita income among all the Indian states.

5.1 Sectoral composition of J&K’s GSDP


GSDP of J&K State is less than Himachal Pradesh by Rs. 4123 crore despite the fact that area and population of Himachal Pradesh is less
than J&K almost by 45% (Economic Survey Report, 2016). J&K is a hilly state. Its net area (in Indian part) is 1,01,387 sq. km. Its population
(2011 census) is 1.25 crore souls. The forest cover of J&K State is 20% of its total geographical area (comparable). The density is 124 people
per sq. km. Its GSDP (at constant prices 2011-12) for 2015-16 is Rs. 91,806 Crore and the per capita income (NSDP 2015-16) is Rs. 57858 with
a growth rate of 7.79% recorded over 2014-15. The composition of GSDP (2015-16) is as under:

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The three components of J&K‘s GSDP are Agriculture & Allied sector, Industry & Manufacturing and Services. During the last few years of
planning between 2004-05 and 2011-12, the share of agriculture in GDP has fallen by approximately one third from 28.00% to 16%, whereas
the share of industry has remained almost constant and the share of services has improved from 43.71% to 57%. It is observed that services
sector is emerging as an important growth driver and the manufacturing sector is relatively stagnant while agricultural productivity has
decreased significantly. It is a point of concern that the combined contribution from primary and secondary sectors is becoming less than the
lone contribution from service sector which is a very unhealthy condition for sustaining growth in the long run.

J&K needs to focus on its weakest contributor ―Agriculture‖ which ironically supports more than 60% of employment and the effects can be
easily seen in the disparity ratio between average incomes of agriculturists and non-agriculturists which has been increasing since long. This
means that a major population (60% people) of J&K is becoming poorer. Also, keeping in consideration the scope of expansion in
manufacturing sector and Service sector (primarily with tourism industry under its kitty) the major bottleneck that can hold us back is the
Agriculture sector.

The agricultural sector has shown a lower performance due to a number of factors such as illiteracy, insufficient finance, insufficient
irrigation facilities, power availability, inadequate marketing facilities and under-pricing of agricultural products. The average size of the
farms is very small and approximately 90% of land holdings are of the size of 2-4 Kanal, which in turn results in low productivity. The sector
has not adopted modern technology and agricultural practices to a larger extent. Also decline in plan allocations investment and investment
credit are contributing factors.

What needs to be done?

There is an urgent need to keep a vigil on agrarian land which is getting misused by land mafia across the state. The urbanization pressures
have directly impacted the size of land holdings and area under cultivation. In addition, focus has to be made towards agricultural
awareness, efficient irrigation methods, power facilities, marketing, logistics and adequate MSP. Since most parts in J&K have a single crop
in a year, there is a need to promote green housing and other all-weather methods of farming. There is also a need for opening Compressed
Atmosphere Stores and Cold Chain Facilities for increasing the fresh fruit life keeping the contribution of horticulture into consideration.
Other allied activity of agriculture which has a potential to add volumes to our economy is production of Sheep, Poultry, Fish and Dairy
products which we mainly purchase from outside states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. Apart from contributing to GSDP and
providing employment to youth, this allied agriculture industry has a potential to make J&K self-sufficient in terms of food consumables
and milk & dairy products.

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Broad areas of focus for future should be Agricultural Research, Agricultural Extension, Training and Information Services, Marketing and
Processing, Agricultural Credit, Diseases and Pests Control and above all setting of performance targets to concerned departments. Also,
focus should be on sub-sectors like livestock, fisheries, and the Cooperatives. The sooner we realize the backwardness of our primary
sector the faster we increase our chances of emerging as an economically stable state.

There are certain objectives for J&K Government that are echoed through Economic Survey, 2016 as stated below—

 First, J&K state has to revive growth, and that growth has to provide more decent jobs for the large number of labour force, even
while reducing poverty.
 Second, J&K needs to shift from consumption state to production state. There is an urgent need for optimum utilization of savings
especially government savings and household savings, while increasing corporate and infrastructure investment.
 Third, J&K needs macroeconomic stabilization – to bring own inflation, the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit.
5.2 City’s Economy
A study of Srinagar city‗s economy indicates major trends in its development which have relevance in the process of urban planning.
Analysis of the city‗s scope of development in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors carried out in preceding section is imperative for its
holistic development and creation of potential centres of development. In the absence of a detailed study of the economic base of the region,
an analysis of Workforce Participation Rate and Occupational characteristics provides some idea about the relative working importance of
different sectors of economy and its possible functional orientation; thereby throwing some light on the directions of future economic
growth of the city at large.

The capacity of a city to provide variety of jobs to absorb its working population in various sectors of economy is an indicator of its
economic vitality. The Census figures [2011] reveal that the share of gainfully occupied persons―Work Force Participation Rate (WFPR) ―
for Srinagar city is 26%. During last decade, the workforce in Srinagar city has remained almost constant showing a very minimal decadal
increase of 0.77% against the 18% population growth for the corresponding period. WFPR observed for towns incorporated within the Local
Area is 31% much higher than the mother city. Cantonment Board [47%] and Khrew [30%] are having the highest workforce participation
rate among four towns and Cantonment Board (CB). Among Census towns incorporated in the Local Area, Ichgam has the highest WFPR
(40%) followed by Kralpora with 37%. The average WFPR for the entire Local Area is 25% with urban areas having 27% and 18% for rural
areas. Such workforce participation is fairly low when compared with other productive cities in India. It is alarming to note that about 68%
of the population in the Local Area is constituted by non-workers (Census of India 2011) which depicts very high rate of unemployment in
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the region. By conservative estimates, the WFPR for a metro city like Srinagar should not have been less 40 - 45% of the total population. The
WFPR of the Metropolitan Region as shown above is not healthy and indicates significant decline for rural areas. The overall workforce rate
for rural areas including the marginal workers is 32% which may be attributed to their seasonal occupation in agriculture practices.

Workforce of an area is composed of all persons who are gainfully employed or engaged in productive activity across three economic
sectors. Primary Sector consisting of Cultivators and Agricultural Labourers accounts for 8.5% of the total main workers (Census 2011).
During last decade, the primary workers have decreased in percentage indicating increasing influence of urban forces in the area. The
corresponding share of workforce resulting because of decrease has been either left jobless or engaged in tertiary sector which is
predominantly constituted by the services sector. There is no denying the fact that services sector is growing as a dominant contributor to
GDP in developing countries, but diversification of economy and multiplier effects are found more in secondary sector. Secondary sector
also indicates insignificant share of workers with around 5% workers (Source: Census 2011). Unfortunately there has been no significant
increase in the secondary sector workers during last two decades reflecting poor economic base of the city. Tertiary sector on the other hand
constitutes a major share of about 86.5% of the total workers at the Local Area level. This trend of exorbitant increase in the tertiary sector is
indicative of the fact that the workers are engaged mainly in the services sector like government/private jobs, businesses and informal
sector jobs etc.

The careful interpretation of the occupational structure of Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) is viewed as highly skewed with urban and
rural economies in the region yet to take-off. By careful estimates, the SMR will need around 5.50 lac additional direct jobs1 over next twenty years
maintaining the average family-job ratio at 2.0. Under BAU scenario, the region will add another 2.75 lac jobs with about 50% jobs in retail
business and informal sector. Under this scenario, the city will be riddled with poor tax base to finance its infrastructure and public services.
In order to increase the employability of the area and per capita income above the national average, a structured policy based on a long-term
vision is a prerequisite supported by strong institutions and enabling systems. This is not only to cope up with present joblessness but
providing jobs to future population. Though difficult but this is quite doable for the government provided systems are sufficiently
strengthened and institutions mobilised for this challenge in right direction. There is no question of not doing this otherwise city will not
only lose its prominence but end up with fractured institutions, increased crime rates and social anarchy. In this regard, the Master Plan
envisages a multi-pronged strategy and recommends following inevitable actions by the government in a time bound manner—

1
Presently [2015] the SMR has 4.34 lacs direct jobs at just 26% workforce participation rate which shows unemployment by around 1.70 lac jobs for this area only.

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 diversification of agriculture and allied sectors for increased production and productivity which will lead to retention and increase in
green collar jobs;
 skill development and promotion of local crafts,
 connecting heritage and local crafts with tourism;
 revival of sick and dysfunctional industrial units
 development of integrated industrial estates
 development of agro-based industries
It is believed that the economic growth of city cannot take off unless adequate and uninterrupted power supply is ensured and robust and
efficient physical connectivity is developed. As such, the Government should focus on power generation and construction of efficient road
connectivity.

5.3 Rural Economy


Rural economy by and large consists of agro-economy and small scale village industries which are taken care of by the Khadi and Village
Industries Board. In the absence of adequate data, the rural economy has been limited to agro-economy only, however the workforce
engaged in small-scale village industries has been incorporated in the overall WFPR of the rural areas. It is in place to mention here that
small-scale industrial units in villages which are run on highly disorganised and unregulated manner have a huge employment potential
provided these activities are organised into Village Service Centres with all necessary facilities. The Government should facilitate them
through micro-credits, skill development and training for diversification.

5.3.1 Agro-Economy
Agriculture is an important economic activity of Srinagar Metropolitan Region as significant part of the area is still under agriculture. The main agricultural produce
comprises rice, vegetables, saffron, cereals and pulses. In view of the fact that landuse conversions continue unabated which can significantly reduce the reserve agriculture
lands in future. Large-scale unplanned urbanisation and haphazard growth of peripheral rural villages are engulfing prime agricultural lands and threatening future agri-
reserves essential for food security. The data received from Director Agriculture Kashmir reveals that 20,000 hectares of prime agricultural land has been lost non-
agricultural uses in Kashmir valley. The expansion of city and rural settlements in an unplanned manner has to be stopped without further delay. In this context, it is
recommended in the master plan that the State Government ought to come up with a Land Utilization Policy supported by a Landuse Management Plan for Jammu,
Kashmir and Ladakh Regions and implement the master plans [of all towns] with more seriousness. In this master plan, effort has been made to discourage horizontal
growth of city and outlying villages by increasing residential densities, FAR/FSI and focussing on infill housing. It is also envisaged that agriculture practices need to be
carried out in a scientific manner supported by inevitable Land Reforms like digitization of land records, consolidation of land holdings, improved irrigation and

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introduction of mechanical farming and high yielding crops. The State as a whole lacks basic infrastructure required post-harvest which includes the hullers, mini-rice mills
like paddy Cleaners, Shellers, Separators and Polishers. The mechanisation of farming will have multiple benefits like increased productivity, less labour and more per
capita income and a check on landuse conversions. There is need to shift from subsistence farming to commercial farming for increasing the per capita rural income.
Increase in per capita income in rural areas will directly increase demand for urban goods and services. A chain of inflows and outflows will be established which shall be
based on local resources and local consumption. This will certainly reduce our dependence on imports from neighbouring states in India. For local consumption within
city, a Food Grain Mandi be also developed at Budgam Railway Station to create a structured supply chain of rural goods to urban markets.

Vegetable farming/Urban Farming is another important agriculture activity with enormous economic potentials in suburban areas. As per the data provided by Director
Agriculture, Kashmir, Srinagar district has around 1.56 thousand hectares of land under vegetable farming producing more than 37.23 thousand metric tonnes. Around
12,500 acres of land around Dal Lake is used for growing vegetables generating more than 35 million revenue annually. Srinagar by-far-the-most a consuming city, is
heavily dependent on rural and outside supplies coming from Jammu and Punjab. Besides preservation of vegetable lands in the countryside of Srinagar, it is also
recommended to promote and incentivise the kitchen farming in urban areas as majority of households in city are having plot sizes of one kanal and above. The people
need to change their mind-set and effectively capitalise this limited land resource. The shared responsibility will create a sense of belongingness where Government and
people both have to work together for the future of city.

Horticulture is another important sector of our State economy contributing 7-8 percent towards SGDP. The Kashmir Valley offers good scope for the cultivation
horticulture crops covering a variety of temperate fruits like apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond, cherry etc. There are seven lakh families comprising about 3.30
million people which are directly or indirectly associated with horticulture2. Horticulture development is one of the thrust areas in Agriculture and a number of
programmes have been implemented in the past resulting in the generation of higher incomes thereby improving the quality of life of orchardists. In Srinagar District, an
area of 7442 hectares is under fruit cultivation out of which 5665 hectares are under fresh fruit and 1777 hectares under dry fruits with the respective production of
49887 MT and 2380 MT. The State has a well-established Fruit Plant Nursery at Zakura having an area of 8.55 hectare. The nursery is being developed as a High-Tech
Nursery where a variety of different kinds of fruit trees have been planted. Another Government Fruit Plant Nursery is located at Harwan near Dachigam National Park
spreading over 9.10 hectares. Besides, Zawoora Orchard (30 Ha) at Zewan along the Khunmoh Road is developed a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with GoI and
Govt. of Netherlands. The Ragunathpura Orchard at Habbak along the Foreshore Road is developed over 1.55 hectare area for exotic varieties of stone fruits.

As per the information collected from Horticulture Department, Khunmoh, Balhama, Penzinara, Mirgund, Kaerpora, Dangarpora, Takenwari, Checki Mujgund, Khimber,
Zakura, Gulab Bagh, Gassoo, New Theed, Danihama, Chatterhama, Faqir Gujri, Tailbal and Brein are potential horticulture areas in Srinagar District. About 30%
orchards in Srinagar have become old and senile which need to be rejuvenated. About 100 hectare area needs to be taken up for rejuvenation each year in aforesaid
potential areas of Srinagar District. Besides, new planation under Area Expansion Scheme needs to be outlined for these potential areas which shall serve as permanent

2
Source: J&K Horticulture Department

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source of income for the people and will provide employment opportunities to others. The Department is required to bring about 30 hectares under Area Expansion
Scheme for fruit cultivation like apple, stone fruits and cherry. The Master Plan also highlights the need for a Kitchen Garden Scheme which shall include planting of fruit
trees of different varieties in kitchen gardens. Under this Scheme, a kit of 10 plants with Vermi-compost (10 kg) is proposed to be distributed to 1500 beneficiaries each
year residing in urban areas.

Sericulture is an agro-based industry with a high capacity of employment generation. It has broadly two components viz; mulberry plantation and silk-worm rearing.
Though it is rural based, as such it has been placed under rural economy. The sector comprises a plethora of activities ranging from planting of mulberry trees, culturing of
silkworms, production of cocoons and raw silk. Kashmir had silk trade with Europe since early 19th Century as the Valley was known for its quality silk which for our
negligence has dwindled abysmally. Now-a-days, production of mulberry juice and jam are gaining popularity. As per the data received from Sericulture Department,
10.23 MT raw silk was produced in 2015-16 which is two times the production in 2011-12. The sector provided employment of 1.125 lakh man days around the year.

Sericulture has a huge potential in Kashmir and as such there is dire need to revive the sector on well organised and scientific parameters. There is need to strengthen the
pre-and-post Cocoon sectors. Additional areas need to be brought under mulberry plantation for quality leaf production for which areas like Mulnar, Khrew, Pampore,
Mirgund, Narbal, Sozeith, Rambirgarh, Pratbgarh, Kawoosa, Saidapora, Khimber, Ladoo, Lar, Shariefabad, Khushipora etc are proposed in the master plan. These areas
have been proposed as per the requirement made by the concerned department. The master plan also proposes that the sector has to be organised by way of Cluster
Approach focussing on silkworm rearers, silk brand promotion, up-gradation of infrastructure at silkworm clusters, increase in silkworm rearers’ coverage, capital and
financial incentives to the families involved in this sector, cocoon quality etc.

Fisheries form an important component of the State’s economy which along with agriculture contributes a significant 23% to its GSDP. Besides being an important allied
activity to agriculture, it contributes significantly to the agricultural economy and also generates self-employment. The need of the hour is to overhaul fisheries completely
by developing hatcheries to increase production, develop ranching programs which includes herding or aggregating fish of one species at one place and harvesting them. It
is recommended to make concerted efforts to reduce the dominance of carp and encourage institutionalisation of lake fisheries of Kashmir through establishment of
suitable end-to-end supply chain arrangements. The Kashmir Valley has significant presence of fresh water lakes and springs which create a healthy breeding environment
for fish production in the State. Presence of various species of fish especially Trout has increased the demand for consumption. In this backdrop various Government
schemes are introduced at state level to boost fish production and engage more entrepreneurs by way of providing technical and financial assistance.

To ensure promotion of fisheries within the Srinagar Metropolitan Region, fish ponds, hatcheries and sale points along with other support infrastructure have been made
permissible even in non-developable areas. As desired by the Fisheries Department, a site measuring seven kanal allotted by the Government is reserved at Tengpora
Batmaloo for the development of a retail/wholesale Fish market on scientific lines which will be funded by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). Also to
create awareness of the species grown in Kashmir as well as Himalayan region, a state-of-the-art Aquarium is proposed at Lal Mandi near SPS Museum.

Sheep and Animal Husbandry sector has an important contribution in rural economy of the state. As per the data received from Sheep Husbandry Department, the
Kashmir Division alone has a sheep and goat population of 20.50 lacs. About 67,000 families are associated with sheep and goat farming generating an income of about
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472 crore in Kashmir Division alone. The Srinagar Metropolitan Region [SMR] has a total sheep/goat population of 1.79 Lac and about 6000 families are directly
associated with sheep and goat farming generating an income of 41 crore.3 The meat consumption has increased from 75 lac kgs (2010) to 104 lac kgs (2014) whereas
the wool production has increased from 2.80 lac kgs to 3.40 lac kgs.

In order to promote sheep farming as an important economic activity in region, 29 sheep extension/facilitation centres, three veterinary hospitals/dispensaries, one sheep
breeding farm, one Embryo transfer technology laboratory and five slaughter houses at Khunmoh, Bemina, Nagbal, Ompura, Parimpora are planned over next two decades
and the sites will be finalised in consultation with the concerned department while preparing the Zonal Plans. Besides, Sheep Mandis adjacent to proposed slaughter
houses are also required to be developed in a phased manner till 2035. The Master Plan also provides for the establishment of Sheep Breeding Farms undertaken through
entrepreneurship programs.

5.4 Industrial Economy


As one of the key sectors of economy, industries play a vital role in the economic development of a state or a city. The J&K State does not
have a robust industrial base though many small and medium-scale industries have come up in the traditional sectors and in areas like food
processing, agro-based units and metallic and non-metallic products. The issue of industries has been a subject of extensive debate and
concern over the past three decades. This has centred mainly on the aspects of industrial sickness and closure of many industrial units.
Being the most urbanised part of the State, the Valley has remained as an industrially backward region. Unfortunately, the Valley could not
attract investments in industrial sector for multiple reasons which include prevailing uncertainty, insufficient capital, lack of technology and
infrastructure, poor connectivity and frequent power cuts. However, the city has some service and small scale industrial units besides
centuries old local craft like wood-carving, shawl and carpet making, stone polishing, paper machie, etc. As per the data collected from
Department of Industries and Commerce, the city has about 4300 kanal of land under eight industrial units besides the industrial estate at
HMT, Zainakote (400 Kanal). The Department is also in the process of finalising 1000 kanal land at Budgam for the development of another
major Industrial Estate. Around ten Industrial Estates (IEs) are located in Srinagar city region providing jobs to more than 8,000 people.
Besides these industrial estates, there are as many as twenty cement factories located in Khrew and Khonmoh due to availability of high
quality limestone in the area. The JK Cements Ltd.—a PSU is the largest cement factory with installed capacity of 600 tonnes/day. The
factory provides direct and indirect employment to over 1000 skilled, semi-skilled and specialised workers.

As per the estimates, the State has invested about 400 crore on industrial development in Srinagar Metropolitan Region though no sizeable
impact is seen on ground which can be attributed the fact that about 40% of industrial units are dysfunctional and sick. The Industrial Estate

3
Source: Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department, 2015

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at Zakura is the worst affected where most of the units are either closed or dysfunctional. The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has
identified 177 industrial units under ―RED ―category (polluting industries) and 79 industries under ―Orange‖ category. A cluster of RED
category industries like the stone crushers at Rakh-e-Shalina and Lasjan, and Cement factories at Khonmoh, Wuyan and Khrew need to be
phased out periodically after proper EIA and the areas are proposed to be preserved for replenishing the degraded ecology of the area. It is
also proposed that the bulk storage depots of petroleum products at Sanat Nagar and Hyderpora are proposed to be phased out from these
areas to Petroleum Bulk Storage Depot either at Khunmoh or Balhama.

As discussed above, the industrial sector is in a highly poor condition in the State in general and Valley in particular despite various
government efforts. Given the present rate of unemployment (25%)4 prevalent in the state which by rough estimates has gone over 4.0 lakh,
the Government has been taking steps to curb this problem for long now. It needs to be strategized by creating more jobs in the industrial
sector which will require extension of industrial base and revival of sick industrial units in Kashmir region. In this connection, new
industrial estates are recommended to be developed in Budgam, Pulwama and Ganderbal suburban districts. It is recommended that the age
old Silk and Wollen factories at Rajbagh and Bemina be revived for which sufficient budgetary allocations need to be made in state annual
budgets. It is in place to mention here that the Silk Factory Rambagh be shifted to village Mirgund, tehsil Pattan in the vicinity of Mulberry
Farms for production of quality silk. The Industrial Estate at HMT Zainakote be developed into an Electronic and Software Park for
manufacturing electronic goods and development of software applications besides providing IT-based solutions to customers within and
outside the state. The Kashmir Region has huge potential for the development of agro-based industries due to large-scale fruit production
like apples, pear, apricot, walnut, cherry etc. Diversifying of agriculture and connecting it with the industries will give a boost to local
economy. In this regard, it is recommended to develop Food Parks and Export Promotion Industrial Parks in Khunmoh and Budgam. It is also
strongly provided in the master plan to shift defense establishments from areas or buildings previously used for industrial activities.

5.4.1 Cottage Industry (Handloom and Handicrafts)


Kashmir is world over known for its indigenous handicrafts which is a labour intensive and less capital intensive activity. The crafts like
embroidery, woodcarving, willow works, carpet making and paper-machie are found in and around Srinagar and have unparalleled quality and
design at the national and international level.

4
State figure (Source: Economic Survey, 2016)

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The export of
these world
famous crafts earns
a significant share
of foreign
exchange to the
state. In the master
plan, the local craft
is viewed as an
important driver of
city‘s economy,
and needs to be
preserved and
promoted at all
levels. In this
direction, the State
Government has Map showing
already initiated location of
the Artisan Cluster Artisan
Clusters in
Development
Srinagar city
Initiative (CDI) to
promote and
incentivise the
local craft which
will be a key to
economic empowerment of local community. This has to be achieved through a structured approach by dividing the historic Srinagar
District into various artisan clusters based on concentration of artisan community in the area. The Craft Development Institute is already
working towards the holistic development of local craft and has identified following artisan clusters in Srinagar as shown in the Map below:

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The Craft Development Institute has proposed following interventions like Building of Common Facility Centres, Establishment of Craft Bazaars
within these clusters, and provision of work sheds for artisans within each cluster. These clusters need to be facilitated with basic infrastructure in
terms of covered drains, paved lanes, sign boards, better streetscape, street lights, sanitation etc. They shall be made accessible to visitors so
that artisans are able to showcase their artistic skills, and a direct interface between the artisan and a customer is established. This will
certainly instil confidence among them and make a win-win proposition for both. The Government should hold craft Malas at regular
intervals for better marketing of these crafts at local and national level. Besides, the local authorities in consultation with these artisans who
are important stakeholders shall conduct regular workshops, training programmes and exhibitions.

The State Government has already taken many positive steps in this direction. The Craft Development Institute (Zadibal), the Common
Facility Centre (Nowshehra) and even setting up of a separate Directorate for Handicrafts under the State Industries and Commerce
Department are some of the important steps so far taken by the State Government. As part of the development of aforesaid clusters, the
Institute has been actively involved in carrying out various interventions like design and product development, skill upgradation and
capacity building of the artisans. The master plan taking cognizance of this initiative proposes two more city level Art and Craft Centres one
each at Shaheedgunj after shifting of FCI/CAPD Godowns to alternative site at proposed Dry Port near Budgam Railway Station for which an area of
36.51 ha has been earmarked in the proposed Landuse Plan-2035. In addition, one more such facility centre is proposed at Badamwari
replacing existing poultry farm. The Government shall allocate micro units to the local artisans and craftsmen on subsidised rates for
manufacturing and sale in these cluster centres.

5.5 Retail and General Business


The commercial use occupies around 5.0 sq. km. accounting for 1.6%5 of the total developed area. Primarily the commercial areas are
concentrated along the major arterials like MA Road, Residency Road, Nallamar Road, IG Road upto Baghat Chowk, KZP Road, SMS Road,
NH Bypass and other district roads. Lal Chowk is the main commercial hub designated as the main Commercial Business District (CBD) of
Srinagar city. The commercial development is extended from Dalgate in the east to Batamaloo in the west as shown in the Zonal Plan. There
are 23 identified commercial stretches within the Local Area of SDA including both organised and informal markets. The other major
markets in the city are Karan Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Bemina, Soura, Hazratbal, Nowhatta, Dalgate, Qamarwari and Pantha Chowk. Besides,
Ganderbal, Budgam, Pampore and Narbal are other important market places within the Local Area. Srinagar Haat is a government designated

5
This is exclusive of commercial area permissible under mixed use regulations along roads

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formal market and is known for display of local handicrafts ranging from woollen clothes to silk shawls, carpets, wooden carved artefacts,
paper-mache etc. The Sangarmal Shopping Complex at Lal Chowk is the only Mall constructed by SDA. There is a significant mixed
commercial development along Dal Lake along Boulevard in the form of hotels, restaurants, shops etc. This is an important tourist activity
area in whole Srinagar providing all sorts of services to the tourists.

Most of violations are apparent in landuse conversions from residential to commercial activities especially along important arterials. As
such in this master plan commercial uses under mixed use policy have been made concomitant to road hierarchy save some exceptions. It is
believed that intensity of commercial activity shall be sustained by a particular order of road hierarchy and availability of public transport
making it functionally more efficient. At one shop per 50 persons, SMR is expected to have 66,000 shops creating roughly 1.20 lac jobs. In
order to cater to the city needs by 2035, the Master Plan proposes a poly-nodal commercial structure of the city. As such, it is envisaged to
provide one city centre at Batamaloo and two Sub-city centres one each at Patha Chowk and Parimpora. Besides, District Centres one each in
Budgam, Ganderbal, Soura, Lawaypora, Pampore etc in Planning Zone MHDR_Zone_IV, MDR_Zone _XVI, MDR_Zone_X
MHDR_Zone_VII, LDR_Zone_I & LDR_Zone_II are also proposed to decentralize the commercial activities in the Local Area as well as take
care of future needs including warehousing also as recommended by the Committee. The master plan also proposes a number of mini-CBDs
at Hazratbal, Soura, Zakura, Shalimar, Peerbagh, Rawalpora, Narbal and Khomeine chowk Bemina and their location shall be defined in the Zonal Plans.
The master plan also proposes that IFC located at Parimpora Fruit Mandi be shifted out and a new Integrated Freight Complex (IFC) be
developed at Budgam adjoining Railway Station as shown in the PLUP-2035. In addition another such facility is proposed near the Nowgam
Railway Station. Both these IFCs need to be connected with the Outer Ring Road as per the hierarchy of road proposed in the Transportation
Plan-2035 of this master plan. The IFC shall have all facilities of wholesale markets, loading /unloading, Truck Terminal, petrol pumps,
parking, workshops etc.

5.5.1 Informal Economy


Due to lack of employment opportunities and viable economic base to accommodate the unemployed youth and people thrown out of
agriculture, most of them are engaged in the informal economic activities. Informal sector, has thus to be viewed as an integral part in the
process of physical planning. Besides, being the seat of capital and administrative headquarters, the share of unemployed skilled/unskilled
people may consequently enlarge the Informal sector. The informal shopping encroaching along roadsides has come up in in every corner of
the city. Huge number of workers is engaged in the informal sector which is evident from the statistics of occupation although no relevant
database on street vendors is available. Consistent with the National Policy on Street Vendors, designated areas need to be earmarked for
informal shopping as provided in the Policy on Street Vendors. The SMC, SDA and concerned ULBs are duty bound to document the street
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vendors and keep on updating the database for policy formulation and other programmes. The informal sector commercial activities, except
easy entry, face the brunt of various local agencies. The Master Plan, therefore asserts that efforts should be made to enable the street
hawkers to carry out their business activities with dignity and honour. Thus, in planning for informal sector activities, the aspects of prime
consideration would be:
i. Making space available for such type of activities in the form of Sunday Market, morning/evening vegetable markets, and other
bazaars at vantage points like Lal Chowk, Eidgah, Soura, Hazratbal, Bemina, Pantha Chowk, Ganderbal, Budgam etc.
ii. Provide in-built mechanism for space adjacent or in the major activity centres including all neighbourhoods, terminal centres,
industrial estates, administrative centre, and even in major commercial centres.
iii. It is envisaged that in any commercial centre, 15% of the area shall be reserved for the Informal area.
iv. For institutional, administrative and industrial area, one shop per 100 working population shall be provided.
v. Provision of easy access to institutional finance with low rate of interest/subsidy to provide opportunities to consolidate the economic
base.
vi. Introduction of different self-employment schemes to eradicate unemployment/absorb unemployed youth and people thrown out of
agriculture as a result of implementation of different developmental programmes.

5.6 Directions for Future Economic Growth


The above discussions are summarised to conclude that the city‘s economy has two major facets— urban economy and rural economy—and
both these economies need to be connected and diversified for economic vitality of the city. While the rural economy should have its focus
on policies aiming at increased production and productivity, the urban economy should be driven by promotion of entrepreneurship and
development of relevant skillsets. Innovation and technology have to be at the centre-stage of both the economies. After increasing
capacities and skillsets, focus should be on developing efficient rural-urban connections by creating an interface for marketing rural
products as well as connecting them to urban skillsets. In principle, urban and rural economies need to enjoy a symbiotic and sustained
relationship as cities benefit when agricultural productivity increases. Similarly growing rural areas provide new markets for urban services
and manufactured goods. Mechanization and the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides spur demand for these products. A boom in
commercial agriculture boosts demand for marketing, transportation, construction, and finance, which urban centres often provide6. Nearby

6
In Africa, every $1 of additional output in the agricultural sector generates an extra $1.50 of output in the non-farm sector. In Asia that figure is $1.80. Rural areas
also benefit from the growth of cities. (Source: World development Report, 2009-2010)

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cities provide ready markets for agricultural products such as vegetables and dairy products and for rural nonfarm output. Rural industries
often supply parts and components to nearby urban manufacturers. Urbanization can also help raise rural productivity through technology
transfers, educational services, and training. The master plan recommends that the agro-economic sectors need to be presented as a single
package by devising targets based on inter-sectoral objectives. In this connection, an Agro-Economic Board needs to be established as an
umbrella institution. The primary function of this institution shall be framing of agro-economic programs and policies.

Besides, in a situation characterized by uncertainty and increased market risk, the Government should aim at catalysing opportunities for
innovation and cooperation. In the debates over subsidizing industry, both policy makers and the entrepreneurs too often forget that the
inputs—labour costs, skills, natural resources, climate, etc—most relevant to economic development, are often beyond their control. Now the
question remains, can government become partners in start-up ventures on equity basis? In our situation, some argue that cities need this kind of
Municipal Entrepreneurship on benefit-risk sharing model to cope up with the enterprise challenges. One intellectual justification for this
model is infant industry existing in unpromising environment which supports sharing risk in a line of industrial activity until it achieves
sufficient local scale to be viable. Although such arrangements are rare, they may become more common in the State given the continued
failure of industrial policy even after granting capital subsidies of not less than 30%.

The proposed economic structure will have a range of benefits for both rural and urban population. While the agro-economy will shift from
subsistence economy to progressive economy, the urban economy will be more diversified driven by locally available resources. The master
plan envisions this as a sustainable economic model for the city. Besides, it is believed that promotion of tourism will be an added capital
towards city‘s economic growth. The prerequisites for economic development model are:
 Consolidation, innovation and technology to increase production and productivity of agriculture and allied sectors
 Strengthening and mobilisation of innovations
 Identification and promotion of relevant skillsets
 Efficient rural-urban linkages both physical and technological by way improved road connectivity and telecommunication
 Adequate reliable power supply
 Risk sharing by public institution
 Carrying products to consumers by establishing a regulated supply chain

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6 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND HUMAN HABITATS

Community Development has been one of the cornerstones of this master plan. Srinagar is one of the oldest cities in India with its
documented history of more than 2000 years. Historically planned as a walkable city supported by water transport, the city has evolved in
the shape of Mohallas. These would develop either because of distinctive nature of functions or location of some important religious
landmark1. Over a period of time, the city has changed in design and style. The city‘s extension areas developed in its north, south and west
directions have not only changed the broad contours of neighbourhood design but also affected its historic human scale of design. In order
to improve the quality of urban living, the master plan underlines the need for enhancing and maintaining the vitality and livability of
neighbourhoods through Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAPs). The city needs to work with Mohalla Committees or Neighbourhood
Associations for the preparation and implementation of community plans. The Master Plan has identified fifty three [53] Planning Zones,
and provided a framework of landuse designations and a unique Development Code. While preparing the Zonal Plans a detailed inventory
of existing landuse, public facilities and services, capacity will be prepared, and in the light of master plan policies and objectives, these
plans shall be prepared. Since, Zonal Plan is the first step towards master plan implementation, it is therefore recommended that the Zonal
Plans should clearly identify and recognize residential neighbourhoods through layout plans. The master plan envisages following
important objectives and guiding principles for the planning and development of neighbourhoods:

 Efficiency and maintenance, livability and vitality of neighbourhoods


 Connected neighbourhoods
 Human scale of design
 Fire and emergency risk response time
 Safety of women and children
6.1 Housing and Human Habitats
The Master Plan tries to address the subject of housing in its totality with its focus on improving the quality of life in residential
neighbourhoods. As per 2011 census, the State had a population of 12.54 million; out of which, 3.34 million (27.38%) lived in urban areas.
During 2001-2011, urban population of the State grew @ 36% against 19.42% decadal growth rate in case of rural areas at the State level2. The

1
This has been discussed in length in Chapter ―Heritage Conservation‖ of this report.
2
The population of the State during the decade (2001-2011) increased @ 23%.

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level of urbanization increased from 24% to 27%. As per the Census 2011, the {urban} housing stock in the State stood at 4.96 lakh for 5.17
Lakh {urban} households meeting the demand by 96%. Though the demand supply gap is narrow, however; actual demand will be high due
to housing dilapidation and multi-family housing and single room housing. While vacant houses account for about 8%, the dilapidated
houses constitute about 2% of the total housing stock. Of the total housing stock, while 76% houses are in good condition, 22% houses are in
a liveable condition. In addition, 10% houses were damaged during September 2014 floods in Srinagar district alone3. As per the Census
2011, Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) has a net housing shortage of about (4%) dwelling units. Almost 10% of the households are living
in one room accommodation, 18% in two room accommodation and 68% have more than two room accommodation. In case of census
houses, 96% houses are owned which is at par with the State average.

Housing is more than four walls and a roof. Provision of adequate basic facilities and services is integral part of any human habitat as they
are directly related to the quality of living. Housing is a social issue and is one of the indices of human development. In city‘s high density
areas, houses are huddled together with poor ventilation and sanitation conditions. The households are accommodated across a variety of
housing types ranging from single storey to four storey structures in unplanned settlements, high density core areas and peripheral village
settlements.

As of 2015, the residential area is spread over 125 sq. km which is 53% of the existing Developed Area with a gross residential density of 136
PPH. In view of the limited land available, the city needs judicious use of land resources which inter-alia can be achieved by increased
densification, Infills in sparsely developed areas, plot sub-division for multi-family housing and promotion of vertical growth. To harmonise
the residential development, the Master Plan envisages re-densification of low and medium density areas especially the along North-South
axis. These areas are envisaged to be planned with increased densities for efficient use of limited suitable land. Besides, Satellite townships
at Ganderbal, Bemina, Pampore, Budgam and Dormitory townships at Nowgam, Lawaypora, Zakura etc need to be developed to ensure supply of
adequate serviced land to increase housing choices for people of all categories. To rationalize the growth of housing clusters or
neighbourhoods, the following residential densities are provided:
a) Low Density [up to 80 PPH],
b) Medium Density [81 – 160 PPH],
c) High Medium Density [161 - 240 PPH], and

3
Source: J&K Housing Board

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d) High Density [241 PPH & Above]*

* As recommend by the Committee, in case of flatted development under group housing scheme, the maximum density shall be restricted to 120 DUs
per hectare subject to other conditions as laid down in Table 1-7-1 and section 1-7-3 of Development Code of this master plan.

Based on the projected population of 28.50 million by 2035, the estimated housing stock is projected around 5.93 lakh dwelling units against
existing housing supply of dwelling units in 2011. In other words, for additional future population and meeting out the backlog of about
0.12 lakh units, about 3.0 lac houses will be required over next two decades. Over and above, the Master Plan envisages additional 10%
housing (i.e. 25000 DUs) for floating population, move population and for the rehabilitation of those affected by the implementation of
Master Plan proposals which shall have to be catered to in phased manner.

The contribution to housing stock through institutional agencies is quite insignificant. The housing demand has been worked out on the basis of certain
broad assumptions:
a) Household size will decrease periodically from 5.50 to 5.0 during the horizon period of 20 years;
b) Average household to house ratio of 1.0 for the horizon period of 20 years;
c) Dilapidation of housing stock @ 2% by 2035;
d) Anticipated population growth as per the growth rates assumed.

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It has been roughly estimated that around half of the housing demand
Figure 6-1 : Type wise slum Population, 2011
can potentially be met through infill, plot sub-division and up-
gradation/expansion of existing areas within the present master plan
limits4. This implies that remaining 50% of the demand (i.e.; 1.75 housing
units) will have to be provided in extended or new areas. In order to 162,909
ensure that housing in suburbs is provided in a planned manner, the
authorities should focus on restructuring and re-densification of existing
areas, development of integrated townships and up-gradation of
peripheral village settlements as self-sustained neighbourhoods. It is 362,504
required that no individual permissions shall be granted in areas
reserved for group housing projects in Planning Zones MDR_Zone_XV, 136,649
HDR_Zone_VIII, MHDR_Zone_IV, HDR_Zone_IX, HDR_Zone_X,
Notified slums
MDR_Zone_VI, MDR_Zone-X, LDR_Zone_XI, LDR_Zone_V and
Recognised slums
MDR_Zone_XVII, and these areas shall be notified under J&K Town
Planning Act 1963 for execution of Town Planning Schemes (TPS) in the first Identified slums
phase of master plan implementation. The Master Plan proposes additional about 7500 hectares for accommodating around 2.50 lac additional
households over next twenty years. The Local Area of 766 sq. km is presently inhabited by around 3.0 lac households with about 15.0 lac
residing within urban areas and the remaining in rural settlements.
The Master Plan-2035 has the spotlight on ‗Suburban Housing’ where land costs and wages are relatively cheaper which will essentially cut
down the overall cost of a building thereby making housing more affordable for a majority of people. It is foreseen that affordability is going
to be big challenge in time to come. In this connection, suburban housing and provision of institutional rental housing will play a key role.
More than 90% investment in housing is through informal (private) means as the sector is highly disorganised. Srinagar is an
environmentally and ecologically fragile city. It is also a multi-hazard city with limited areas suitable for development. The city is growing
in an amorphous and unplanned manner with most of the development coming up in low-lying and flood prone areas devouring prime
agricultural lands, thereby increasing threshold costs and giving rise to stagnation of rainwater and drainage problems. Most of the housing

4
Master Plan 2021 which is presently under revision

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colonies have come up devoid of services and public amenities. In nut shell, the city needs a complete overhaul and proper urban
restructuring. It is as such strongly recommended that the formulation of Zonal Plans be fast-tracked to ensure the planned development of
residential neighbourhoods as envisaged in this master plan. The Master Plan also has a spotlight on the identification of blighted and grey
areas in Zonal Plans for their redevelopment with active participation of locals. Also, urban fringe settlements notified as part of local area
SDA are also envisaged to be improved by way of upgrading the amenities, utilities and services on neighbourhood concept. Linkages
between the mother city and new townships and urban villages have to be significantly upgraded to reduce travel time and cost.

6.1.1 Slum Population


As per the Primary Census Abstract for Slums released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner India in September,
2013, there are three types of slums classified as Notified, Recognised and Identified. Among 86 statutory towns in J&K, 40 towns are
reported as ‗slum towns‘ in the Abstract with a population of 6.62 lakh as per the break up shown in the Figure 6-1. Slum population
accounts for more than 5% of the total population of the State. Unlike other states, 65% slum households live in good housing conditions
while another 30% need upgradation of housing units. As per the 2011 Census data, just 4% households in slum areas are actually houseless;
however, slums in general are devoid of basic facilities. As per the statistics, more than half (52%) of the total slum population of the state is
living in Srinagar district only.

In the DPR prepared for Srinagar city under Rajiv Awaz Yojna (RAY)5, Srinagar city has 77 slums pockets with all of them un-notified.
Besides, there are large number of informal housing clusters spread over the city and its suburb especially along highways which are
predominantly inhabited by the service population. Slums constitute less than 10% of the total population of Local Area. In the DPR, around
18,000 households spreading across 77 slum pockets have been identified in Srinagar city only.

6.1.2 Issues in the Development of Affordable Housing


Developing affordable housing faces significant challenges due to several economic, regulatory and other urban issues. Lack of
availability of serviced land, rising threshold costs of construction, regulatory issues and access to housing finance are some of the major
constraints which impact the ability of a common man to buy a house in the organised sector.

5
A CSS now known as “Housing For All”

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6.1.3 Housing Strategy Outlined


HOUSING in Srinagar is a people‘s activity with the informal private sector investments accounting for more than 90% of the total
investment. While housing shortage is modest in terms of new construction, the problem is more serious in terms of affordability as well as
up-gradation of existing housing stock (24%). The Master Plan proposes that not less than 70% of the housing demand shall be met through
government interventions, private developers and housing co-operatives. The main objective of the master plan is to not only meet the
housing demand but also improving the quality of neighbourhoods. Development of allied housing infrastructure (utilities and services) in
residential neighbourhoods is far below the standards when compared with the growth of housing. Social services especially for the poor,
women, children and elders are comprehensively missing in almost all residential neighbourhoods. The approach lanes are very narrow and
winding often non-trafficable for bi-directional movement. In view of this, the Master Plan envisages ―Housing for All by 2025‖ through
development of self-contained residential neighbourhoods across all sections of society.

The Government of India has been focussing on shelter and planned development through various schemes and promulgated the National
Urban Housing and Habitat Policy in 2007. The policy intends to promote sustainable development of human habitats with a view to
ensuring equitable supply of land, shelter and services at affordable prices to all sections of society. The policy provides the basic framework
for the State and Central Governments for facilitating the affordable housing stock. The Government needs to revisit the J&K Housing Policy
2004 and frame a comprehensive Housing and Habitat Policy with defined role for key stakeholders as given in subsequent paras of this report. The
new policy will go a long way in the production of housing in the State and target the relevant groups for affordable housing. The Master
Plan envisages that housing is a multi-layered phenomenon and cannot be met through Government resources only. In fact, there are
different agencies whose roles have to be properly recognised or defined in the provision of housing stock.

6.1.4 Role of the State Government


Jammu & Kashmir State Government is desired to:
 prepare Housing and Habitat Policy and Real Estate Development and Regulation Policy and implement them through various public and
private agencies including NGOs/CBOs/Ward Committees/Village Committees etc;
 act as a facilitator and enabler in collaboration with other agencies for the development of group housing projects, Integrated
Townships and other Infrastructure Development Projects with a view to give a boost to housing;
 prepare a State Land Utilisation Plan, Regional Plans for each District and Master Plans along with Zonal Plans as a regulatory
mechanism to promote balanced regional development as provided in the National Housing and Habitat Policy-2007;

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 amend the existing laws and procedures or promulgate legislation for the effective implementation of the policy with a particular
reference to easy disposal of serviced land by government and private agencies;
 promote and incentivise private sector and cooperatives in undertaking housing and infrastructure projects for all sections;
 identify financial resources to supplement and complement the efforts of Central Government for the provision and creation of
adequate basic facilities like water supply, connectivity, waste disposal, power supply etc;
 promote and incentivise decentralised production and availability of building material;
 develop MIS at State and local levels through a Nodal Agency to be set up in Housing Department;
 provide fiscal covenants and rationalization of tax rates on housing and housing inputs.
 set up the J&K State Institute of Housing and Habitat Management Studies to promote and encourage R & D activities in the field of
housing and habitat development through tailor-made and captioned programmes for capacity building of planners, architects,
engineers, construction workers including masons, carpenters etc. The Institute will be also responsible to undertake research in
housing and related infrastructure in order to promote affordable, viable and cost-effective delivery of houses and services. It will
provide guidance and training in collaboration with Building Centres to develop and promote standards on building components,
materials and construction activities to be taken up by agencies in public and private sector. It will also develop disaster mitigation
techniques for new constructions as well as strengthening of existing houses.
 promote setting up of building centres across the State to provide not only building materials, but also technical assistance to
individuals and group housing societies during the construction process;
 encourage Cooperative Group Housing Societies, Employees Organizations, Labour Housing Promotion Organizations, Non-
Government Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO) and private developers to have Partnerships with
Urban Local Bodies in housing and related infrastructure;
 promote innovative financial instruments in relation to credit appraisal norms to benefit EWS and LIG beneficiaries.

6.1.5 Role of Local Self Government Institutions (Municipalities and Panchayats) and Local Authority(s)
These institutions have a key role in so far as the provision of affordable housing is concerned. The master plan stipulates these local bodies
to:
 identify specific housing shortages in each ward and village, and prepare local level Housing and Habitat Action Plans;
 devise target programmes {stand-alone and PPP ventures} to meet housing shortages and augment the supply of serviced land for
housing as well as the development of integrated townships for all groups;

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 plan expansion and creation of infrastructure services like roads for safe and swift commuting, water supply, waste treatment and
disposal, power supply, facilities like education, health and recreation etc; either through direct efforts or incentivising the
private/voluntary sector or a combination of both;
 Implement central and state sector schemes and programmes pertaining to housing and infrastructure sector;
 enforce effectively regulatory measures for planned development and devise guidelines for the development of group housing
projects as part of bye-laws and master plan regulations;
 devise capacity building programmes at the local level in collaboration with the proposed J&K State Institute of Housing and Habitat
Management Studies, NGOs/CBOs etc;
 facilitate public-private partnerships in areas of land assembly, plot reconstitution, housing, infrastructure and financial
intermediation;
6.1.6 Role of Private, Cooperative and Community Sector Agencies
These would:
 undertake an active role in terms of land assembly, housing and development of amenities within group housing projects for the
target groups including the vulnerable sections;
 create housing stock on ownership and rental basis;
 work out schemes in collaboration with the public sector institutions for public housing, social infrastructure and slum
reconstruction on cross-subsidized basis;
6.1.7 Role of Housing Finance Institutions (HFIs):
These would:
 reassess their strategies in terms of outreach and inclusiveness to enhance their coverage portfolio including poorer sections of the
society;
 adopt a more flexible and innovative approach in their credit appraisal norms;
 promote innovative mechanism like mortgage guarantee and title insurance to augment fund for housing sector.
 provide loans at concessional rate of interest to specified persons for purchasing a house site or house.
 devise innovative housing finance schemes for targeting the EWS and LIG segments of the housing market with suitable subsidy
support from the Central and State Governments.

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 promote MFIs and Self-Help Groups for mobilizing savings and playing a significant role in the housing finance sector. Provide
housing loans to EWS and LIG segments as a priority sector of banking as in the case of rural development programmes.
 encourage housing beneficiaries to take insurance cover to save lives and property from any eventuality.

6.1.8 Specific Action Areas


Land is the most critical input considering the specific requirements of housing and urban infrastructure projects, both in public and private
sector. The prime and valuable agricultural lands and orchards are being urbanized in both rural and urban areas without any planning and
in violation of standing laws. Agrarian laws shall have to be amended to preserve prime agricultural lands also ensuring that it does not
become an impediment in the release and utilization of serviced land for developmental activities within and outside local planning area.
Though there are no elaborate statutory provisions for land pooling, yet modalities for a Town Planning Scheme (TPS) are already
incorporated in the J&K Town planning Act 1963. Land assembly, plot reconstitution and/or development by private sector shall also be
encouraged ensuring the stakes of the landowners with detailed modalities.

Various initiatives have been taken at the national level in the recent past to restructure the housing credit system in the country, resulting
in lowering of interest rates, subsidy in the interest rates, simplification of procedure and a sharp rise in the net inflow of housing credit.
Commensurate benefits of these changes have not flown to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Efforts shall be made to significantly scale of
the net inflow of housing credit in the state. In this direction Government shall persuade the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, National Housing
Bank, Housing Finance Institutions (HFIs), commercial banks and insurance sector to extend the network of their operations in the state to
provide affordable housing credit to the people. Jammu & Kashmir State would consider creation of State Shelter Fund with a corpus of
annual accretion of Rs.50 crore for leveraging in the creation of larger financial flows for EWS/LIG needs. A ―Housing Risk Fund‖ with an
initial corpus of Rs. 50 crore (to be contributed by the government) is to be set up, to cover repayment risks on loans up to Rs. 1,00,000/-
provided by HFIs to EWS/LIG households. Foreign Direct Investments, Investment from Non Resident Indians and Persons of Indian
Origin would be encouraged in housing, real estate and infrastructure sectors. FIIs would also be allowed to invest in RMBS issues. ―Real
Estate Investment Trusts (REITS)‖/Real Estate Mutual Funds (REMF) would be recommended to be set up to serve as a mutual fund for real
estate development through State level financial intermediaries. REITs through the pooling in of resources would allow individuals with
small amounts of cash to take advantage of returns available from the buoyant housing and real estate market. Larger funds would thus,
become available for investment in housing related projects.

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6.1.9 Architecture and Design


Architectural designs of houses have significant bearing on the character and aesthetics of human settlements and the standardization of
technology. Unique architectural heritage developed over the years is badly threatened at many places by mindless copying of designs from
outside which are not in accordance with the local conditions. Government through urban local bodies, local authorities, shall promote
development of a range of model type designs of houses of different sizes and specifications that are in harmony with the local
environment. Government shall also institute awards for the best designed buildings in different regions to encourage innovative designs
that are sensitive to local conditions.

6.1.10 Housing for Urban Poor


Though the ‘Housing For All’ is a national agenda, however, it needs huge financial resources and robust institutional set up to achieve the
national goal by 2022. There are various centrally sponsored schemes which need to effectively implemented, monitored and periodically
reviewed to achieve the targets. Besides, the State Government should encourage PPP arrangements in the provision of social housing
especially for EWS and LIG. It is enunciated to provide 20% allocation of dwelling units in the flatted group housing projects for
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) preferably at cross-subsidized rates. In case of plotted housing projects,
20% of plots shall be reserved for urban poor along with all requisite facilities as per prescribed norms. However, the promoter shall have
the option of providing the housing to EWS/LIG either in the same block/housing unit or some other alternative place with the consent of
concerned authority. In case the Developer fails to provide housing to the EWS in the same housing unit/complex or else, ‘Shelter Fee’ equal
to the cost given below shall be collected from him—
a) Construction cost including land cost of the FAR reserved for EWS housing;
b) Amount of subsidy earned through cross-subsidization for total FAR;
c) Any additional cost which may be necessary for the housing of EWS at other alternative site.

The concerned authority shall maintain a separate account for this fund to be used for the construction of EWS/LIG housing as well as for
the maintenance of services etc; in the area.

6.1.11 Urban Villages


The Master Plan-2035 seeks to enhance focus on the development of sustainable human habitats based on ‗regional planning approach‘ and
deepen the role of Government as a ‗facilitator, partner and regulator‘. The Government should earmark budgetary allocations for social

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housing programmes within the ambit of annual District Development Plans (DDPs) linked with the master plans of the area. Srinagar is a
fast growing city engulfing more and more surrounding villages. From planning perspective, it is imperative that these settlements shall be
provided with a wide range of urban amenities and facilities for the benefit of local population. The Master Plan proposes provision of basic
urban amenities, services and utilities in these settlements so that the same could blend with the growing urban continuum in years to come.
Education, health, recreation, sanitation, water supply and improved transportation networks as well as work centres need to be developed
in these villages so that they could keep pace with urban areas rather than remaining behind as blighted areas. These settlements are
required to be developed as self-sustaining entities with efficient linkages with the mother city. It is necessary to mention here that mere
incorporation of these villages within the Planning Area limits of this Master Plan shall not bar them drawing benefits guaranteed under
various rural development schemes. The Government shall converge resources available under various central and state schemes for the
overall development of these villages. Creating a growth centre and developing a planned Composite Cluster Settlement within a group of
villages will provide a necessary trigger for balanced regional development and simultaneously lessen the burden on mother city.

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7 URBAN GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

7.1 Urban Governance


Governance is the enabling environment that requires adequate legal frameworks, efficient political, managerial and administrative
processes to enable the local government response to the needs of citizens. It can be defined as the many ways that institutions and
individuals organize the day-to-day management of a city, and the processes used for effectively realizing the short term and long-term
agenda of a city’s development. Urban governance is the software that enables the urban hardware to function. Effective urban governance
is characterized as democratic and inclusive; long-term and integrated; multi-scale and multilevel; territorial; proficient and conscious of the
digital age. (UN Habitat)

One of the focus areas in this millennium has been a paradigm shift in the global demographics with urban population surpassing rural
population. Compounding this shift is the increasing correlation being established between economic successes of a nation to that of the
extent of its urbanization. This has seen a phenomenal impact in the developing world where urban areas are being increasingly termed as
the engines of economic growth. Such an impetus to the area necessitates policies and strategies addressing the ever-changing dynamics of
the urbanization processes and the accompanying glitches of an emerging economy. Urban poverty alleviation, devolution processes,
municipal administration, land management, governance, accountability, urban financial management and town planning processes are
some of the areas that have seen focus in the urban sphere world over. Ensuring transparent governance and preventing corruption has
become a policy priority for governments across the world. In other words, addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in the
formulation of policies, implementing programmes and delivering services in a convenient, accessible and responsive manner is a non-
negotiable priority for all nations. The introduction of concepts like New Public Management, Good Governance and rights-based approach
to development has indeed brought about paradigm shifts in the way Governments approach the delivery of public services. The city needs
to partner in piloting social accountability initiatives, evaluation of accountability institutions and mechanisms, preparation of toolkits for
social audits, enabling the formulation and review of citizen’s charters, and review of grievance redress mechanisms within its domain.

The three elements of good governance model are citizen engagement, performance measurement and government policy and
implementation.

 Citizen engagement refers to the involvements of citizens in the broadest sense to include individuals, groups, non-profit
organisations and even business corporate citizens. Private organisations are included primarily in the sense of their participation for
public purposes rather than only to protect narrow private interests. In this view, citizen engagement in a community is best when it
is broad, inclusive and representative of citizens.

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 Performance measurement refers to the development of indicators and collection of data to describe, report on, and analyse
performance. Social audit is an effective method to ensure some of these objectives.
 Government policy and implementation refers to the developments of public policy decisions about issues government chooses to
address, the strategies it employs, the resources it commits and the actions it takes to carry out these decisions. This element covers
the full cycle of planning, budgeting, implementing and evaluating government operations
The experience of the communities that have involved citizens in identifying priority issues and developing goals and performance
indicators confirms that citizens can participate intelligently in these processes without having the years of technical knowledge and
expertise. Citizen’s participation is both an end in itself, and a means to an end. Citizens both men and women have a right to take part in
making decisions that affect their community. This is because it affects their own development and future. Citizen Governance is about
responding to people’s needs and demands. It can be considered as a means of achieving better governance. Involving the people
themselves in identifying their needs and demands, and in designing policies and programmes to meet them, is an excellent way of doing
this.

7.2 Stages of Citizen Participation


One way to characterise participation is to identify the stage or phase of the process in which citizen participation is sought. The following
stages have been identified:
1. Problem identification: investigation and discussion aimed at identifying the root cause or the most important aspect of a problem or
issue.
2. Problem analysis: analysis of the context and factors influencing the issue or problem, followed by the development of possible
interventions and/or policies.
3. Policy preparation: examining the feasibility of various policy options and identifying potential.
4. Policy design: choosing the optimal policy option, followed by refining and concretisation, so that it can be put into practice.
5. Policy implementation: putting the chosen policy into practice.
6. Monitoring, evaluation and follow-up: supervising implementation, gathering feedback on the effectiveness and efficiency of the
chosen measures, and adjusting policies, plans and implementation in accordance with the feedback, in order to ensure sustainability.

7.3 Tools for Participation


1. Standing Citizens’ Panels: The Panel which can consist of 10 to 25 members drawn from related fields of expertise or public concern
who will advise government on policy issues on improving the services rendered by the department.

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2. Round–Tables: Developed in Canada, the purpose is to bring together groups of interested parties and stakeholders to deliberate on
various issues periodically.
3. Participatory Planning Communities: This tool can be used successfully for citizen participators right from problems identification
and analysis to planning and implementation.
4. Forums: These are similar to round tables, but are less formal and less engaging than round–tables.
5. Public Hearings: Public hearings enhance citizen participation. Hearings have the explicit aim of soliciting people’s opinions and
reactions to proposals, with the intention of taking this feedback into account.
6. Citizen/Community Outreach: This is a popular way of motivating citizens to participate by arranging lunch, parties or events where
citizens want to give suggestions, ideas or express support to the initiatives of the government.
7. Citizen Committees: A committee with 8 to 10 concerned citizens may be formed for each department, which helps the government in
policy making, implementation etc.
8. Joint Project Teams: Project teams represent infusive interaction. They enhance citizen participation. Administrators should delegate
powers to project teams to allocate funds and manage complementation.

The city needs to comprehensively engage with the works carried out in the realm of public service delivery with all institutions in tandem
to ensure that people have a strong voice in the governance of the state and local body institutions. Key areas of work may include citizen’s
charters, community score cards, right to public services bill, right to information, capacity building of officials engaged in public service
delivery and the evaluation of existing and new mechanisms of public service delivery.

Urban governance is at the heart of a city’s efficiency. It is primarily about decision making and translating decisions into actions through a
series of processes and institutions. In a democratic set up, decision making generally rests with political institutions though some powers
are delegated to public institutions also. The world’s most prosperous cities are those that are governed efficiently. Accountability and
transparency are two key facets of efficient governance. The public institutions and systems have to be made as much accountable and
transparent to people as they are made towards these institutions. In this connection, the state government has already taken some historic
steps which include the following:
 Public Services Guarantee Act, 2010
 Right to Information Act
 Online disposal of building permission cases
 Biometric Attendance System
 File tracking system

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No doubt these are landmark steps to improve delivery of services and efficiency of public institutions, however, a lot more needs to be
done which should focus on following key areas:

 Administrative and service reforms


 Public Accountability and Service Delivery
 Change Management and Organisation Development
 Human Development or Social capital formation
 Public Finance Management
 E-Governance
In light of these focus areas, following recommendations are made to improve urban governance.

1- Establishment of a Ministry of Human Resource Development with a full-fledged minister in-charge. The ministry shall have a
mandate to work for human capital formation by imparting trainings through ITI’’s, polytechniques, skill development and craft
development institutes as well as JKEDI. Besides the department will work for upgradation of public institutions by way of trainings,
capacity building and more importantly rationalisation of staff and mandatory periodical revision of recruitment rules.
2- Innovation is key to the efficiency of delivery of public services. Functioning of systems generally improves with least human
interference. In present day world, ICT provides us opportunity to benefit from smart solutions to redress our day-to-day problems.
The city needs to introduce smart solutions to a wide range of problems related to public facilities and services like water supply,
sewerage, solid waste, traffic and transportation, health, education, power, disaster risk reduction etc.
3- Another innovative step could be creation of a common e-platform for uploading the departmental data, layouts, projects etc. This could
be done by establishing a state-wide meta-data web connecting all departments for seamless information flows.
4- Since some 300 villages constitute as part of Local Planning Area (LPA) of this master plan, it is equally important to improve
efficiency of existing infrastructure in each panchayat village. In this connection, it is recommended that the Panchayat Garhs be
upgraded to village town halls which shall house local panchayat as well as provide accommodation/facilities to field officers of
various departments engaged in the developmental works of the area.
5- Constitution of a Department of Economic Affairs for PPP projects within the Department of Finance.
6- Strengthening of Local Self-Government Institutions by way of financial devolution and decentralization of more powers and
functions as enlisted in 73rd and 74th CAAs can be key instruments towards effective governance. These local institutions need to

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partner with civil society groups, community organisations, NGO’S and eminent citizens for the formulation, execution and
monitoring of projects as well as delivery of public services.

7.4 Administrative Re-structuring of Srinagar Capital City


Srinagar is the Summer Capital of the State. It is also the seat of District and Divisional administration. Besides, the city houses a number of
highest order health and educational facilities. The predominant public and semi-public uses are the Secretariat, Legislative Complex, High
Court, Doordarshan, Medical College and associated hospitals, SKIMS, University and academic colleges etc. In view of the high land values
and low intensity use in the CBD, the master plan envisages consolidation all district level offices and the seat of divisional administration
under-one-roof in Mini-Secretariat by way of re-organising the administrative offices and other activities as shown in Table 7-1 given below.
The spaces so created shall be used for business development, tourism infrastructure and other activities besides creating some green spaces
in the area. The reuse of these highly precious urban spaces for other purposes is imperative for a slew of measures like the limited
availability of developable land, high land costs and the impediments faced in the release of land for the implementation of master plan
proposals. The government accommodation provided to Government employees working in the Secretariat shall be replaced by flatted
development in Pampore planned in the vicinity of JKEDI in Planning Zone MHDR_Zone_I. Government accommodation in the form of
apartments will facilitate high rise and high density development. The two pronged strategy of reuse of underutilized lands and provision
of government accommodation in the form of high rise apartments will go a long way in the implementation of Master Plan objectives. The
comprehensive list of the shifting and reuse of the offices etc from city centre is given below:

Table 7-1: Public and Semi-public uses to be phased out to alternative sites
Sl. No. Activity/Use Proposed use of the site Alternative location
The Committee also recommended to
As per Committee recommendations, the Secretariat shall reserve the site at Nowgam abutting
1 Secretariat /Capital Head continue to function at its present location till such time as N/H Bypass near proposed Traffic
Government may decide. Rehabilitation Park/Arboretum for
placement of Secretariat in future.

2 Forest Department at Lal Chowk Tourism infrastructure Mini-Secretariat

3 Government Press near KMDA Commercial and a Public Park Pampore near JKEDI
4 Doordarshan Tourism infrastructure Airport
5 Chief Justice Accommodation Tourism infrastructure Gupkar

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Dry Port at Budgam near Railway


6 CAPD Godowns at Shaheed Gunj Public park, Playfield, craft centre and multilevel parking
Station
7 Old Assembly Complex Tourism infrastructure Mini-Secretariat
8 Old Secretariat Complex Museum and Art Gallery Mini-Secretariat
9 Div. Com/DDC Complex Tourism Infrastructure Mini-Secretariat
10 Office of DSEK Education (expansion of school) Mini-Secretariat
Deputy Chief Minister
11 Banquet Hall and State Guest House Sonawar
Accommodation
Director Information and DIG
12 Central Park NH Bypass Bemina
Traffic at polo View
13 District Police Lines Srinagar Institutional housing Eidgah, Noorbagh
14 Chest Disease Hospital Community facility Zewan
15 Central Jail at Badamwari Craft Centre Khunmoh
16 Mental Hospital Craft Centre Khunmoh
17 Govt. Poultry Farm, Badamwari Disaster Cell -
Khimber/Shuhama/Saidpora
18 Leper Hospital and Leper Colony Tourism Infrastructure
Humchi
19 Veterinary Hospital, Maisuma Tourism/Commercial Eidgah, Noorbagh
20 District Court Complex Tourism Tengpora
Horticulture and Agriculture
21 Tourism and allied Proposed Mini-Secretariat
Department at Lal Mandi
To be retained as recommended by the Committee and the proposed library to be developed at City
22 Fire & Emergency at Batamaloo
Centre, Batamaloo as envisaged in the master plan.

7.5 Rationalisation and Strengthening of Public Institutions


In order to achieve the development targets over next 20-25 years, the institutions and supportive legislative tools need to be made
consistent with policy directives conceived in this master plan. The institutional framework which is unable to cope up with the requirement
of city development has to be upgraded and re-organized to make it structurally more robust and effective. While the current structure is
fragmented, it is held together by good people who are technically and professionally competent. The institutions need to be built on
strengths to improve public services delivery system. Action must be taken now to reform the public institutions, their structures,
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implement process improvements and develop a “one-stop” permit information and Developmental Services Centre for the entire Srinagar
Metropolitan Region. By 2035, Srinagar is going to be 3.0 million city sprawling over an area of 766 sq. km. The existing institutions have to
be upgraded especially in terms of professional manpower and knowledge for which the respective departments should be duty bound. In
the first place, the SDA should be re-designated as Srinagar Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (SMRDA) for which necessary
provisions in the existing legislation need to be made. Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) also needs to be made more vibrant in terms
of socio-economic development including town planning and delivery of functions as per the 74th Constitutional Amendment. It is strongly
felt that SMC should also be re-organised as per the proposal submitted to the Government. Also the institutional capacities of Town
Planning Organisation Kashmir, ULBs etc have to be upgraded equally on mission mode as they have a key role to play in the overall
development of the city.

The Srinagar Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (SMRDA) with well-established departments shall ensure that planning and
development become a continuous process and does not calumniate with the formulation of a Master Plan only or piecemeal execution of
individual projects. It shall ensure implementation of Master Plan as per priorities, its timely review and updation, assessment of policy
domain, preparation of Core Area Plan, Zonal plans, reform priority as per the changing requirements of the city etc. Unlike existing
arrangements, SMRDA act an interface between developers/investors and primary stakeholders in urban development.

Further, the building permission process is so protracted and becoming an as alibi for violations. The building permission regime needs to be
simplified so that planned development is not impeded by the protracted building permission process. A single window BOCA clearance
system needs to be adopted within stipulated time period. It is also envisaged that the Authority shall be kept abreast of any activity, and
the execution of any development activity or project shall start only after securing permission from the Authority.

Recapitulation of Recommendations:
 A time-bound review of all departments in terms of their functions, staff and capacities.
 Assessment of public departments vis-à-vis the best public institutions of most efficient cities in the world.
 Review of recruitment rules and rationalisation of existing staff across all departments.
 Consolidate and transfer all existing municipal planning and economic development functions to Srinagar Municipal Corporation as
per the 74th CAA.
 Creating a robust, modern Municipal Planning and Development Department that includes the planning, building inspection and
enforcement, city engineering, economic development, community development and neighbourhood services, redevelopment, urban
renewal, downtown development, housing, historic preservation and parking services in a single administrative agency.
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 Create easy public access to information, procedures and processes.

Use of Technology
One of the main reasons for the non-regulation of building activity has been the overwhelming dependence on the human element in the
enforcement by the Municipal Corporation and Development Authorities. These institutions need to use the available technologies like the
satellite imageries, aerial photographs, GIS software and detection software for planning, building permission and enforcement.
Technological intervention will facilitate transparent planning, building permission and the regulation of the building activity in the local
area. These institutions should hire professional town planners who shall be supported by proper technological platform for taking the
Municipal Corporation and Development Authorities to 21st Century. The trend of the employment of the Architects, Engineers and
Draftsmen in the planning wing of these institutions should be stopped forthwith.

Accountability
One of the key reasons for the violations in Srinagar Local Area is the lack of individual accountability of the planners, engineers and
enforcement officers in the SMC, SDA and other ULBs. The institutions should create systems for not only fast tracking the processes but
also shall be prompt in holding the officers and officials accountable for violations and dilatory tactics adopted in dealing with the citizens.
One major intervention which can take the Municipal Corporation and the Development Authorities a long way towards planned
development and restore its credibility is the outsourcing of the building permissions, initially the residential, by registering qualified
Architects and Town Planners after building their capacities to handle the permissions simultaneously eliminating the role of draftsmen in
the process. Town Planning Organization shall be designated as the nodal agency for assisting the ULBs and Local Authority to set the
systems in place initially till the process takes off.
7.6 Defense Use
As per the existing landuse, the defense use is spread over an area of 23.0 sq. km. including many military and paramilitary establishments. The
widespread existence of military and paramilitary establsihemnts across Srinagar has actually surpassed its area under public infratsrcuture. The
statistics reveal that there is more area occupied by defense use than the area used for the development of District, Divisional and State level
public and semi-public infrastrcuture. The indiscriminate dispersal of defense establishments in every nook and corner of the city including the
civilian areas is construed as a major impediment in city development. Adopting the guidelines of the Ministry of Defense, the situation will
become more grim causing undesirable strain on urban infrastructure. Undoubtedly defense is a non-urban use which if not shifted needs to

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be consolidated at select locations in the periphery of city. As such, it is strongly recommended that the existing defense establishments need
to be consolidated or re-organized by shifting such establishments located deep inside civilian areas, important commercial areas, public
buildings, etc. As an immediate policy measure, the army establishments at Tatoo Ground, Alouchibagh and civilin areas need to be shifted at
the earliest.

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8. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT


Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization is fast resulting in depletion, deterioration and over-extraction of the ecological
resources. Protecting our rich biodiversity is directly tied with the city‘s sustainability and attractiveness as a place to live, work and visit. It is
also clear that addressing environmental issues at the city level will not be possible without appropriate urban planning interventions.
Resilience to potential environmental disasters can be increased through proper urban and land use planning (UN-HABITAT, 2010). The Master Plan has
the spotlight to integrate urban planning to environmental sustainability emphasizing governance by environmental agencies, institutions and
stakeholders. This chapter is focused on protecting and restoring our ecology, and improving the environmental conditions of the city to
sustain urbanization.

Srinagar City and its surrounding areas has an extensive ecological footprint of rivers, streams, lakes, canals, wetlands, forests, hills, gardens,
orchards and agricultural fields. Anchar, Kushalsar, Dal Lake, and Nageen Lake are some of the significant lakes and Hokersar and many
smaller wetlands are the ecological assets of the region. River Jhelum runs through the Valley and old Srinagar city was built around it. The
Kashmir Valley is surrounded by lofty Himalayas on all sides. The Glacial Flooding and Jhelum River have sculpted much of the city‘s
topography over tens of thousands of years. Srinagar City lies in an ecologically fragile region with a number of wetlands, lakes and other
water bodies. The Floods of September 2014 exposed the vulnerabilities of the city and the inevitability of a cautious and structured planning
process for its survival. The structure of the planning process has to be comprehensive and hierarchical using the scientific data in the form of
layers based on geology, hydrology, soils, fault lines, floods and seismic vulnerability.

8.1 Lakes, Wetlands and Waterways


8.1.1 Lakes
Last four decades of ―urbanization‖ has compromised many water bodies, and fragmented the complex ecosystems connecting these water
bodies. The water bodies and the complex ecosystems including their connectivity need to be further researched in detail and both at Srinagar
Master Plan Level as well as the regional level. So far the focus has only been on the Dal Lake as a tourism asset. The Dal Lake is connected to
Jhelum, its outfall channels go to Brari Numbal, Khushalsar, and Gilsar. Water from Khushalsar goes to Anchar Lake which is also fed by Sindh
Nallah. The Sindh Nallah also feeds the Rakhi Shallabug, Harran Forest and then joins Jhelum River at Sangam. The complex systems of these
water bodies and their relationships need to be studied in detail. Khushalsar and Anchar Lake, the major urban lakes are facing serious
urbanization challenges and their death in turn will lead to the death of the Dal Lake. These water bodies have huge environmental and

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ecological value and potential for tourism and economic development of Srinagar. The vegetable demand of Srinagar has historically been met
by the Dal, Anchar and Khushalsar lakes; hence the city owes its existence to these lakes and wetlands.

The lakes and wetlands have not been only the reserves of biodiversity and ecology but also acted as flood sponges. Lakes are cultural,
ecological and economic resources and the vision for the preservation and conservation of the lakes should be comprehensive encompassing
all these aspects. Ignoring one aspect may lead to skewed vision with disastrous consequences for lakes and water bodies. Srinagar was very
much a ‗landscape of gardens‘ in Mughal days, closely linked to other historical layers such as the Naga/Tirtha. The senseless urbanization of
these fragile areas has not only compromised the status of Srinagar as an ace tourist destination in South Asia but has affected the resilience of
the city to withstand to flood and other vulnerabilities.

Freshwater resources are considered to be the wealth of a nation, but our indiscriminate exploitation of these resources has led to their
deterioration and caused them to lose their importance. Lakes not only provide the most easily accessible source of freshwater for humans but
also provide a habitat for much of the planet‘s aquatic biological diversity. Lakes exhibit a complex interaction among physical, chemical, and
biological processes but the human interventions are modifying all three of these drivers, resulting in the service functions and ecology of
lakes getting compromised. Excessive water withdrawals, exotic biota, and overfishing also threaten the integrity of lakes. As a general rule, it
is more cost-effective to control problems at their source than to undertake remedial action (World Bank, 2003).

8.1.2 Wetlands and Marshes


The lakes and wetland system of Srinagar city is unique providing natural habitat, migration routes and other ecological services, and
contribute to residents‘ health, recreation and enjoyment. Unlike Dal Lake, other water bodies which inter alia include the Hokersar, Anchar,
Khushal Sar, Brari Numbal, Numble Narkara, etc have been grossly ignored. Hokersar is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum
basin remaining with the Reed beds of Kashmir and pathway of (68) waterfowl species. Hokersar covers an area of around 13.75 Sq. Km. and

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Map 8-1: Ecological Resources of Srinagar Local Area

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was officially declared as a RAMSAR Site No: 1570 on 08/11/20051.2 The Dal Lake which has been focus of conservation by the government will
not be able to survive if the degradation of other water bodies continues. Due to complex interconnectivity of these water bodies,
comprehensive environmental studies of other water bodies need to be undertaken immediately.

8.1.3 River Jhelum


The River Jhelum is the back spine of city‘s ecology
and its importance can be equated with that of the
jugular vein in human body. Besides natural ecology,
Jhelum is the chord of our cultural ethos of over 2500
years. The river connects us to our past and guides us
through our future.

The city‘s heritage and its renaissance are painted on


the banks of river Jhelum in terms of historical
buildings, Khanqas, temples, churches etc. The River
Jhelum flowing through heart of Srinagar has
attained the title of Venice of East for the city.
Preservation of this precious treasure is another
spotlight of this master plan. However, its
preservation has to be linked to the conservation of its Table 8-1: Use based Classification of Surface waters in India (Source: CBCB)
heritage resources from Zero Bridge to Cement Kadal
along its both banks. Apart from historic seven bridges, there are 26 ghats which need immediate restoration. Jhelum which has been thrown
into backyards has to be made as face of old city which it historically used to be. The I&FCD has already started restoration of its banks under

1
(Source: Department of Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing, J&K)

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its Jhelum Riverfront Project; however, the project needs to be made broad-based and upgraded to a Jhelum Revitalisation Plan. The project
area shall be delineated on the basis of natural watershed. The main components of this project can be:
 Ecological restoration of river banks, historical bridges and ghats
 Retrofitting of historical buildings, religious shrines, temples etc. as part of its Conservation Plan
 Development of pathways
 Provision of public facilities and services
 Sullage and Sewerage
 Drainage
 Water transport
 Activity spaces for child recreation
 Display centres for showcasing out local craft and arts.

Water Quality

The direct disposal of waste into the water bodies has not only declined the quality of water in these water bodies but has also generated a
number of health problems. There shall be proper disposal plans for solid and liquid waste ensuring that these do not harm our environment
any more.

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8.2 Rationale for conservation


The conservation and management of lakes and reservoirs must enter the mainstream of the economic development process through
comprehensive water resources management and regulated urban development. Actions to improve management of lake basin resources on a
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sustainable basis are necessary due to high levels of direct and indirect pressures on lakes and reservoirs from large populations inhabiting
lake watersheds, rapid population growth, urbanization, excavation, growth of irrigated agriculture fields and impacts of climate change
which are altering ecosystem processes and threatening the capacity of lakes and reservoirs to perform the requisite ecosystem functions and
provide basic services for human needs. The Master Plan endeavours to get the lake and wetland conservation in the mainstream urban
planning and development process by prescribing strategies which inter-alia include buffers for their conservation.

8.2.1 Dal Lake


Dal Lake has historically supported the city supplying vegetables and fish also playing an important role in sustainable water management,
supporting a number of human activities, including horticulture, commerce, transport, sports and recreation, tourism, food production etc.
Lake dwellers have historically been part of the lake ecosystems and the lake is also home to a variety of unique animal and plant organisms.
The settlement plan for the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers needs to be revisited to the extent to uphold this symbiotic relationship, and the
Vision Document under preparation by IIT Roorkee shall provide the basic platform for the same defining the carrying capacity of the
lake in more concrete terms.

i. Issues
i. Rampant construction of houses within the lake;
ii. Shrinkage in area due to development of hamlets and conversion of water body into floating gardens within the lake;
iii. Lake pollution: Sewage, Solid waste, agriculture run-off with harmful pesticides etc.;
iv. Drastic reduction in the capacity of water channels leading to reduced circulation;
v. Reduction in fresh water inflow;
vi. Excessive weed growth and eutrophication;
vii. Depletion of lake bed and choking of springs within the lake;
viii. Loss of habitat of many aquatic species;
ix. Resettlement of Dal dwellers;
x. Large-scale destruction of forests and erosion in the catchment area;
xi. Ecologically unsound irrigation practices;
xii. Water and soil contamination from uncontrolled use of pesticides, raw sewage disposal and lake siltation;
xiii. Uncontrolled urban and other forms of development;
xiv. Pressure from increasing and uncontrolled tourism development; and

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xv. Use of polythene and plastics.


ii. Causes of Dal Lake Degradation— as per DPR of AHEC‐ IIT Roorkee
i. The Dal Lake boundary is not properly defined along western periphery.
ii. Encroachment due to unplanned urbanization and tourist activities.
iii. Drastic change in land use/land cover of catchment area.
iv. Reduction in volume by siltation mainly due to catchment area degradation.
v. Increased pollution because of the increasing number of lake dwellers and floating gardens.
vi. Entry of untreated sewage and solid waste from the peripheral areas and from the hamlets and house boats and agricultural return
flow from catchment into the lake.
vii. Construction of roadways disturbs the routine and smooth flow or hydraulic movements of water within the lake.
viii. Reduction and clogging of water channels within the lake because of encroachments leading to reduce circulation.
ix. Loss of settling basin and bio-filters due to dumping of dredged material from the lake.
x. Lack of adequate infrastructure—sanitation infrastructure of Dal dwellers and catchment areas.
xi. Reduction of fresh water inflow into the lake.
xii. Institutional deficiency, hence data deficiency vis-à-vis water quality monitoring, mushrooming of alien species, weed growth etc.
xiii. Lack of integrated planning and weak inter-sectorial co-ordination;
xiv. Inappropriate water management;
xv. Lack of financial and technical resources for ecosystem management and conservation;
xvi. Limited income generation opportunities leading to unsustainable use of natural resources and pressure on the ecosystem.
xvii. Limited incentives or disincentives to prevent or control environmentally unsustainable practices.
xviii. Lack of awareness among key stakeholders and general public about the ecological values of the lake, its potential, and the
corresponding need for its conservation.

iii. Recommendations

It is felt that we may permanently lose the water body if measures are not taken to firmly define the boundaries followed by types of actions—
treatment within and outside the lake—to protect the Dal Lake from being depleted by inside/outside demands and to preserve this precious
treasure of Kashmir valley. Based on the comprehensive study of all reference documents, the Master Plan-2035 makes following policies:

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iv. Treatment within the Lake


i. Clearly demarcate the lake margin especially along its western side by way of some physical delineation as shown in the Master Plan
(Western Foreshore Road from Dalgate to Saidakadal as greenway), ensuring that both encroachment and entry of pollutants into the
lake are completely restricted.
ii. Ensure Un-interrupted flow of water towards Nallah Amir Khan.
iii. Maintain gauges for maintaining water level of at least [11 feet] from the bed level.
iv. Strong flushing and recirculation of water should be done periodically.
v. The State Pollution Control Board shall regularly check the water quality of both Dal and Nigeen lakes and the quality norms
prescribed shall be the guiding principles of lake conservation.
vi. Revival of defunct springs by the removal of sediments and garbage.
vii. Encouraging freshwater supply through inlets for maintaining health of the lake.
viii. Restricting the growth of alien species within the lake.
ix. Integrated approach for the conservation of Dal and Nigeen Lakes, wetlands and water channels connecting them through Nallah Amir
Khan.
x. Improvement of the settling basin.
xi. The floating gardens are unique feature of the Dal Lake but their proliferation in the water expanse is also a potential threat to the
Lake ecosystem. These along with other encroachments need to be monitored using the real time data and detection software on
periodical basis minimizing the human element in monitoring.
xii. Alignment of houseboats to houseboat zone which is fully equipped with trunk infrastructure. The implementation of the alignment
of houseboats along the Dole Demb has been tardy with insignificant progress. However, its effect on the lake ecology and impact of
winds on the realigned houseboats at Dole Demb needs to be scientifically assessed before its implementation.
xiii. Preventing new arrivals of invasive species and reducing the spread of those already here. Reduction of nutrient load to reduce the
dominance of blue-green algae. Comprehensive efforts for the replacement of water lilies—Nymphia—by lotus.
xiv. Action needs to be taken now to protect and restore the remaining natural habitats in the Lake so that future generations can enjoy
them as we do today.
xv. Improvement of lakeshore scenery aesthetic appearance of the lakeshore should be improved by afforestation, development of parks
and gardens, planting of trees.

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All these proposals based on scientific understanding have to be translated in the form of robust urban development policy framework for the
Dal catchment.
Catchment Management Plan / Urban Development Regulation
The objective of the Master Plan is to provide the land use policy for the city which will also facilitate the preservation of the complex lake and
wetland system within the city and on its periphery. The specific objective of the Master Plan for Dal lake catchment is to prescribe the Land
use which will ensure that the lake is preserved for posterity. The Vision Plan for the lake has been assigned to Civil Engineering Department,
IIT Roorkee and the Master Plan Team interacted with the IIT Roorkee Team a few times but the policies of the Vision Document could not be
incorporated in the master plan as the document was not finalised. However, the proposals of the Master Plan will need to be readjusted
through Zonal Plans based on the policy framework prescribed in the Vision Document after it is finalized by the Consultants.

Objectives
o Protect and enhance water quality
o Reduce consumption of potable water
o Increase use of captured or recycled site water
o Reduce and manage surface runoff as storm water

Drainage System
Goal: Reduce and manage the material considered WASTE

Objectives

o 1. Consider waste as a resource for the input stream


o 2. Decrease consumption and increase recycling of organic and non-organic materials
o 3. Promote on-site waste management strategies: construction waste, household, institutional, energy
o 4. Increase community awareness of waste management strategies to rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle and repair
o 5. Foster partnerships with business and industry to demonstrate waste management strategies

 Restoring the inflow and outflow channels entering or coming out of water body including Jhelum.
 Restoration of Drainage network: There is a need for urgent plans for the revival of all water bodies and wetlands in Srinagar city
along with their historical channels for the preservation of Dal Lake and other water bodies saving the city from the imminent flood

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disasters. However; the revival of Nallah Mar may be difficult but comprehensive plans for the revival of water bodies including the
Tchuntikul, Sunrikul, Kitha Khul, Doodganga Nallah and other water bodies needs to be undertaken immediately. The IFCD has already
started the dredging and cleaning of River Jhelum and the similar work needs to be taken up for other channels ensuring their survival.
 The urban runoff from the Catchment needs to be controlled and treated by the setting up of bio-filter around the lake and other
measures.
 Dockyard for houseboat repairs has to be upgraded.
 Nitrogen and Phosphorus elements entering into the Lake seem to be a major threat to its existence; as such their direct passage into
the lake shall be restricted or their impact neutralised.
 Reduce and Restrict run-off from farm fields: Rainwater carrying nutrients, sediments, fertilizers and pesticides from farm fields into
Dal Lake needs to be restricted, reduced and redirected into the Anchar Lake by constructing a hillside drainage channel along the
proposed Shalimar-Pandach Road (ORR) from Shalimar to Anchar. The agricultural practices in the lake catchment should adhere to
the environmental guidelines of Lake DPR with major focus on plantation and pasture development.
 Reduce use of pesticides and fertilizers in catchment: Many of the chemicals used in lawns end up being washed away into sewers
and eventually into the lake. Once in our waterways, the additional nutrients provided by these contaminants can cause algal blooms
and harm aquatic species. Lakes and Waterways Development Authority in consultation with experts should come up with an
alternative—plant native species that are easier to maintain and that can survive without extra pesticides and fertilizers.
 Use organic gardening techniques such as composting and mulching to control weeds and keep plants healthy.
 Preserve and restore wetlands of the local area.
 Restore river and near shore habitats to support the return of native fish.
 Inspection of manure management and enforcement of regulations at livestock breeding farms shall be improved.
 Repair aging sewage treatment systems: Sewage treatment plants in the Lake area are five in number with overall capacity of about 37
MLD currently treating about 32 MLD. Three of these STPs based on FAB technology are old, unable maintain the standards of effluent
quality and demands of a growing population and increased service areas. There is a need for comprehensive review of existing
sewerage system and plan for complete sewage treatment along with the specific recommendation regarding the technology shall be
undertaken in the vision document under preparation. Other two are based on SBR technology whereas Telbal and parts of Zakura area
do not have STPs which need to be taken up on priority basis. It is imperative in this context to look at alternate decentralized waste
water system like DEWATS and PHYTORID as measures for managing sewage and preventing degradation of the lakes and water
bodies.

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 There should be a separate and effective solid waste management in the Dal Lake and its catchment area to reduce the inflow of waste
into the lake.
 Denudation of city forests resulting in excessive soil erosion in catchment areas, increasing the siltation in lakes and wetlands,
indiscriminate discharge of domestic effluents and run-off from agricultural fields leading to environmental degradation of rivers,
eutrophication of lakes and wetlands and stone quarrying and excavation of hill slopes/karewas for building material are some of major
environmental concerns city is facing.

Strategies for ecological restoration of lakes, water bodies, forests and open spaces
 Increase the green footprint in the city by profuse plantation on open spaces, along roads for avenue planation, hills and hillocks,
conservation Reserve, flood absorption basin etc.
 It would be desirable to prepare a Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan for Srinagar Local Area on Regional
Environmental Assessment (REA) approach. The REA approach allows for comprehensive and cumulative assessment of
environmental issues and impacts arising from multiple projects and activities that are planned and expected to be implemented
during the plan period, and can be used to establish environmentally sound development policy.
 Comprehensive incorporation of seismic building code, rainwater harvesting, green belt protection, etc.
Land Use Policy
Objectives

1. Protect, restore and enhance natural features, functions and linkages


2. Limit and manage the environmental impact of new development
3. Promote native species, increase urban tree canopy and enhance habitat to support natural community health, linkages and biodiversity,
absorb CO2, and reduce the heat island effect
4. Plan for walk able and age-friendly communities
5. Increase local food production and use

Encourage Low Impact Development and Comprehensive Land Use Planning:

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The Master Plan should be followed by a detailed Zonal Plan of the Dal Catchment area and the same shall be implemented through a Town
Planning Scheme (TPS) to specify the detailed land use taking into account the topography, hydrology, vegetation, ecology and settlement
pattern of the area. The Land use policy for the catchment area shall be based on land suitability analysis supported by the research classifying
the Dal catchment into high, moderate and low priority zones with the bottom-line of the preservation of lake. However, till the preparation of
Zonal Plan, the Master Plan recommends a set of building bylaws which need to be followed for lake area till the specific byelaws are framed
and per se should be consistent with the Vision Document for the lake area presently under preparation.

Buffer Zones/Green Belts

Buffers are the zones of vegetation between waterways and developed land that act as natural filters of toxins and contaminants. They also
prevent erosion providing habitat for many species. The ecotones (the transition area) need to be preserved by restricting any form of
construction from the lake periphery. Buffers are vital elements of watersheds and are essential to mitigate and control pollution from
nonpoint sources. The purpose is to provide regulations for planting trees, shrubs and landscaping in these areas as well as to prevent soil
erosion.

Table 8-2: Dal and Nigeen Lake Buffers


Sl. No. Zone/ Area Green Belt /Buffer (mtr.)
1 Dalgate and Nehru Park 50 meter from edge of the lake or building line
whichever is more
2 Nehru Park to Nishat junction (NFR) 100 meter from edge of the lake
3 Nishat Garden to Naseem Bagh
4 Naseem Bagh to Ashai Bagh Bridge, Nigeen
5 Around Nigeen Lake from Nigeen Club up to Saidakadal As shown in the Proposed Landuse Plan
6 Western periphery of Dal Lake from Saidakadal to Dalgate 50 meter from centre of the proposed Dalgate –
Saidakadal Western Foreshore Road or the required
green belt whichever is more
7 Telbal Nallah (from edge of Nallah) 50
8 Nallah Amir Khan 20
9 Other Tributary Nallahs that feed into the Lake 20
10 Circulation/ Navigation Channels /Irrigation Channels 20

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Buffer zones/Green Belts around wetlands, lakes and other water bodies shall be adequate to ensure that their functions are protected and
maintained in the long term. Buffer zone widths and management shall take into account the ecological functions of the water bodies, the
potential impacts associated with the adjacent land use, and other relevant factors including flood plain. Buffers also add aesthetic value to the
system. With all these benefits, it makes sense to propose buffer zones/green belts around each water body as ecotones in which vegetation is
protected and maintained. The Committee recommends that the buffers envisaged in the master plan around important water bodies and
wetlands like Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Brari Numbal, Khualsar, Gilsar and Anchar and other wetlands shall be subject to the outcome of
standing pill filed in the Hon‘ble High Court.

8.2.2 Other wetlands


General Recommendations
 In order to support ecologically sound mobility in tourism, the activity needs to be taxed based on externalities of each type of tourism.
 In order to reduce the burden of mobile recreational traffic, the public routes leading from the area around the lake to the lakeside
communities must be greatly improved.
 Navigational infrastructure must be established in accordance with the needs of nature and the landscape, i.e. no extension of the harbours
along Lake
Table 8-3: Buffers around Lakes/ Wetlands other than Dal & Nigeen Lake
Sl. No. Name of Water body Buffer in Meters
200 metre along south, north and west sides and 30 eastern side
1 Anchar lake/ Shalbug Nambal /Haran Forest
from Soura to Pandach
2 Baba Demb/ Brari Nambal As per the proposed Building Line
3 Hokarsar Wetland 200 metre from Sahriefabad to Narbal along South and west sides
Hokarsar Wetland along eastern boundary 50 metre from Sahariefabad to Narbal along east and north sides
4 Khushalsar/Gilsar 50 metre from lake fringe
5 Phashakun Pampore 50 metre from lake fringe
6 Sukhnag Nallah 50 metre from edge of the Nallah
7 Small lake near Phashakun 20 metre from lake edge
8 Drangbal Nambal and Budsar 50 metre from lake fringe
9 Doodhganga Nallah 20 metre from edge
10 Mirgund Jheel 50 metre from edge of the Jheel

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11 Nambal Narkur 100 meter metre from edge


12 Rakhi Rabitaar 50 meter from edge
13 Sind Nallah 50 meter from edge of the Nallah
14 Wudin 20 meter from edge
15 Other Small Water bodies 20 meter from edge of the water body
16 Sharab Kul 20 metre downhill side
17 Circulation/ Navigation Channels /Irrigation Channels 20 meter uphill metre from edge of the Channel

 Interests of traditional users of lake should be protected by compensation or by providing them employment opportunities in cleaning and
dredging the lake.
 Making lakes centre of recreation alone only will destroy them beyond repair. Therefore; tourist levy should be charged for using the lake
directly or indirectly.
8.2.3 Wetland Reserves
The buffer zones for wetland reserves are same as listed, however those wetland reserves which are not listed in the same Chapter shall follow
the 100 meter buffer around them to protect and enhance the terrestrial and aquatic health of the natural heritage system. Some regulations are
being laid on the mining, quarrying works and industrial uses in close proximity of the national forests or sanctuaries under the Wildlife
Protection Act Rules.

No SEZs may be planned in the sensitive areas such as the forests, archeologically important sites, sensitive ecosystems, etc. A buffer zone of
1000 m shall be maintained from such sensitive areas and a greenbelt with tree density of 1000 trees/ acre shall be developed in the said buffer
zone. Buffer zone in case of Mining Lease (ML) area up to 25 ha is to be considered as 5 km all around the periphery of the core zone and for
ML area above 25 ha, an area 10 km all around the periphery of the core zone.

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Table 8-4: Eco-sensitive areas and Natural Reserves


Area
Category Name Proposed width of Buffer Zones (Metre)
(Sq. km.)
National Park Dachigam National Park 141 1000 (metre)
Conservation Reserves Khrew 50.25 As indicated in the proposed Land use Plan-2035
Khonmoh 67.00
Brain Nishat 15.75
Khimber Dara Shrazbal 34.00
Wetland Reserves Hokersar (Ramsar Site) 13.75 As provided in Table 4-6 below
Mirgund 4.00
Shalbug 16.00
Pampore 0.25
(Chatlam) 0.25
Manibugh, Kranchoo, Chandhara -

8.2.4 Dachigam National Park


Dachigam National Park located at a distance of 22 km from Srinagar covering an area of 141 Sq. Kms. is famous for Hangul— Kashmiri Stag.
Considering it as a precious environmental asset of the national importance, the buffer zone of ONE KM radius is provided around its
primary boundary [to be established with the concerned] which is in sync with the standing Wildlife Protection Act and its Rules.

8.2.5 Conservation Reserves


As per National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) 2002‐2016, ―All identified areas around protected areas and wildlife corridors are to be declared
as ecologically fragile under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.‖ Conservation Reserves include Khrew, Khunmoh, Brain, Nishat, Khimber,
Dara and Shrazbal. In the buffer zone, adjoining or surrounding core zone, uses and activities are managed in the ways that help in protection
of core zone in its natural condition. These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the
resources, sustainable recreation, eco-tourism, fishing, grazing, etc. which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and
educational activities are to be encouraged. Human activities, if natural within these areas may continue provided these do not adversely
affect the ecological diversity of the area.

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8.2.6 Natural Endowment and Landscape Areas


Known for historical Mughal Gardens, Srinagar city is ironically lacking sufficient organised green spaces3. Even more precarious situation is
seen in the Core City which is comprehensively without any natural vegetation presenting a desolate outlook. The once lush green forest
areas, the Zabarwan hills, Kohi Sulauiman and Kohi Maran or Hari Parbat have turned into barren hillocks with a huge footfall of habitations in
their foothills. Being a tourist city, Srinagar needs careful Landscape Planning in terms of plantation of indigenous trees along hills, open
lands, roads, buffers, parks and gardens. Presently, the city has around 480 hectares under parks and gardens4. Except for few gardens, it has
lost many historic gardens due to indifference and apathetic attitude. Gardens like Dewan Bagh, Baghi Ali Mardan, Baghi Dilawar Khan have
already been lost. The Master Plan provides the last opportunity to rediscover the plethora of these gardens which still exist and connect them
with other gardens and other open spaces and take it further through a comprehensive plan for redeeming the open spaces of the city. To
increase the tree canopy, it is strongly recommended that plantation of non-local trees along road medians or buffers should be discarded and
replaced by local species at the earliest. Priority should be given to trees having better environmental value in terms of foliage and growth.
Historic trees like Chinar need to be protected to preserve character of the city. The Government should incentivise plantation of trees inside
the premises of properties abutting roads. It is also provided that the green belt along the NH Bypass shall be brought under profuse
plantation including Kashmiri Willow and Chinars and a series of connected green spaces for leisure and recreation.

The Master Plan upholding the vision of Srinagar Municipal Corporation of ‗Clean Srinagar Green Srinagar‘ envisages that a series of
interconnected open spaces and public parks need to be developed. With just less than 1.5% of its developed area under recreation, Srinagar is
unusually far behind other metro cities in India in terms of its organised green cover5. Need of the hour is to have an Action Plan for holistic
development of organised public open spaces in each ward and village. In this direction, Town Planning Organisation Kashmir has already
prepared a draft sketch of Action for augmenting the green cover in Srinagar city.

Action Plan for augmenting the green cover in Srinagar city

Due to unprecedented urbanization, the gap between city inhabitants and nature is increasing. The concretization of cities and towns has adversely impacted the natural
environment. The space to be utilized for open green has become limited as the cities and towns experience growth. Urban greenery is one of the ways to bridge this gap

3
The master plan proposes a minimum of 3.5% of organised green space in terms of public parks and open spaces
4
As per data, Srinagar city has more than 200 parks which are maintained by Department of Floriculture
5
Studies show that most of the green cities in the world have more than 15% of their surface area under green spaces

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between people and nature. High population density is also another reason for poor development of urban greenery. An attempt has been made to analyse the area under
recreation/open space for different cities based on the data given in their respective Master/Development Plans. It has been found that the quantum of per capita green space
required for cities varies across different countries of the world. Green space coverage in world cities varies marked ranging from 1.9% (Reggio di Calabria, Italy) to 46%
(Ferrol, Spain). Aarhus, with a population of 0.3 million is the second largest city in Denmark. Its Green Structure Plan was prepared as part of the planning reforms of the
1970s with a mission as “no dwelling should be more than 500 metres from a green area of at least 6,000 SQM”. In Curitiba (Brazil) with a population of over 1.7 million,
witnessed reduced per capita urban green space of 1.0SQMin 1970 which through consistent efforts by local authorities has was successfully increased to 51.5 SQM over
next 40 years.

Currently developed countries have tended to adopt a general standard of green space of 20SQM per capita. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that cities
should provide 9 SQM of undeveloped (unpaved) open space for every inhabitant. The WHO also suggests designing green area networks so that all residents live within a
15 minute walk to an open space. There is yet another yardstick, which refers to London but has relevance to any other city. Sir Patrick Abercrombie formulated the Greater
London Plan in 1946 proposing that 1.62 Ha of open space per 1000 population was a reasonable figure to adopt for London. The plan also explained that all forms of open
spaces need to be considered as a whole, and to be co-ordinated into closely-linked park system, with parkways along existing and new roads forming the links between the
larger parks. Canberra planned by Sir Walter Griffin has an extensive integrated network of open spaces that harbour more than 40% of the nationally listed threatened
ecological vegetation. Despite development pressures, Wellington in New Zealand has 200 SQM per capita of green space.

In India, the existing availability of per capita open space varies from 0.81 SQM in Chennai to 278 SQM in Greater NOIDA signifying the wide variation. Cities like
Varanasi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Bhopal, Allahabad and NOIDA have more than the WHO prescribed norm of 9 SQM whereas cities like Bengaluru, Ludhiana and Amritsar
have less than the norm ranging from 1% to 5%. It is interesting to note that in Greenfield Townships like Greater NOIDA, the per capita availability of open space works out
to 278 SQM which is very high. This is illustrated by the fact that Greater NOIDA Master Plan has provided ample space for urban greens with most of the residential sectors
earmarking large chunks of land under green.

Urban Green Space Standards:


The open spaces can include the following three categories, namely:
a) Recreational space
b) Organised green
c) Other common open spaces (such as vacant lands/ open spaces including flood plains, forest cover etc. in plain areas.

As per the URDPFI Guidelines, the suggested standards for open spaces in large and metropolitan cities are 1.2 to 1.4 ha per 1000 persons, depending upon the land
availability. The older parts of the large cities have normally been found highly deficient with respect to the availability of open spaces, thus additional provisions in the new
development may also take care of the existing deficiencies. For large and metro cities, provisions shall also be made for city level special parks such as botanical and
zoological parks, picnic huts, children parks, amusement parks, etc.

Considering open spaces including all the above‐mentioned categories, provision of 10‐12 SQM per person may be desirable. However; in hilly areas, the protected
zones and ecological conservation areas shall be considered to be over and above this open space requirement. In the built up areas (excluding recreational space, vacant
land, flood plain, forest) the National Building Code suggests per capita green space @ 3 SQM as minimum norm. The hierarchy for organised green such as parks, play
fields and other open spaces like specified park, amusement park, maidan, a multipurpose open space, botanical garden and zoological parks, traffic parks etc. are as under:

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Sl. No. Planning Unit Population Served Area Requirement per unit No. of units

1 Housing Cluster 5000 0.50 3-4 local parks and playgrounds


2 Neighbourhood 15000 1.00 3-4 local parks and playgrounds
3 Community 100,000 5.00 2-3 community parks and playgrounds

4 District/ Zone 500,000 25.00 1 district level park and sports centre, maidan

5 Sub city centre 10,00,000 100.00 1 city level park, sports complex, botanical / zoological
garden, maidan

Concerned Line Departments


The departments which are directly responsible for the development and maintenance of public parks in J&K are as follows—
 Department of Floriculture
 Srinagar Municipal Corporation;
 Srinagar Development Authority
 J&K Housing Board;
 Landscape Division, PW(R&B) Department

As per the statistics provided by various departments who are responsible for the development and maintenance of parks in their respective jurisdictions, there are as many
as 169 parks existing in Srinagar city with a total area of about 287 ha against the minimum standard of 570 ha as provided in the Urban and Regional Development Plans
Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI, Vol. I) Guidelines, 2015. This implies that the total area available under organised parks and gardens is deficient by close to
50% of the total requirement. There is no denying the fact that Srinagar city is grossly deficient in organised green spaces (parks and gardens). As such, the city needs to
have a long term Action Plan across departments/sectors to meet out the deficiency of green spaces in incremental manner over a period of time.

Guiding Principles for Urban Green Spaces:


Urban green space is a significant part of sustainable development. Development of urban green spaces needs to consider interdisciplinary and integrative approaches such
as economic, political, social, cultural, management and planning aspects to improve existing urban green spaces‟ facilities and services, and to optimize urban green space
policies. The definition of urban green spaces which is agreed on by ecologists, economists, social scientists and planners is public and private open spaces in urban areas,
primarily covered by vegetation, which are directly (e.g. active or passive recreation) or indirectly (e.g. positive influence on the urban environment) available for the users.
Based on the studies of different cities, different researchers provide some guiding principles to evaluate the nature of green spaces.
 Firstly, one of the main principal factors in determining the nature of green spaces is their quantity in the city.

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 Secondly, existing qualities like activities and experiences, and perceived benefits to the users determine the utilization of green spaces.
 Thirdly, the functionality of those green spaces is equally influenced by the location and distribution (accessibility) in the whole city.

Urban Green Space Interventions (UGSIs):


Open spaces serve a very important purpose in the relationship of man and the nature. If planned properly, they help in maintaining ecological balance. Highlighting this, it
is recommended that a system of open spaces be provided as part and parcel of the Master Plan of the city. These open spaces, depending upon their function can be within
the city and/or on its outskirts. They should include, apart from organized open spaces for recreational purposes, areas preserved as conservation reserves, forests, natural
landscape areas, wetlands, biodiversity zones etc. The essence of urban planning is to provide adequate and equitable services to all groups. They have influence and impact
on regional patterns of development, environmental impacts, and on maintaining socially acceptable levels of quality of life. The access to these basic amenities is critical
determinants of urban quality of living. Though these facilities form an important and integral part of life of any community, but they are unequally distributed with the city.
Inequalities in access to these facilities may be as a result of inefficiency in their distribution and allocation among various wards/zones. Therefore, the first key step in
this direction will be to understand the nature and pattern of their distribution across city before one makes an attempt to project and plan their future
development to bridge the existing gap. As a policy measure, it is stated that a comprehensive study needs to be done to:—
 Analyse the spatial distributional pattern and disparity of green spaces in Srinagar city;
 Identify the over served and underserved wards/zones for future planning of these amenities in the city.

It is strongly recommended that depending upon the requirement of the city, these open spaces should be adequately and uniformly distributed, and should be well defined in
area and landuse. This will help in checking encroachments and changes in their functional use. It is emphasized that a whole-to-part approach of spatial planning be
practiced. This calls for delineation and preparation of spatial development plans of each zone after approval of the master plan.

Urban Green Space Interventions can be defined as actions that significantly modify the quality, quantity and accessibility of urban green space. This can be done by
establishing new urban green spaces or by changing the characteristics and functions of existing ones. A broad spectrum of intervention types can be implemented at
different scales in open spaces. These include:
1 Pan City Interventions:
i. Implementation of Master Plan proposals:
The Master Plan upholding the vision of Srinagar Municipal Corporation of „Clean Srinagar Green Srinagar‟ proposes that a series of interconnected open spaces
and public parks need to be developed. The Master Plan proposes a minimum of 3.5% of organised green space under parks and gardens. Besides, the Master Plan
Srinagar-2035 envisages a slew of other important proposals which can be taken up as important tasks under this Action Plan to increase the footfall of green spaces
in Srinagar—
i. Development of Greenways or Green Corridors along arterial roads and water streams, transmission line corridors (RoWs) in partnership with locals. It is
envisaged that the open space along the NH Bypass shall be developed into a green belt with a provision for multiple recreational activities. It is emphasized
that a provision for profuse plantation of Kashmiri Willow and Chinar's within a series of connected parks be developed along the road;
ii. Connecting „Green with the Blue‟ by implementing shoreline/lake-fringe and riverfront development plans for Lakes, wetlands, rivers and other water bodies;

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iii. Creation of a baseline inventory of all ecological resources including parks and gardens, and maintaining a Green Register for their preservation and
protection from encroachments and landuse change;
iv. To desist the practice of converting the open spaces into community or marriage halls by various departments;
v. All green spaces that have been encroached over a period of time due to negligence of authorities, inadequate funding etc shall be retrieved in the first phase to
bridge the existing gap;
vi. Afforestation and biodiversity conservation along all hill slopes and open spaces;
vii. Restricted open spaces maintained by various agencies and institutions be made accessible to common people for leisure and recreation during morning and
evening hours;
viii. Profuse plantation of native trees along roads, green trails, walkways, cycle tracks etc to increase green foliage and maintain green to asphalt ratio. A
minimum of 15% geographical area in residential settlements, commercial establishments and public offices shall be brought under tree cover.

2 Zone/Neighbourhood Level Interventions:


i. Formulation and implementation of Zonal Plans within the ambit of an approved master plan to identify the areas or zones/neighbourhoods with adequate or
deficient green spaces. This will provide basis for the preparation of Neighbourhood Action Plans;
ii. Prepare Neighbourhood Action Plans for the identification and development of community and neighbourhood parks with active participation of local community;
iii. The SMC and SDA in partnership with Urban Forestry Division shall start a “Neighbour Wood Program” for each neighbourhood in collaboration with Mohalla
Committees to enhance and promote biodiversity of local cluster/community parks, green belts, buffer zones, incidental open spaces, individual lawns etc;
iv. Creating green spaces for community use by identifying and executing urban renewal, Urban Regeneration and Redeployment projects in the blighted and grey
areas of old city;
v. Development of green spaces as a buffer around all historic mosques and shrines as part of their conservation plans as mandated by various conservation laws;
vi. Formulation of Town Planning Schemes under the provisions of the J&K Town Planning Act, 1963 for planned development of residential neighbourhoods with
an adequate provision for green space;
vii. Strict enforcement of Zoning Regulations and Development Promotion Rules & Regulation /Municipal Bylaws;
viii. Promoting and encouraging group housing schemes (both colonies and flatted development) as per the group housing policy envisaged in the Master Plan-2035
for maintaining the desired green space ratio in residential neighbourhoods.

It is expected that with these steps at city and zone level, the deficiency of green spaces in Srinagar can be reduced by a significant proportion. Implementation of
Town Planning and group housing schemes on PPP basis will respectively ensure 15% and 30% of the total area earmarked for the development of organised public parks in
such residential neighbourhoods. Under such schemes, the Government‟s role is that of a „facilitator and regulator‟ only, and there wouldn‟t be any financial implications
accruing to the state exchequer. These models have yielded good results in other parts of the country as they do not involve any land acquisition.

3 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Scheme:


Providing basic services to households and build amenities in cities which will improve the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged is a national
priority. Under the scheme, enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks and recreation centres, especially for children is one of the key
thrust areas. In this regard, the State Government has already its State Action Annual Plan in 2015 (annually reviewed) in which it has been communicated that the existing

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per capita green space cover in Srinagar city will be upgraded to 4.5 SQM by 2020. To achieve the said target, the Housing & Urban Development Department has identified
a number of projects which will be completed up to 2020.

4. Srinagar Smart City Proposal:


 The Smart Cities Mission is new initiative by the Government of India to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local
development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens.
 Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with a mission to develop 100 cities all over the country making them
citizen friendly and sustainable. Smart Cities Mission envisions developing an area within 100 cities in the country as model areas based on an area development plan. It
is a five-year program, wherein financial aid will be given by the central and state government between 2017- 2022 to the cities and the mission will start showing
results from 2022 onwards. Srinagar was one of the 100 cities to be selected based on the Smart Cities challenge.
 The Government has constituted „Srinagar Smart City Limited‟ for implementation of Smart City Development Projects in Srinagar under Smart City Mission of
Government of India. Smart Cities Mission Strategy include Greenfield development under which one of the smart city proposal for Srinagar is “Preserving and
developing open spaces - parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces— in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens, reduce the urban heat effects and generally
promote eco-balance”.
Figure 8-1: Srinagar Residential SPM (g/m³)
600
Monitor and Evaluate Urban Green Space Interventions:
It is vital to monitor and evaluate urban green space interventions. Effective
500
monitoring and evaluation starts at the beginning of a project by reflecting on the
indicators that should be used to document the project outcomes, and by
400
incorporating monitoring and evaluation activities in the project timeline and
budget. Ensure that monitoring identifies whether the urban green space has
300
activated new users or whether visitors simply used other green areas before.
Mixed monitoring methods should be used involving civil societies, NGOs, CBOs, 200
Mohalla Committees etc. There are a range of social, educational and economic
benefits associated with community led green space renewal. 100

About 15% of area of any development project shall be earmarked 0


for the development of organised recreational facilities. Under JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
centrally funded scheme (CAMPA), intensive plantation drive SPCB Standards (Max) Srinagar Khrew Khonmoh
should be kick-started to grow trees along the Zabarwan hills, Kohi
Sulaiman and Hari Parbat etc. Areas earmarked for Ecological Reserves, City and District Parks, buffers etc. need to be developed without fail.
Srinagar city has a large chunk of land under graveyards and other burial and cremation grounds. Malkhah in the old city abutting Kalai can

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be developed into a vital lung space in this area. It is


Figure 8-2: Srinagar Residential (RSPM g/m³)
300 recommended that the State Government should ensure proper
landscaping of historic graveyards and Eidgahs for enriching
250 biodiversity and ecology in these areas. The CBD especially the
area from Dalgate to Lal Chowk has plethora of green spaces
200 disparate and not properly connected. All these spaces
including the Polo Ground, Emporium Garden, TRC Park/TRC
150 Ground, Golf Course, Chinar Bagh, and Sher-i-Kashmir Park
will have to be integrated into a Central City Park providing
100
multi-faceted experiences to the people.

50 The Master Plan takes cognizance for the need of promoting


SPCB Standards (Max) Srinagar Khrew Khonmoh avenue plantation along all city roads. In this connection as
0
recommended above, the government should partner with local
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
people especially the owners having roadside properties to
grow trees insides their premises along the wall abutting the road especially in such cases where the roads are devoid of side and central green
verges. It is strongly recommended that the construction of concrete and brick walls along the public buildings/offices shall be totally
banned and those having them shall be de-walled for creating see-through and a sense of more openness. It shall be started from Lal
Chowk and along the NH Bypass Bemina. The practice of constructing walls between two government buildings shall also be banned and
instead be constructed on the Concept of Connecting Lawns.

8.3 Air Quality and Water Resource and Management


The components, air, water and land, are core elements of the environment that sustain a city. Measures to reduce the City‘s impact upon
these resources will have a strong influence on city‘s quality of life and its ecology and thus improving its overall environmental performance.
Air Quality

The Valley cannot afford risking its quality of environment for more direct localised impacts. Smoke emissions and diesel exhausts are the
most harmful airborne source of pollution to human health. The city needs to partner with the Department of Forest and Urban Forestry for
increasing tree canopy to desirable level of 25% of its surface area. The SMC and SDA in partnership with Urban Forestry Division shall start

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―NeighbourWood Program‖ for each neighbourhood in collaboration with Mohallah Committees to enhance and promote biodiversity of local
cluster parks, green belts, buffer zones, incidental open spaces, individual lawns etc.

Industrial Pollution
Some industries [RED Category as per the J&KSPCB norms] like stone crushers, cement plants etc. having sprawled mainly in the southeast of
Srinagar not only declined the quality of environment but have become disasters for humans as well as wildlife. Some of them, as per the
Hon‘ble Supreme Court Guidelines, 2010 are even falling within the buffer zone and the Conservation Reserve of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary
as highlighted by the Department of Wildlife, J&K. The undesirable environmental effects of these industries lead to health related problems
among the locals in Khunmoh, Khrew and other nearby settlements. Figures 8-1 & 8-2 based on the inputs collected from State of Environment
Report J&K, 2013, prepared by the Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing, J&K clearly indicate that the concentration of SPM
and RSPM exceeds the standards of CPCB for industrial, residential as well as eco-sensitive zones for Khrew and Khunmoh areas. It is therefore,
recommended that these industries shall be phased out and the area be developed for replenishing the biodiversity lost over a period of time.
This shall however b subject to EIA as recommended by the Committee.

Objectives
1. Decrease corporate and community emissions released by vehicles, buildings and operations
2. Create walkable, bike and transit supportive urban environments
3. Enhance natural areas and increase the urban tree canopy.
4. Develop a strategy to support active transportation and traffic demand management

8.4 BUFFER Zones


Settlements existing within Buffer Zones
All the buffer zone areas shall remain in a natural condition. There shall be no clearing or cutting of trees, altering of watercourses, dumping
of trash, soil, dirt, vegetative, construction and demolition waste or other debris except for removal of dead vegetation and pruning for
reasons of public safety or for the replacement of invasive species with indigenous species. No new construction, development use, activity,
encroachment, or structure shall take place in a buffer zone, except as specifically authorized in this Section. However, the existing built up
within the areas specified as buffers shall be retained and considered for minor repairs till the finalisation of Relocation and
Rehabilitation Plan or as the Government may deem necessary. The Committee constituted vide Government Order No: 226-HUD of 2017
dated 09.11.2017 for scrutiny of objections and suggestions recommended that the structures requiring repairs and renovation or

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reconstruction or construction within 200 metres green buffer around Dal lake shall be governed by the master plan landuse policy. Further,
the built up within the specified green reserve around Dal and Nigeen Lakes and within the Dal shall be phased out on priority.

Open spaces and green reserves primarily passive in character have been extended into buffer zones/green belts along Dal and Nigeen lakes
for creating connected green spaces. These green reserves may include wildlife reserves, nature preserves, fishing areas, game farms, and fish
hatcheries and fishing reserves operated for the protection and propagation of biodiversity. Such areas shall also be used for public and
private parklands including unpaved hiking, bicycle and bridle trails provided that said trails have been stabilized with pervious materials.

Roads can be permitted in such zones but as far as possible be located away from natural channels. Recreational trails, storm water lines,
sanitary sewer lines, water lines and public utility transmission lines shall be allowed provided that the land disturbance is limited and shall
be, subject to approval by the competent authority. The following uses other than above mentioned shall also be permitted within these zones
for purposes of mitigating erosion and water pollution and for sustenance of livelihoods without compromising the basic objective of
ecological restoration:
a. Open air cafes
b. Privately owned Floriculture parks
c. Mini golf courses
d. Honeybee rearing centres
e. Fish hatcheries
f. Herbal gardens, Rose gardens
g. Community parks (privately owned on membership basis)
h. Plant Nurseries
The city shall partner with the Department of Floriculture for incentives and technical support to the land owners for developing such
facilities within the buffer zones and also shall frame flexible policies in this context. The State Government shall provide soft loans to the
entrepreneurs for carrying out such sustainable practices.

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9 TOURISM AND CULTURE

City tourism potential is yet to be exploited with only a single corridor being in the list of tourist products in Srinagar. Srinagar is the
museum of natural and cultural heritage possessing the vast diversity of both. It is home to lakes, rivers, wetlands, hills, forests, wildlife and
a place with pleasant weather. The architectural repertoire of Srinagar presents the rich diversity and is live theatre of the legacy of its past
rulers and citizens. There is a need to put the whole of Srinagar city on the tourist map exposing its unique tourism product diversity to the
world; however these resources need to be tapped without externalities to the environment. Every tourism related development should be
framed on the basis of three principles; environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits.

9.1 Governing Bodies


The J&K Tourism Department is a single governing body responsible for the development regulations of all tourism activities in Srinagar
city. The Master Plan proposes to use tourism for local economic development by the diversification of the tourism package with following
stakeholders.
 Tourism Department
 Wildlife Department
 Forest Department
 Floriculture Department
 Agriculture Department
 Horticulture Department
 Sericulture Department
 Srinagar Municipal Corporation
 Srinagar Development Authority
 Lakes and Waterways Development Authority
 Archaeological Survey of India
 State Archaeology Department

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9.2 Existing Tourism Assets and Package


1400000
Although Srinagar local area is a museum of natural,
built and cultural heritage, only few tourism
1200000
products are enlisted with most of them being part of
Boulevard Tourism corridor. These are—
1000000
 Dal and Nigeen Lake
 Mughal Gardens (Nishat, Shalimar, 800000
Cheshma shahi, Pari Mahal)
 Zabarwan Park 600000
 Nehru Park
 Harwan Garden 400000

 Tulip Garden
200000
 Botanical Garden
 Hazratbal Shrine
0
 SKICC (Convention Tourism) 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
 Houseboats and Shikaras
Total Tourists
 Shankracharaya (Takht-e-Sulaiman)
 Royal Spring Golf course Figure 9-1: Tourist Arrivals in Srinagar
9.2.1 Diversity Potentials and Opportunities for Tourism Expansion
 Leisure Tourism: Srinagar has historically been the city of gardens and lakes with enormous potential for leisure tourism.
 Eco-Tourism: There are numerous natural sites— wetlands, forests and wildlife park in Srinagar Local Area with huge potentials
which have not been explored. The rich biodiversity of wetlands like Hokersar, Anchar and Dachigam National park is perfect recipe
for Eco-Tourism in the city.
 Agri-Tourism: The saffron crops in the Kerawas, orchards, cherry blossom, Vineyards have huge potentials for tourist activity.
Floricultural nurseries and herbal farming recommended in the lap of Zabarwan hills will add to the potential for Agri-tourism in long
run.

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 Cultural and Heritage Tourism: Srinagar city is one of the oldest cities in Himalayas, having continuously existed for last 2500 years.
Characterised by rich culture and heritage, historic Srinagar – Shahri Kashmir—situated on the bank of River Jhelum is a museum of
vernacular architecture representing the evolution of the city. Mosques, Khankhas, temples, fort, old wooden bridges, narrow lanes
and precincts are important architectural elements of Srinagar city. SLA is also the home to plethora of artisans with the Mohallas
named on the type of handicraft. A number of handicraft artisan clusters with diverse skills are found across the city. Besides,
Burzahama, Buddhist Monastery at Harwan and Parihaspora are important Archaeological sites rich for culture tourism.

 MICE Tourism (Meetings and Convention tourism): This tourism activity is on the rise as Srinagar has the advantage of moderate
climate in comparison to the mainland India. SKICC on the bank of Dal Lake is one of the finest convention centres in India.

 Adventure Tourism: Srinagar local area is bestowed with Zabarwan Mountain Ranges, a number of Lakes and Rivers. The city has
Adventure Tourism possibilities which inter-alia includes Rock climbing, trekking, Mountain biking, camping and water sports
Using the potential index based on the existing tourist products, new diverse potential sites have been identified for expansion and
diversification of tourism activities.

9.2.2 Allocations of new Tourism Products on the basis of Potential Index


1. Eco-Tourism sites
- Hokerser Wetland
- Anchar Wetland
- Khushalsar and Gilsir
- Narkara Wetland
- Willow forest/Haran Forest, Dabsir
- Lake & Willow Forest proposed near Railway Station, Srinagar
- Dachigham Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Agri-Tourism
- Saffron crop fields, Pampore
- Orchards in the Dal Lake catchment, Gandarbal and floating gardens in Dal Lake
- Floricultural Nurseries and Herbal gardens along Dal lake
3. Cultural and Heritage Tourism

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- Core 1
- Core 2
- Nine artisan clusters across the city
4. Ancient Site
- Burzahama Archaeological Site, Burzahama
- Parihaspora Archaeological Site, Parihaspora
- Buddhist Monastery Site, Harwan
5. Adventure Tourism:
- Cycling Track along the Sharab Khul in Zabarwan hills.
- Paragliding and camping in Astan Marg, Darah
- Mountaineering in Zabarwan Hills.
- Rock climbing in Zabarwan Hills near Brein, Nishat.
- Water sports in Dal and Nigeen Lake
- Camping site at Willow forests, Dabsir at Anchar, Hokersar, Astanmarg Dhara
6. Other Tourism Activities
- Cycling and walkways along River Jehlum and around Dal and Nigeen Lake.
- Central park in Lal Chowk as a multi-functional public space
- New Gardens: Kalai Andher Hariparbat
- Saif Khan Bagh be developed as Tourist Village-cum-Urban Haat
- Mulsahai Bagh should be developed retaining its Mughal character.
- Water Park at Baba Dem
- Cherry Bagh, Nigeen
- Fossil Park at Khunmoh
- Amusement Park/Theme Park Mirgund Narbal

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9.3 Tourist Projections [2035]


The estimated tourist population calculated by the Department of Tourism, J&K for year 2035 is expected to be seven million.1 Further it may
be advisable to focus on quality of tourism rather than the quantity as it will jeopardise the fragile ecology of the Valley. It is assumed that
around 50% of the tourist population will be visiting Srinagar in peak [four] months during summer which implies an average 28,000
tourists per day by the year 2035. Assuming the average two days stay at Srinagar, the city will require about 56,000 beds per day by the year
2035. Presently, the existing bed supply of Srinagar city is 42,875 impling that 13,000 additional beds will be required to cater the tourist
demand by 2035.

Table 9-1: Tourist Projections


Supply /day Demand/day
Year Tourist Population Analysis
(Existing Bed Capacity) (Beds)
2015 9,27,815 42,875 10,309 Surplus
13,000
2035 7 Million (Projected) -- 56,000
(additional beds required)

Although a number of heritage buildings across city are required to be transformed into tourism infrastructure, there is a potential requirement of
about 100 hectare of land for green-field development in different Tourism zones for tourist Accommodation in Srinagar Metropolitan Region.

9.3.1 Bases for Allocating Tourism infrastructure


A number of parameters were adopted to earmark the suitable sites for tourism infrastructure in Srinagar Local Area [SLA]. New potential
sites for tourist accommodation and other related infrastructure have been identified on the basis of scientific analysis using GIS. The
parameters adopted inter alia include parameters—

1
The studies commissioned by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India prescribe the carrying capacity at 2.5-3.0 million putting question mark on the projections
of Tourism Department.

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 Site Suitability: it should not be in the eco-sensitive zones, flood vulnerable area, prime
agriculture land, forest land, steep slopes etc.

 Accessibility and connectivity: Site should be well connected and accessible by transport.
 Location: it should be located at an efficient location which is approachable to more than two
tourism products and should also cater in the regional context.

The brief background of the analysis is given below:

Step 1: Identification and mapping of existing and proposed tourism products (discussed
above) in Srinagar Local Area.
Step 2: Seven tourism zones (as shown in Map) are delineated on the basis of close
proximity of tourist products, for the allocation of Infrastructure.
Step 3: Zones are distributed into Grids.
Step 4: Different layers like land suitability and Accessibility are overlapped on the Grids
Step 5: By analysing even a single grid in the zones, suitable site is identified for tourist
infrastructure.

MAP 1-3 [ ]:
Map-1: Tourist Products and Zones,
Map-2: Distributing Zones into Grids
Map-3: Locating Suitable site for Tourism
Infrastructure

9.4 PROPOSALS
Mushroom growth of hotels and guest houses has not only compromised the quality of
tourist accommodation but has drastically spoiled the pristine aesthetics and urban design
of the city. Taking cognizance of this widespread phenomenon, the Master Plan proposes
to align the tourist infrastructure by creating tourist clusters and tourist circuits for tourism
infrastructure and further integrating the growth of individual hotels or guest houses with

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road hierarchy, functional nodes (Airport, Railway stations, bus terminals etc as envisaged in the Landsue Plan) and potential mixed
landuse zones.

Based on comprehensive suitability and potentials, new sites have been identified in different tourism zones for the development of tourist
accommodation in Srinagar Local Area. Besides, following office complexes/buildings are identified for cessation of their existing functions so
that they are put to some more subtle and compatible use preferably on PPP mode as provided earlier in this report for the economic revitalization
and improved capital base of local authorities:

 Forest Department Building, Sheikh Bagh, Lal chowk


 Old Secretariat Complex
 District Court Complex Lal Chowk and Veterinary Hospital Maisuma
 Old Assembly Hall, Budshah Bridge, Srinagar
 Divisional Commissioner/DC’s Office complex
 Doordharshan complex
 Official Residence of Chief Justice opposite SK Stadium
 Other Buildings to be transformed into Hotels include those located along Church Lane, Sonwar
 CAPD godowns at Shaheed Gunj
 In addition to the heritage buildings (to be listed by the Heritage Conservation and Development Authority) within the core city, the
Master Plan envisages development of a tourist Spine along both banks of River Jhelum from Fateh Kadal to Safakadal and
around the Brari Numbal lagoon to act as a gateway to the Old city.
a) Eco-Tourism
Dachigam Wildlife National Sanctuary, Hokersar wetland, Anchar wetland, Narkara wetland, Haran Forest and Pampore Lagoons and Dabsir are
potential sites for the development of eco-tourism activities. These sites would be the new eco-tourism destinations in Srinagar city, regulated
and controlled by wildlife and forest department. Carrying capacity of these sites shall be scientifically calculated to regulate the tourist
flow. These sites need to be developed using eco-friendly processes without any externalities to the environment strictly compliant to
ecotourism guidelines. In light of this, areas have been earmarked and put to least impact growth for tourist infrastructure by promoting
Rural Tourism2 on environmentally sustainable considerations in areas like Brein, Nishat, Shalimar and Harwan in the Lake area and abutting

2
Tourism growth potential can be harnessed as a strategy for Rural Development. The development of a strong platform around the concept of Rural
Tourism is definitely useful for a State like J&K where almost 70% of the population resides in villages. The stresses of urban lifestyles have led to a
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the Hokersar and Narkara wetlands. The projects under rural tourism can be taken up on stand-alone basis or in partnership with other
stakeholders by pooling land and other resources in order to meet the basic minimum requirements as laid down in the by-laws in
subsequent sections.

Flood Absorption Basin [FAB] along the N/H Bypass to be developed as Biodiversity Park or Willow Forest (commonly called Veriwaar) and an Urban
Lake near Mehjoor Nagar. Rest of the area from Kakpora to Padshahi Bagh/Mehjoor Nagar on the L/s of the river Jhelum be developed into an
Urban Farm rather than existing paddy fields. The preservation of this belt is important for the safety of Srinagar city from floods. As such, it
is strongly recommended to preserve this area from the onslaught of urban development including even earth filling. The preservation of this area on
scientific lines will not only create a new tourist destination but will also increase the water holding capacity of the basin during floods. The
existing TRC at Nowgam which normally should not have come up because of the vulnerability of the area is retained for provision of tourist
accommodation.

Ancient sites: Burzhama Archaeological Site, Ancient Buddhist Monastery Harwan and Parihaspora Archaeological Site (Kan-i-Shaher) are important
tourist destinations presently unexploited. Burzhama, Buddhist Monastry and Parihaspora archaeological sites are yet to be exposed to the
tourists. Their location is favourable in terms of tourism activities. Parihaspora is located on the table land surrounded by the vast green
fields on one side and orchards on the other. Burzhama and Buddhist Monastery are favourably located in the lap of Zabarwan hills
overlooking Dal Lake. These sites need to be preserved by adopting various regulatory and restrictive measures suggested in subsequent
section. The Master Plan also provides for a Tourist Village-cum-Urban Hatt at Shadad Bagh, Habbak for the promotion of ethnic and
culture tourism. The Tourist village-cum-Urban Haat shall truly be representative of ethnic architecture and rural ethos in terms of tangible
and intangible components. The concept and design of the project shall be approved by Town Planning Organisation Kashmir. It has to be
an integrated single project developed on partnership basis implemented through a Town Planning Scheme. The objective is to permit low
impact development in the area which is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, repository of heritage and representative of
rural ethos and culture.

"counter-urbanization" syndrome. This has led to growing interest in the rural areas. Rural Tourism is one of the few activities which can provide a
solution to these problems. Besides, there are other factors which are shifting the trend towards rural tourism like increasing levels of awareness,
growing interest in heritage and culture and improved accessibility, and environmental consciousness.
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9.5 Boulevards/Cycle Tracks/ and Walkways


Recognising the rampant encroachment along the western side of Dal Lake from Dalgate to Saida Kadal and Nigeen Lake in the absence of
proper physical demarcation, the master plan envisages construction of a 30 meter wide Boulevard from Dalgate to Saidakadal having
provision for NMT in terms of walkways and cycle tracks as integral part of road cross section. From Kathidarwaza to Nigeen, a 15 metre
wide Foreshore Road is proposed along the Nigeen Lake as shown in the proposed Landuse Plan-2035. The section of the proposed road
shall have 7.5 metre wide carriageway and the remaining 7.5 metre shall be earmarked for cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways. The
construction of western Foreshore from Dalgate to Saidakadal and Nigeen Foreshore as stated above on one hand will open up this entire
area for tourism related activities and the other hand will act as a physical deterrent for illegal encroachment and pollution to these precious
water bodies in these directions. In addition, the houseboats from Dal and Nigeen lakes are proposed to be relocated and realigned along
the proposed tourist corridors as envisaged in the plan. The Leper Colony is proposed to be relocated to alternative site as proposed in this
master plan and the same area be used for the development of multiple tourist activity like MICE. Development of organised cycle tracks
and walkways along these and other water bodies including Jhelum, Dachigam Nallah, Sharab Khul, Khushalsar, Gilsar, Anchar will increase
citizen awareness towards their cleansing and conservation. Vast lands along the Boulevard from Nehru Park to Nishat and onwards to
Naseem Bagh along the NFR which constitute part of the come within the restricted limits of buffers/green belts could be developed as
floriculture nurseries, honeybee farms or herbal gardens using organic farming. In this connection, Floriculture Department should
incentivise and also provide technical support to the land owners. The Department should frame flexible policy in this context with the
possibilities of open air cafes along the stretch.

a) Adventure Tourism:
 Rock climbing in the Zabarwan hills (near Brien, Nishat): Hard rock vertical clips of Zabarwan hills are suited for the rock climbing
bringing the high end tourism activity within the city.
 Cycling along the along Sharab Khul with the development of cycle track from Dalgate to Harwan will give impetus to the tourism in the
city. Exposing the tourists to cycling at the lofty heights in the backdrop of mountain and nature will be boon to the tourism and
economic development of Srinagar.
 Paragliding in Astan Marg, Darah and camping: This unique activity is going to add to the diversity of Srinagar tourism attracting more
tourists. Accordingly a Paragliding Park for multiple activities with provision for tourist infrastructure needs to be developed on the left
bank of Telbal Nallah in Chandpore as low impact development.

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 Develop camping site at Willow forests near Dabsir, Hokersar, Astanmarg, Dhara and along Dachigam Nallah will add to the diversity of
tourism product.
 Water sports in Dal and Nigeen Lake

b) Kalai Hariparbat should be developed as a Tourist product


The Kalai of Nagar Nagar, Kathi Darwaza, Sangeen Darwaza with Hariparbat Fort, Mullah Akhun Shah Mosque, Badamwari, remains of Mughal
palaces, Nigeen front, Makhdoom shahib, Gurwara Chatti Padshahi and historic temple is an agglomeration of diverse tourism products and a
great recipe for tourism development. Accordingly, a Craft Centre and a Museum are proposed in the Badamwari area by relocating Central
Jail and Mental Hospital.

c) Central Park in Lal Chowk: Central park should be developed in the Historic Lal Chowk as a multi-functional public space.
CBD especially the area from Dal Gate to Lal Chowk has plethora of green spaces disparate and not properly planned. All these spaces
include the Polo Ground, Emporium Garden, TRC Park and ground, Golf Course, Chinar Bagh, Sher-i-Kashmir Park will need to be
integrated into central park providing multi-faceted experiences to the people. Its entry should be free and it should be without any fencing.
A well experienced team of local Landscape Architects and Urban Planners should be engaged to prepare master plan of the central park.
The parks shall be connected by eco-bridges without affecting the aesthetics of the area.

d) Heritage Walk and Artisan clusters exploration


e) Development of Jhelum river front with the provisions of craft bazaars and the improvement of Ghats as public spaces
 Babadem lagoon to be developed as an urban lake and should act as Gateway to historical Shahri-Kashmir restoring and revitalizing
the inlet channel making it accessible by water transport through Dal Lake.
 Malshahi Bagh on the bank of Anchar Wetland at Ganderbal is also proposed to be declared as ‘Tourist Product’ and has been identified as
recreation of pristine Mughal Garden. It has only the Mughal layer and provides the best views of Anchar Lake and its adjoining
wetlands.
 Tulmul to be developed as a ‘Pilgrim Village’ with facilities for pilgrims, locals and leisure tourists including accommodation etc.
A state-of-the-art Tourism and Culture University is proposed to be developed at Silk Factory Rambagh with spotlight on specialisations like
tourism, local craft, culture and heritage. The University can pool its human resources from Hotel Management Institute, Raj Bagh and Craft
Development Institute, Zadibal.

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10 NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

―Srinagar survives today as one of the world’s most complete and intact cities of pre-modern vernacular and timber architecture‖.

- Randolph Lang.
World Monuments Watch
The city of Srinagar praised for its beauty has rich resources both natural and cultural (tangible and intangible). Like most of the medieval
settlements along river banks, the evolution and expansion of Srinagar was centred on the meandering course of river Jhelum. The river
served not only as a principal spine of transportation but also as the centre of social and cultural life of the inhabitants. The daily life of the
citizens revolved around the river and the numerous water channels linked to it. The labyrinthine streets and alleys are similar to host of
medieval cities scattered around the world. Over the course of history, around the 19th century, the city got organized into
Mohallas/neighbourhoods based on occupations. Similarly clan or family based Mohallas also grew in the core area. As more and more
members of the family became associated with traditional crafts and skills, Mohallas developed as a close-knit community. Historic
environment is important to society as a whole or a community within it. These areas merit recognition and conditions for enhancement
while ensuring protection of their inherent values. The aim of this section is to establish direction for the protection of heritage resources in
historic areas by legislation, conservation and further enhancement through compatible development.

The Master Plan provides information on historic buildings, gardens and also buildings and sites of cultural and religious significance, the
current initiatives, of both government and non-government bodies to protect, conserve and integrate them into the urban environment and
further ways of enabling the need through statutory framework of planning and guidance. It is well recognised that conservation of heritage
buildings and sites, and provision of improved infrastructure in historic areas promote tourism development which in turn leads to
enhancement of livelihood opportunities for local communities, and hence economic development. A fundamental step towards heritage
conservation and improvement of historic areas requires mapping of heritage—buildings, open spaces, mapping of use of
public/community spaces (such as ghats along the rivers, gardens) and also identification of local artisans and traditional markets etc.

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Heritage protection and conservation at the national level is


undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India and at the
state level by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and
Museums, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. There are 20
nationally protected monuments/ buildings of historic and
architectural significance falling in the local planning area,
among which 13 are located in Srinagar. Similarly, the
Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kashmir
has listed 10 monuments in the local planning area with 09 of
them located in Srinagar district only. Besides, 09 sites stand
notified as Heritage Sites under the provisions of Jammu and
Kashmir Heritage (Conservation and Preservation) Act 20101.

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and


Remains Act (Amendment and Validation of 2010) stipulates need for development guidelines in a 300 metre buffer around ASI protected
monuments and the state act known as Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Amendment Act, Samvat 2010 specifies a 100
metre buffer2 area around state protected monuments.

Building and sites are recognised as of significance based on the following values:
 Historical: connected with past events, personalities or historical narrative
 Archaeological
 Architectural
 Aesthetic : beauty, harmony Cultural / Social : association, a sense of identity
 Spiritual : understanding, enlightenment
 Traditional : uniqueness

1
A list of over 850 buildings of heritage significance in Srinagar has been prepared by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
2
Section 10 B Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Amendment Act 2010

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Map 10-1:
Important
Heritage
Sites and
Heritage
Zones

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Map 10-2:
National and
State
Protected
Monuments
and Heritage
Sites

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10.1 Vernacular/Traditional Heritage of Srinagar


Architecture of Srinagar is a combination of stone, wood and brick. It is the architecture of kings, governors and of city dwellers spanning
over fifteen centuries. Stylistically, it has Chinese, Greek, Central Asian, Persian and European influences. Srinagar is not only significant for
its historical monuments and precincts, but also for its rich and diverse mix of tangible and intangible heritage resources: built and natural
heritage, communities of traditional craftsmen and ordinary people with their beliefs, practices and rituals. Heritage buildings and sites are of varied
scale and range from modest residential houses to religious structures of monumental scale, structures along the river such as the ghats built
of stone to timber bridges.

Over the course of history, the city got organized into Mohallas based on occupations and clan. By 19th century, the city had Mohallas like
Qalamdanpora, Sheeshgari Mohalla, Bandukkhar Mohalla, Bhand Mohalla, Bhan Mohalla, Razdan Kucha, Mir Mohalla etc. Ziarats, temples and
shrines also became the focal points around which large habitations were established, however the city is fast losing this character of
Mohallas.

Buildings are graded by INTACH based upon scale, associational value, architectural and historical significance etc. Several sites exhibit an
inherent relationship between nature and culture, response of human to the scenic natural setting, for instance, the forts and palaces and the
Mughal gardens. Cultural expressions are seen in organic forms such as the floating gardens within Dal Lake. From the perspective of
architectural style that exhibits a certain knowledge system in use of materials, techniques, structural systems and aesthetic, the buildings
can be broadly classified into three distinct styles Monuments, Colonial and Vernacular.

Multi-tiered recognition of heritage buildings and sites:

As mentioned above, heritage buildings can be categorized as under:


a. Monuments that are notified under ASI or those which the State Government under the Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment)
Act, 2010.
b. Heritage sites notified under the Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act , 2010
c. Monuments/ religious buildings that are under the management of different religious Trusts such as Waqf Board, Gurudwaras, temple
trust etc.;
d. INTACH, J&K Chapter‘s listing of heritage monuments ; and
e. Mughal Gardens in the tentative list of of UNESCO World heritage sites
f. Floating Gardens of Dal Lake

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10.2 Heritage Zones [Core I & Core II]


The listing and mapping of the buildings and precincts is the first step for structured conservation approach which can substantially
contribute towards other important spatial planning goals, tapping its potentials through leisure, tourism and economic development.
Listing of the heritage buildings was undertaken by INTACH J&K Chapter in 1989. A survey of listed buildings and other heritage was
undertaken by Town Planning Organization during the preparation of the Master Plan in 2015. About 1000 buildings and historically
important sites have been mapped with their geographical coordinates and other attributes. This work requires to be further expanded from
the standpoint of conservation of heritage of city. The listed buildings, precincts and places of historic interest are recommended to be
immediately notified under Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act 2010 and the rules framed thereunder.
Guidelines for the conservation and development would be prepared and notified by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Effort would be
made to ensure consistency between the provisions in guidelines in the ‗special areas‘ and for listed buildings and their settings. The Master
Plan envisions restoring the city‘s unique historic character and for this purpose Core I and Core II have been delineated in accordance to
the heritage zone identified in 1989 (Identification of the Architectural Heritage Zone in Srinagar City by Romi Khosla). These include the unique
built heritage on both the banks of river Jhelum- Heritage Corridor around the 14th century Jamia Masjid. On the basis of the historic layers
of the city, the master plan has delineated the core city into two major zones:

Core I: This zone has developed mainly during the period of Sultans and also has footprint of the buildings of earlier historic period of
Parvarasen II. This is mainly on both sides of the River Jhelum extending upto Nowhatta in the east and upto Sunri Khul in the west containing
the most important historic built heritage of the city, and as such needs to be preserved on top priority.

Core II: This part of the core city has mostly developed during Mughal period and Pathan and Dogra periods. The walled city—Nagar
Nagar (Qilla and Kalai) — of the Mughal era and the fort are central part of core II.
Regulations to control or mediate development within a Heritage Zone, including new construction, demolition or modification to existing
buildings around historic structures or within historic precincts are recommended to be formulated and incorporated within the ―Special
Area Plans‖ at zonal level and supplemented by a different set of building byelaws.

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Map 10-3:
Walled City,
Kalai Andhar
Srinagar and
Core City Zones

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Therefore, it becomes highly essential to identify the vast array of built heritage – both vernacular as well as timber based monumental
architecture. Srinagar despite having a documented history of many centuries has seen extensive vandalism of its diverse cultural landscape
by both natural as well as manmade factors.

The cultural heritage of Srinagar is spread across the entire city. From the Mughal gardens along the northern edge of the town, the down
town areas along the south western and western edge of the Dal lake, to the city forest and floating gardens the heritage (and much more),
the heritage responsive development strategies must be responsive to the varied character and their needs. Protection must be accorded to
the assets through legal tools for protection and planned development. Heritage sensitive building and development guidelines require to be
provided on one hand and on the other management structures for continued protection and sustained maintenance are also required. An
economic model which provides enhanced livelihood opportunities‘ linked with local skills is necessary. The Master plan recommends that
planning for cultural heritage management and development of cultural heritage tourism in the city must be addressed in the Zonal Plans.

10.3 Existing Planning and Regulating Mechanism


Guidelines for planning and development around monuments and heritage sites are required to follow the legal regulatory framework as
stipulated in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (Amendment and Validation 2010), Jammu and Kashmir
Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment Act) 2010 and Jammu & Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act, 2010.

Buffer Zones – Prohibited and Regulated Areas


 National Protected Monuments/Sites: As mentioned above buffer zones of 300 metres have been provided around ASI protected
monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act 2010. This
comprises 100 metre prohibited area and 200 metre regulated area3 subject to change from time to time as Governmnet under law
may prescribe.

3 AMASR Act 2010. Section 20A and 20B

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Map 10-4:
Buffers
around
National and
State
Protected
Monuments
and Heritage
Sites

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 State Protected Monuments/Sites: The monuments and structures protected by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums
are provided with 100 metre buffer zone as prohibited and regulated area4 for regulating development in the surrounding areas
stipulated by the Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment) Act, 20105 subject to change from time to time as Governmnet
under lay may prescribe.
It is broadly understood that no new construction is permitted within the 100 metre buffer (prohibited area) of the protected monuments
and development in the next 200 metre (i.e.; regulated area beyond 100 metre prohibited area) requires to be based on guidelines prepared by the
Competent Authority (Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums) and approved by the National Monuments Authority. As per the
AMASR Act 2010, INTACH can be asked to prepare the guidelines by the Competent Authority. Also as per the communique received from
GoI, the State Government can nominate a nodal agency like Town Planning Department for the preparation of heritage by-laws for
protected buildings and sites.

[The competent authority is required to prepare the guidelines for building and development activities in the buffer zones of both ASI and state
protected monuments and obtain approval from the National Monuments Authority (for ASI protected monuments)].

The Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act 2010 provides for conservation and preservation of Heritage both
tangible and intangible, including buildings, structures, monuments, precinct, areas/sites, artefacts, sculptures, paintings, handicrafts,
manuscripts etc. and music, dance, drama, performing arts, poetry, living traditions like crafts and cuisine, traditional knowledge systems,
folklores, spiritual traditions ; respectively of historic or cultural or religious or aesthetic or architectural or environmental significance and
for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The sites notified under JKHCPA 2010 are referred as Protected Sites/Heritage Sites.
The acts provides for the preparation of Conservation and Preservation Plans6 for both tangible and intangible heritage vide sub-section

4 Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment Act) 2010 Section 10 B Prohibited and Regulated Areas
5The JKAMPA Act 2010 restricts new construction activities around the protected monuments as well as those which are proposed to be protected
under Section 10-B of this act. However, there is no distinction between the prohibited and regulated area of the protected monuments as
distinguished in AMASR Act 2010. The roles and responsibility of the State Archaeology is restricted to maintenance of the monuments only as per
the act. There are no clauses in the act for the conservation and repair of the monuments.
6
Under Sub-section 10(2) following matters are required to be addressed in the Heritage Conservation/Preservation Plans:
(a) Regulations for preservation, conservation and administration of heritage (objects, buildings, sites etc.)
(b) Listing and grading of heritage
(c) Prescription for development control for conservation of heritage
(d) Specific urban/rural design proposals in the case of heritage sites in order to preserve and protect the character of the area.

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10(1) and lists the matters under sub-section 10(2) such as regulations, listing and grading, development control etc. that should be part of
the plan. These plans are to be prepared by the Jammu & Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Authority constituted under the
act. The Master Plan recommends preparation of these plans for heritage sites and included in the zonal plans
10.4 Challenges for Conservation and Infrastructure Development in Areas of Heritage Significance
i. Absence of a comprehensive approach followed in identifying heritage resources.
ii. The heritage structures of high significant value are in a serious state of dilapidation due to absence of technical and financial
assistance from the Government for conservation. There are no incentives for conservation and maintaining them.
iii. Absence of Conservation, Revitalisation and Management Plans for buildings of heritage values
iv. Inadequate data and hence poor understanding of community needs in the historic areas, more specifically the down town area.
v. Poor quality of roads and inadequate sanitation in the historic areas
vi. Original owners are disposing off their properties due to increase in land value and maintenance cost of these heritage structures.
vii. Non-availability of parking space leads to on street parking of vehicles which reduces the carriage width of road and further blocks
the visibility of these heritage structures of high significance.
viii. Inadequate public open spaces which adversely impacts quality of life more specifically for children
ix. Lack of conservation and development of the water front, ghats and open spaces
x. Streetscape and street furniture are not adequate.
xi. Inadequate conservation and upgradation of the buildings of heritage significance housing community facilities such as schools,
primary health centres etc.
xii. Absence of guidelines for proper signages to control haphazard visually disturbing hoardings.
xiii. Need for community development activites for community engagement, education and outreach.
xiv. Lack of a comprehensive urban design and conservation toolkit for the authorities.

(e) Proposals for incentives such as tax exemption, transfer of development right or acquisition of property, if found necessary for the protection of heritage or heritage
sites.
(f) Proposals on a case to case basis, for any relaxation to development control regulations necessary for the protection and enhancement of the heritage values of the
heritage sites;

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10.5 Special Areas7 / Heritage Conservation Plans8


10.5.1 Mughal Gardens
The whole of Kashmir Valley was an area of leisure for the Mughal emperors more specifically Jehangir and Shah Jehan and later Dara
Shikoh. They created a large number of gardens and built several structures including forts and Sarais. Research has been undertaken by
several experts both national and international including MIT. Srinagar city can also be described as having been the laboratory of garden/
development of pleasure landscapes in the Mughal era.

Srinagar had hundreds of these gardens of Mughal era, however several have been lost due to urbanization and encroachments, further
constructions have come up in close vicinity of even the well-known ones compromising the integrity of their surroundings. The citizens
have remained ignorant of the Mughal treasure and hence indifferent to this loss. Gardens like Baghi Ali Mardan, Baghi Dilawar Khan, Dewan
Bagh and Choudary Bagh have already been lost in entirety. Gardens like Saif Khan Bagh and Mullah Shah Bagh which are almost untampered
hence a treasure to understand pristine Mughal style. Mullah Shah Bagh may be a great treasure for research and archaeology as due to its
authenticity with almost no later interventions by the users. INTACH (Kashmir Chapter) organized International Seminar on Mughal
Gardens in 2015 which was attended by international experts on Mughal gardens who opined that these gardens are precursor to the
concept of Char Bagh found in the monuments of Taj Mahal and several others.

Recognising the significance of these gardens, they have been nominated by the Jammu and Kashmir Government for inclusion on the
tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. In order to protect the integrity and authenticity of the Mughal gardens, 100 metre Buffer
Zones are recommended around Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi and Pari Mahal following their notification under the Jammu and
Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act 2010 or J&K Ancient Monuments Preservation Act Svt. 1977 (1920 A.D.) Detailed bye-
laws need to be prepared for buffer zones which shall subsequently become part of the Master Plan. In this connection, the Director,
Archives, Archaeology and Museums, SMC etc shall prepare the heritage bye-laws for these areas for which services of Town Planning
Organisation Kashmir can be requisitioned. The Master Plan proposes establishing of management structure for the conservation and
management of Mughal Gardens. The conservation and landscape development within the gardens and its setting must be guided by
national and international experts building the capacity of local experts, creating the inventory of the gardens and to prepare and undertake
conservation using the modern tools like drone technology and GPR.

7
As per Section 3(A) Jammu & Kashmir Town Planning Act 1963
8
Section 10 of Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act 2010 enables preparation, approval and sanction of Heritage Conservation and Preservation
plans

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Important Heritage Sites


i. Nishat Garden
ii. Shalimar Garden
iii. Chashma Shahi
iv. Pari Mahal

The Master Plan envisages that a comprehensive list of Mughal Gardens in Srinagar (and further in Kashmir valley) be prepared following
the example of the ‗Register of Historic Gardens and Parks‘ as part of a comprehensive Register of Historic Places (on US or any other
International pattern).

10.5.2 Floating Gardens


While the life giving water system in the valley comprises streams, springs, rivers, wetlands and lakes. The floating gardens of the Dal Lake
represent symbiotic relationship between people and the natural heritage. While the gardens are a source of livelihood for the local
community they are maintained by the community using the ever growing weeds and plant life in the water system. This practice
contributes to conservation of the water system. The vegetable produce from the gardens provides the much needed fresh food supply to
the people of Srinagar. These further are an area of immense interest to the visitors and tourists thus further enhancing the livelihood
opportunities‘ for the local communities. The mode of transport and housing along the floating garden provides a unique character for
promotion of cultural tourism in the region (the houseboats and Shikaras are closely associated with the waterways between the floating
gardens). Floating gardens are an example of extraordinary knowledge system of the local communities used for the preservation of the
lake. The floating gardens of Chinampas—Floating Gardens of Mexico are the other known floating gardens in the world. In the midst of a
network of small canals, on the edge of the residual lake of Xochimilco (the southern arm of the great drained lake of Texcoco), some
Chinampas or ‗floating‘ gardens can still be found. Parts of this half-natural, half-artificial landscape are now an 'Ecological Reserve'. The
UNESCO declared Xochimilco a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Floating gardens is the unique heritage with only a few parallels in the world. If properly managed, preservation of these floating gardens
will be help for their inscription on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. While it is critical that the floating gardens with their
attributes of value are mapped and ways and means developed for their conservation and continued sustenance it is necessary to ensure
that further growth is discourage to ensure the conservation of the lake as a water body.

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The blanket policy of relocation of the Dal dwellers adopted in the aftermath of the approval of the DPR for Conservation and Management of Dal Lake under National
Lake Conservation Plan prepared by IIT Roorkee is recommended to be re-examined by the scientific advisory committee appointed by the J & K Government to examine
the need for protection of the floating gardens while ensuring protection of the Dal lake in a sustainable manner. The proliferation of the families of Dal dwellers within
lake may not be sustainable, however a strategy for protection of an optimum number / area of floating gardens while being used for vegetables planting which
additionally provides food security for the city (providing fresh vegetables more specifically during the time of emergency) should become part of the sustainable
conservation framework for the lake. Detailed mapping of this area including extents of the floating gardens, use, household surveys of the communities inhabiting the
floating gardens is recommended to be undertaken. An in-depth understanding of the socio economic -eco system of the area (the floating gardens and houseboats) is also
recommended to inform the comprehensive cultural – natural tourism development plan for the Dal Lake area.

10.5.3 City Forests of Kohi Maran and Kohi Suleiman (Hari Parbat and Shankar Acharya)
Kohi Maran and Kohi Suleiman –the two hillocks are fundamental parts of Srinagar‘s townscape character. These are well-developed city forest
on the banks of Dal and Nigeen lakes. The hills, the city forest along with the connecting lakes and gardens have ‗outstanding universal
value‘. The Kohi Suleiman/ Shankaracharya Forest is notified as a reserved forest under section 11 of the Forest Act, 1987 and the Kohi Maran
also known as Hari Parbat is a repository of monuments which represent the syncretic tradition of region. The complex comprises the fort
with rampart walls and gates and a temple. While the fort and the rampart walls are notified monuments under State Archaeology the
temple is protected under the AMASR 2010

The buffer zone of state protected monuments of Hari Parbat comprising the walls and the gates has a prohibited area9 of 100 m where no
development activity is permitted and development around the temple is guided by the provision of the AMASR Act of 2010. Special Area
designation for this zone is recommended in the Master Plan.

Further development activities in the city would ensure that the townscape value of these hills is not compromised. Urban Design Scheme
will be prepared under the zonal plans (Srinagar Development Authority) to ensure protection.

10.5.4 The Walled City


The Walled City of Srinagar—Nagar Nagar—was built initially by Mughals during Akbar‘s reign. The fort of Hari Parbat in the current form
was built by Pathans and the fort has been conserved by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir.
Both the Fort and the Wall (Qilla and Kalai10) are structures of historic significance. However, the wall is under serious threat with large scale

9 Jammu & Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation ?(Amendment)Act 2010


10 Both the Fort and the Qalai are protected by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Jammu & Kashmir
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encroachments. The Mughal palaces were located on the Nigeen Lake near the existing Badamwari. The entire walled city along with the city
forest is of extraordinary heritage value and is recommended to be protected, conserved and managed to prevent any encroachment.
The Master Plan proposes that the Walled city be designated as a ‘Special Area’ and a Comprehensive Walled City Conservation and Development
Plan be prepared by SMC/TPO(K) in coordination with the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Government of Jammu and
Kashmir and the same shall be subsequently approved by the competent authority for its effective implementation. The squatters and shanty
spots have to be removed to enforce the provisions of state and central heritage legislation protecting the Kallai (Wall) and its historic Gates.
The affected families shall be rehabilitated under the CSS ―Housing for all‖ and other group housing projects. To minimise the impacts of
growing building activity in the area, the master plan envisages this distinct zone as a ―Walled City‖ with medium population density and
restrictions on height and bulk.

10.5.5 Other Areas


‘Special Areas’ or Heritage Zones or Eco-Sensitive Areas are recommended for the following list of monuments and heritage zones:

a) Baghs at Nigeen Lake


b) Bagh at Habak/Naseem/Hazratbal
c) Wetlands (Hokersar, Anchar, Haran Forest, and other lagoons)
d) Old Walled City Nagar Nagar and Hari Parbat
e) Chasma Shahi and Pari Mahal
f) Shankaracharya Hill
g) Floating Gardens in Dal Lake including Passageways and historic Bridges
h) Dal Lake & Char Chinars
i) Core city comprising Core-I and Core II/Jhelum Riverfront
The competent authority can further designate other areas of significance due to cultural or natural heritage values, in order to retain the
distinctive characteristics which will further enable development of tourism in the region

10.6 Cultural Heritage Policy in the Master Plan-2035


i. Identifies significant cultural heritage resource for protection and conservation
ii. Recommends planning mechanisms for integrated conservation and area development around heritage sites

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iii. Recommends financial incentive schemes to be provided by the government to enable and encourage conservation of heritage
buildings through innovative Public Private Partnership models to achieve community engagement and tools of development such
as Transfer of Development Rights
iv. Recommends technical assistance be provided for heritage owners
v. Recommends improvement and enhancement of social infrastructure and public spaces in the down town area
vi. Recommends participatory approach for planning in the historic areas
vii. Recommends improved disaster risk responsive infrastructure in the inner city (earthquake, fire and flooding)
viii. Recommends enhancement of livelihood opportunities in the historic areas more specifically related to traditional skills such as
crafts and entrepreneurship

Recognition through Monitoring - conservation ,


administrative set-up and maintenance and repair Community participation
Identification Documentation and grading
provision in the legal , (providing technical and incentivization
technical and financial tools assistance)

The policy provides a framework for the management of the city‘s cultural heritage. Heritage has the potential to be a catalyst for
regeneration of areas, in particular through leisure, tourism, enhancement of artisan clusters thus positively impacting economic
development.
One of the focus areas of this Master Plan is to promote city‘s unique cultural heritage assets essentially for the benefit of local community
and future generations to improve their quality of life, economic revitalization and to raise awareness for conservation and maintenance of
the same by engaging local stakeholders. The Master Plan inter-alia provides for establishing the mechanism of heritage conservation and
marketing and other need based facilities for artisan communities in the Mohallas traditionally known for the skills. The master plan also
provides for the mechanism dovetailing heritage with development of cultural heritage tourism and traditional arts, crafts clusters for

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improved productivity and to attract tourists leading to the rejuvenation of these areas as viable living and economic entities generating the
resources for the upkeep of the identified heritage resources of the city.

10.6.1 Objectives
It is the master plan‘s overarching aim that the historic environment of the city of Srinagar and its heritage assets should be conserved so as
to contribute to the quality of life and uniqueness they bring to the current and future generations.

Key objectives of the heritage policy:

I. Support the reinvigoration of Srinagar’s unique cultural heritage through conservation and revitalisation of its heritage buildings,
historic character of streetscape, open spaces, historic gardens and living traditions for the benefit of present and future generations.
II. Encourage capital investment in the conservation and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings for the purpose of revitalisation of the
city and appeal as a desirable place to live work and visit.
The other objectives of the Heritage policy vis-à-vis different aspects include:

1. Heritage:
 to protect the unique architectural and historical area;
 to promote conservation of identified buildings and sites and ensure protection of the historic character of heritage zones
through enforcement of prescribed guidelines, zoning by-laws, standards of maintenance and urban design guidelines;
 to conserve the heritage character, heritage value and character-defining elements of heritage sites and precincts;
 to promote excellence in architectural design and new construction that is compatible with the character of vernacular
architecture in the core area; and
 to preserve and improve the street character in the core area
2. Pattern of Development:
 to retain the identified heritage zones(demarcated in Core I, II) as a predominantly residential community; and
 to limit further subdivision to protect the original character of the core area in accordance with the Jhelum riverfront
3. Vehicle Parking and Circulation:
 to minimize on-street parking by allocating common parking areas that are identified in the Master Plan:
 to discourage vehicular traffic in narrow lanes and by-lanes
 to pedestrianize identified roads and develop road-side cafes/ bazaars by designating commercial activities

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4. Community Involvement:
 to provide residents and property owners the opportunity to create
vibrant communities
 to sustain local economies
 to encourage adaptive re-use for sustainable development
 to maximise the participation of people by means of bringing awareness
10.6.2 Organisation Structures, Capacities and Management Framework
The policy objectives for protection, conservation, development and regulation of
heritage resources in the city require ensuring appropriate and equitable balance
between conservation and sustainable development. In the current context of changing
demographics and climate, growing inequalities, diminishing resources, and growing
threats to heritage, the need has become apparent to view conservation objectives within
a broader range of economic, social and environmental values. A fundamental objective
of heritage conservation is to safeguard the significance of historic, cultural, architectural and natural heritage as an inter-generational
responsibility. Further, following the principle of sustainable development, it is important to recall that traditional sources of income in the
core city were closely linked with traditional skills related to crafts, trade and tourism. Effort needs to be made for revitalisation of the
intangible heritage.

The primary responsibility to achieve the above objectives rests with Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums as well as
Department of Housing and Urban Development and its agencies such as Srinagar Development Authority, Srinagar Municipal
Corporation, Directorate or Urban Local Bodies, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and Town Planning Organisation. Further,
protection and conservation of heritage and guiding development in the buffer zones is the mandate of several organisations. Some of the
organisations manage aspects which have direct impact on the state of conservation of heritage, other organisations manage aspects which
have indirect impact. Organisations which have direct impact include ASI and Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums,
Department of Floriculture and Religious bodies. Urban local bodies impact heritage through the legal framework which provide
development guidelines in the buffer zones.

Based on ownership and current condition, heritage can be broadly classifed into four categories determined by ownership of the
resource:

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 Government owned buildings— There is a need to demonstrate through conservation and reuse the appropriate vocabulary of materials
and techniques for government owned heritage buildings.
 Religious buildings— these are managed by Wakf Board, Gurdwaras and Temples.
 Abandoned buildings which are significant due to architectural style or/and location and can be acquired by government for conservation
and adaptive reuse.
 Privately owned and occupied buildings where conservation effort can be subsidised by government.
Several activities are necessary for appropriate conservation, development and management of cultural heritage resources. These activities
and responsibilities are shared by multiple agencies. In order to ensure appropriate conservation and management of the resource it is
critical to ensure that all tasks that undertaken by the trained professionals in the sector. A systematic integrated conservation and
management process requires a well-coordinated structure based on an assessment of ownership, legal framework provided by law or
government orders, human resource / capacity of each of the organisations, available financial resources , further informed by the desired
outcome or vision.

10.6.3 Conservation Strategy


Tasks necessary to be undertaken to achieve conservation, revitalisation and appropriate management of heritage are as follows:
S. No. TASKS Agency/Department
Comprehensive listing / mapping and notification of the heritage buildings, sites and
1 precincts under the Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act JKHCP Authority
2010
Identification of buildings of heritage significance in Srinagar owned by the several
2 JKHCP Authority
government departments
Socio Economic (household surveys) in down town area ( to determine needs for
3 JKHCP /Srinagar Municipal Corporation
conservation and area level up- gradation )
4 Surveys of artisans and identification of needs for common facilities Craft Development Institute
JKHCP /Srinagar Municipal Corporation /
5 Cultural mapping of heritage areas
INTACH
Mapping and house hold surveys of the floating gardens and detailed socio economic
6 SMC and LWDA
cultural and scientific studies of the area
Identify the nodal agency where the data is housed for research, integrated planning, Directorate of Archives Archaeology and
7
project development and periodic updating of the database Museums , JKHCP and SMC
8 Preparation of a Cultural Heritage Policy for Built heritage, Documentary heritage and Directorate of Archives Archaeology and

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Intangible heritage Museums , JKHCP ,


Preparation of Conservation Management Plans (and implementation) for notified
9 ASI/ INTACH
heritage structures (state protected and ASI protected monuments)
Srinagar Municipal Corporation + Directorate of
10 Conservation and Adaptive reuse of government owned heritage buildings/sites;
Archives Archaeology and Museums
Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and
Building and development guidelines for buffer zones of ASI and state protected
11 Museums / SMC and obtain approvals from the
monuments and notification
National Monuments Authority
Preparation of guidelines for development for heritage buildings more specifically for the
12 Srinagar Municipal Corporation
Core I and II (including financial credit programs etc.)
Preparation of Conservation and Upgradation Plan for Jhelum‘s waterfront as lively SMC and Lake and Waterways Development
13
public destination Authority
Integrated conservation, revitalisation and development planning for heritage precincts
JKHCPA + DAAM + SDA/SMC + Department of
14 ensuring improved conditions for the local community and promote cultural heritage
Tourism
tourism as part of the ‗Special Area Plans‘
Preparation of Vision documents by each of the department listed (for aspects which have
15 a direct or indirect impact on the heritage resources) to inform zonal plans and ‗special All Departments / SDA
area plans‘
Preparation of Integrated plans for Crafts Development for Srinagar and identification of
16 Craft Development Institute
projects
Preparation of Integrated plan for Tourism Development for Srinagar and identification
17 Department of Tourism & Culture
of projects
Innovative policy and guidelines to convert residential buildings in the down town into
18 Department of Tourism
bed and breakfast/ home-stay and other supporting activities
19 Implement programs for education , outreach and community involvement; DAAM/ SMC/ Department of Tourism
20 Regulations for signages and hoardings Srinagar Municipal Corporation
Srinagar Development Authority in consultation
21 Urban design guidelines for heritage precincts
with JKHCPA +ASI
Preparation of toolkits for landscape, streetscape development (including street furniture,
22 lighting design in public spaces) and design of public amenities in historic sites, precincts Srinagar Development Authority
and areas.
Preparation of the Nomination Dossier for inclusion of the Mughal gardens in the
23 ASI
UNESCO World Heritage List
24 Multi modal mobility planning and Non-Motorised Transport system is historic areas SDA/ TPOK

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while providing parking facilities to enable this


Srinagar Municipal Corporation + Srinagar
25 Provision of Pedestrian areas, walkways and greenways in historic areas;
Development Authority
Inclusion of Srinagar City in the UNESCO list of ‗Creative Cities Network‘ ( in the craft
26 SMC
sector)
Conservation and Revitalisation of heritage buildings under Public Private Partnership;
27 SMC + JKHCPA
and
Heritage Impact Assessment studies for large scale public projects in areas of cultural or
28 INTACH/ DAAM/ SDA
natural heritage significance and including in the public project development framework

In order to achieve a streamlined process for implementation of the recommendations in the Master Plan, the current systems in operation
in the city have been closely examined from the standpoint of legal mandate, organisation structures, available capacities of human
resource, allocated financial resources for activities related to heritage management. Recommendations have been made to address the gaps
in the section on Regulations for Building Controls, Development Code and Plan Review and Monitoring.

10.7 Heritage and Economic Development


In the context of Srinagar Master Plan, it is the character of the area in addition to the individual buildings that is sought to be preserved,
enhanced and revitalized. A major constituent will be the preservation of social fabric as planning for such sites cannot be done without
keeping the socio-economic profile of the area in mind. The traditional source of income in the core city was closely linked with crafts, trade
and tourism. However, of late there has been a breakdown of the systems which are required to be revitalized as reintegrated in the master
plan. Pursuing sustainable development involves seeking positive improvements in the identified heritage areas. Heritage is not just
something to preserve for future generations, but is in fact an asset that can be leveraged to bring real economic benefits to the community.
10.7.1 Incentivising Heritage Conservation
Heritage places contribute to the quality of life and cultural identities of communities.
o Generating economic value
o Contribution to local and regional income
o Raising the image of the city as:
 A place to visit
 A place to live in
 A place to invest
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In cases of buildings located in non-commercial use zones included in the Heritage Conservation List [to be authenticated by the SMC or
Heritage Conservation Committee], if the owner/owners agree to maintain the listed heritage building as it is in the existing state and to
preserve its heritage state with due repairs, and the owner/owners/lessees give a written undertaking to that effect, the
owner/owners/lessees may be allowed within permissible use zone to convert part or whole thereof of the non-commercial area within
such a heritage building to commercial/office use/hotel. Provided that if the heritage building is not maintained suitably or if the heritage
value of the building is spoiled in any manner, the commercial/office/hotel use shall be disallowed. The listed heritage building owners shall
be issued TDR certificates by Town Planning Organisation Kashmir based on additional FAR which shall be Purchasable for the owner(s).
Accordingly, a provision for 15% additional FAR over and above the permissible FAR is reserved to be granted as TDR to the owners in lieu of
restoration of such buildings. The TDRs can be used by the owners themselves or sold to other beneficiary in CBD/City Centre, Mixed Use Zone or
along roads having RoW not less than 20 metre for areas permissible under mixed use regulations.

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11 URBAN MOBILITY

Srinagar with annual population growth rate of 2.0 per cent has registered a phenomenal increase in vehicular population during the last
decade. Its vehicular traffic is increasing rapidly at more than 7.0 per cent per annum1. Due to this rapid growth of vehicles vis-à-vis
marginal increase in road infrastructure, the problems related to transportation have grown manifold. Traffic congestion is already severe
on many city roads and the gridlock plaguing Srinagar has reached a tipping point, with the region spending millions of man hours in
traffic congestion each year. Vehicular pollution is assuming critical dimensions and parking problems are aggravating. These problems
among others will grow in size and scale unless action is taken now. Two comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plans have been
prepared for Srinagar city which include the Srinagar Urban Transport Project 1992 and Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), 2012 (by Rail
India Technical and Economic Services) but not a single step has been taken so far. As per CMP, about 36% of urban road space is consumed
by private modes (Cars/TWVs) which share about 30% of the total motorised passenger trips. On the other hand, public transport using
44% of road space caters to 71% of the total motorised passenger trips in main city areas; however, in the periphery at outer cordon stations,
public transport consumes only 13% of the road space while sharing about 70% of the motorised passenger trips. Interestingly, buses and
mini-buses occupying just 8% of the existing road space cater to 32% of the total motorised passenger trips.

Existing transport network is characterised by inefficient pattern, inadequate widths, missing links, bottlenecks, flawed design of
intersection curves etc. The total existing road network of Srinagar Local Area (SPA) is 03 percent with average link length of 0.50 Km. As
per CMP, 60 percent road length measures less than 10 metre in RoW (6.5 metre c/w) while only 15 percent road length is having RoW
more than 20 metre. The four-lane to six-lane c/w configuration is only for almost 12% length while about 90% of the existing road network
has undivided carriageway without roadside footpaths2 even though pedestrians constitute a major proportion of road users. The Master
Plan proposes to create streets for everyone, and reform the practice of designing streets solely for use by automobiles. They are designed
and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

Srinagar has geographical disadvantages with physical thresholds like mountains, wetlands, and water bodies which turn out to be the
major constraints in the development of an organised road network. The city road network is cramped because of missing links, incomplete
rings, inefficient radials, bottlenecks, etc. Some of the radials like Rangreth Road, Airport Road are virtually dead ends as they are not
connected to any major arterials. Also the location of strategic installations across city has been another key impediment in the development

1
As per the traffic Police Department, around 80,000 vehicles enter the Srinagar city on daily basis.
2
Just 10% road length is having side-walks in Srinagar city though it has more than 22% walk trips.

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of efficient transport network. Srinagar has historically developed with a radial road network spanning in north, south and west directions.
All the radials are witnessing extreme traffic flows much beyond their capacities, hence poor level of service. The city road network needs a
complete relook so that an efficient and sustainable transport network is developed to cater to the future demand.
As per the travel demand model based on ‗Business As Usual‘ (BAU) scenario given in the CMP, daily intra-city travel demand is projected
to 3.6 million person trips by 20313. As per the model, overall modal share for public transport by 2031 is estimated to be 61% down from 80
percent recorded in 2011. Therefore, major challenge will be to sustain the modal choice in the years to come. The Master Plan envisages a
sustainable and inclusive transportation system for Srinagar city and underlines the need for keeping the share of non-personal transport at
65– 75% to achieve the goal of National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006. If Srinagar city and its suburb are allowed to grow without
any intervention towards sustainable transport system, the city may witness systemic breakdown. The guiding principle of this Master Plan,
accordingly is to place ‗People before Cars’ for their mobility on city roads. For this, walking and bicycling have to be made safer and public
transport more proficient and attractive.

The traffic characteristics of Srinagar reveal that there are huge enablers existing in our city which need to be properly exploited to develop
a safe, reliable and comfortable public transport system. The primary requirement would be the identification of potential public transport
corridors supported by a High Capacity Transport System (HCTS). The policy has been supported by strategic densification linked to the
road hierarchy as one of the basic concepts adopted in the landuse model of Srinagar. Accordingly, a mass transport network has been
identified to meet the future travel demand of the city.
11.1 Urban Transport Strategy
Objectives:

 Improve, enhance and provide high quality public transport - Having 80:20 modal share in favor of public transport, which
exclude the walk trips, by 2035.
 Improve Air Quality – reduction in vehicular emissions to meet the National ambient air quality standard.
 Promote accessibility, not just mobility—Accessibility ensures that all users of the transportation system have equal access to safe
and quality facilities, regardless of transportation mode. Motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders should all be able to use
the transportation system in a safe, efficient, and uniform way.
 Equitable allocation of space – Bringing about more equitable allocation of space with people, rather than vehicles, as its main

3
By 2035, the city will have around 5.0 million trips per day

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focus.
 Promoting Walkability and Inclusiveness—nearly everyone walks and does so every day. Streets need to be more accessible and
safer for pedestrians. Streets affect the way people live, work, and play. Streets should be viewed as part of a dynamic, integrated
land use and transportation system. Street treatments (paving type, sidewalks, lighting, street trees, signs, and furniture such as
benches and trash cans) should address the needs of regular users and the surrounding area.

 Have good connections throughout—Connected, continuous street systems make activities of daily living easier to accomplish.
Upgradation of existing Skewed/Irregular Road Network to Ring Radial system will help in enhancement of Multi-Dispersal Trip
distribution system.

 Support all travel modes—Promoting multi-modal system—


one that provides a range of travel choices. This will require
planning and providing facilities for automobile, bus transit,
high-capacity transit, pedestrian, and bicycle travel, etc.

 Support transportation and landuse improvements—Majority


of the city supports Mixed Use development especially the core
city. Mixed-use areas are often favourite places with lots of
activity easily accessible by different transportation modes.
Streets with an attractive and interesting street atmosphere,
where land uses and the transportation system are mutually supportive, create a vital and interesting focus for the community. In
addition, by offering a mix of housing, employment and services near each other, the areas benefit the transportation system by
reducing the total number of trips and trip length, and by keeping them off the major highway system.
The following strategy will be followed in order to meet these objectives:
i. Preparation and operationalization of an integrated and mutually complementary multi-modal transportation and traffic plan
comprising the Road, Rail and Metro-rail network, so that work centres/ residences are within a walkable distance.
ii. Providing safe facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, differently abled persons, children, women and the elderly and Intelligent
Transport System (ITS) enabled public transport, taxis and three-wheeled scooter rickshaws (TSR) to arrive at truly integrated
multimodal system.
iii. Optimal use and utilisation of the existing road network and full development of ROW by removing all impediments and

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equitable distribution of road space as per National Urban Transport Policy. All arterial roads will be restructured to allow for
smooth and safe flow of buses non-motorised transport and pedestrians to minimize pollution and congestion.
iv. Restructuring of the finer street networks and creating alternate access ways and reducing congestion on the existing roads to
the extent possible. New Urban Link Roads should also be identified as additional or alternative links, wherever possible, to
reduce congestion.
v. Planning of new road network in such a manner as to prevent possibilities of future congestion by modifying road sections to
promote use of public transport, non-motorized transport and walking, which would reduce use of private transport modes.
vi. Making all roads usable and safe at all times for women, children, elderly and the differentially abled.
vii. Planning for High capacity bus system, BRTS for city travel and Metro for high-speed inter-city travel.

viii. Developing an integrated relationship between the bus, rail and metro-system to provide for seamless multi-modal transport,
through provision of additional stations, park and ride facilities, introduction of single multi-modal ticketing, etc. The choice of
technology for the multimodal public transport system (Bus Rapid Transit System, Metro, Mono-Rail, Light Rail etc.) be based
on comparative cost-effectiveness analysis studies to ensure rapid development of public transport and to ensure judicious use
of public funds. Public transport modes be made more reliable and affordable to the end-user to induce shift from private
modes.

ix. Development of a comprehensive parking policy by the concerned local bodies in line with the broad aims of the Plan for
transportation mentioned earlier, including measures for linking new vehicle registration with owner parking facilities.

x. Establishment of a quick and efficient transport network between Srinagar city and Srinagar Metropolitan Region.
xi. Provision of directional Goods and Passenger Terminals with adequate infrastructure.
xii. Review of the licensing policy and systems, and effective arrangements for training of drivers / transport operators.

11.2 Transportation Network Plan


In the Master Plan, a three tier transport network is proposed to restructure the existing radial pattern into a sustainable Ring-Radial
network increasing the per capita availability of road space. The road network and its hierarchy given below are provided taking into
consideration the following factors:

 Existing transit systems (road, rail, airport etc)


 Relief and Topography of the area

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 Vision of the master plan


 Location of important activity nodes like terminals, hospitals, educational institutions, administrative offices and business centres.

As stated above, the Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) is planned on a Ring-Radial pattern with a well-defined functional hierarchy. The
road network is designed to address regional, intra-city and local traffic demands.

10.3 Synergy between Transport and Land Use

The concept of the Master Plan is based on a poly-nodal, polycentric, distribution of work centers, largely based on road transport nodes. A
major fall-out of this is the distortion between infrastructure, transport and land use. To achieve spatial balance, development should take
place according to new corridors of mass movement. This has implications in terms of land use planning along the Transit System. This
would not only help to solve, to some extent, the enormous problems of mass transportation, but would also generate a dynamic potential
for growth and employment. In this context, the High capacity Bus corridors up to 200m depth on either side from center line of Road
would require selective re-development and re-densification / intensification of existing land uses based on site conditions. The concept of
Transit Oriented Zone (TOZ) needs to be adopted such that maximum number of people can live, work or find means of recreation within
walking/ cycling distance of the High capacity bus corridors/ stations.

11.2.1 Hierarchy of Road Network


a. Arterial Streets
For the purposes of this master plan, the arterial roads are the regional corridors or outer bypass meant for access controlled high speed
traffic. These roads are recommended to have a RoW of more than 60 metres.

b. Sub-Arterial Streets
All major city roads and other district roads creating important communication lines for inter-city and intra-city traffic are classified as Sub-
Arterials Roads. These roads will have the RoW of 30 - 60 metres.

c. Collector Streets
All urban streets providing transition to sub-arterials within the master plan limits are defined as the Collector Streets. These roads include
the roads with recommended RoW of 20 metres but less than 30 metres. These roads will have comparatively lesser speeds and will have the
maximum intensity of city traffic.

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d. Local Streets
These are the non-high capacity bus corridors generally meant for paratransit traffic. These roads include the streets with recommended
RoW of 10 metres but less than 20 metres are designated as Sub-Arterials.

e. Access Streets
All such roads directly abutting properties with recommended RoW less than 10 metres are designated as Access Streets.

As per this classification, the city will have at least 50% of its road length under two-lane dual carriageway configuration with footpaths
mandated for the pedestrians.

As a matter of general policy, it is enunciated that for all categories of roads, the full cross section should be developed in future and no
encroachments shall be permitted on the existing road network. Further, the development of roads should start from the extremes ends of
the designated ROW.

The following definitions for various components of Roads may be considered for planning and enforcement purposes:
i) ‗Right of Way‘ (RoW) is a reserved space for movement of all modes of traffic which includes pedestrian, cycles, cycle rickshaws, buses,
cars, scooter, taxis, auto-rickshaws, etc. RoWs are shown on the zonal plan and master plan of Delhi with designated widths. Space for
services, underground/ over-ground utilities, public conveniences and amenities, vendors drinking water kiosks, etc., must be planned
and reserved within the row, without encroaching on walking space or motor vehicle movement space, as per street design regulations.

Table 11-1: Guidelines for Road Hierarchy


Type Arterial Roads Sub-Arterial Roads Collector Roads Local Streets Access Streets
Right of Way > 60 M 30 – 60 M >20 - 30 M >10 - 20 M 5.5 - 10 M
Suggested speed 40-50 km/hr 30-40 km/hr 20-30 km/hr 10-20 km/hr >10-20 km/hr
limit
Speed control Enforcement &Traffic Enforcement and Traffic Enforcement and Traffic Enforcement and Enforcement and
Calming required Calming required. calming required. Traffic calming Traffic Calming
required required.
Busways Segregated busways Segregated busways (3.5M) Demarcated bus-lanes No segregated bus No segregated bus
(3.5M) per direction per direction (3.3M) per direction. lanes required. lanes required.

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Motorized lanes 2 to 3 motorized lanes 2 to 3 motorized lanes 1 to 2 motorized lanes No minimum lane No minimum lane
(min. 3.3 m wide each) (starting from footpath edge (min. 3m wide each) per width specification. width specification.
per direction, towards median: 2.75m, 3m, direction, excluding bus
excluding busways 3.3m, 3.5m, 3.5m) per lanes
direction, excluding busways
Cycle/ NMV tracks Segregated cycle tracks Segregated cycle tracks Segregated cycle tracks Cycle lanes (min 2m.) No special
required; min. 2.5 m required; min. 2.5 m wide for required or Traffic to be painted on road provision for
wide for two-way two-way movement. calming essential where and traffic calming cyclists
movement. segregated cycle lanes required.
(min. 2.5m) are not
provided.
Service lanes Service lanes required. Service lanes required above No service lane required No service lane No service lane
45m RoW. required required

Medians and Continuous median; Intermittent or No median; Intermittent or No No medians; traffic No medians; traffic
junctions all openings at openings/ intersections median; openings/ calmed crossings, or calmed crossings, or
intersections accompanied by signals and intersections mini roundabouts mini roundabouts
accompanied by traffic calming. accompanied by signals
signals and traffic and traffic calming.
calming.

ii) ‗Carriageway‘ is a reserved space for movement of motorized vehicles only, in case segregated space is reserved for non-motorized
vehicles within the RoW, and for mixed traffic in case segregated space is not reserved for NMT.
iii) NMV/Cycle Track – is a reserved space for movement of non-motorized vehicles like cycle, cycle rickshaws and hand pull carts.
iv) X-section of the road- shows the typical space reservation along the width of the RoW for all motorized vehicles (cars, scooter, buses
etc.) non-motorized vehicles (cycle, cycle rickshaws etc.), pedestrians, medians, street furniture, utilities, etc. within the Right of Way
(RoW).

In the current scenario, sub-arterial and collector roads are forming the network system of the city. Local streets and access streets in newer
areas and in some places even collector roads are missing resulting in restricted distribution of traffic over a network and concentration of
even local traffic on sub-arterial roads, resulting in congestion on these roads. Further, closure of medians all along arterial/ sub-arterial
roads to have signal-free corridors, have restricted movement of traffic/ people between neighbourhoods on either side. Moreover,
connections between colonies are also not planned to enable direct connectivity to local destinations, forcing people to come on to arterial

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roads to make even short local trips.

In order to reduce congestion on the existing roads, there is dire need to identify additional/alternative links and access corridors to
augment the current network, with the following measures:
i. Augmentation of road network to distribute high traffic volume over multiple roads, instead of stand-alone corridor/ junction
capacity improvement strategies.
ii. Road networks to be planned with a vehicular route network of approximately 250m c/c, as also specified in the NMSH parameters,
2011. Additional pedestrian/ NMT thoroughfares should be provided as required.
iii. Road networks/ alignments need to be planned with minimum disruption of existing settlements/ structures and environmentally
significant areas sensitive to such development.
iv. All roads to be cleared from impediments and developed as per street design regulations.
v. Area level parking management should be taken up as part of network improvement for effective utilization of the capacity of roads
to augment the network.
vi. A parallel connection (or connecting missing links) around the Boulevard and Foreshore road to be planned and perpendicular
connections from Boulevard and Foreshore road to the parallel road to be planned to complete the network.
Three-tier road network as envisioned is required to be developed to restructure the predominantly radial pattern into a Ring Radial network as
given below:

i. Tier -1: Inner Ring Road (IRR)


The Inner Ring Road will be an important Collector street having at least two-lane dual c/w configuration in inner city areas and minimum
three-lane dual c/w configuration in the remaining areas. The tier is provided to have dedicated bus-bays (one km apart) and mandatory
side-walks for pedestrians. Traffic management has to be ITS-enabled conditioned by installation of synchronised traffic signals, CCTV
Cameras, remote sensors, automated traffic control room etc. The indicative alignment of the IRR is as follows:

Qamarwari-Sakidafar-Nowakadal-Rajoiuri Kadal-Khanyar-Fakhr-e-Kashmir bridge-MA Road-Raj Bagh-Padshahi Bagh-Nowgam NH Bypass-


Hyderpora--Tengpora-JVMC upto State Motor Garages near Hajj House-Qamarwari along proposed new link.

The proposed IRR is already available from Qamarwari to Raj Bagh and from Pohru to State Motor Garages Bemina. Development of this
Ring road will require constructing three important missing links:

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i) from the (under-construction) bridge at PC School Rajbagh to MA Road through/around Polo Ground;
ii) from Raj Bagh Police Station to Pohru NH Bypass via Padshahi Bagh along existing Bridge at Flood Spill. The bridge has to be
upgraded as per the cross section of the road. This link is viewed as the most potential one as it would drastically reduce
average travel time between core city/Lal Chowk and Nowgam Railway Station from half an hour to about 10 minutes. As such,
this link will redeem the functional importance of Nowgam Railway Station for city dwellers and the regional commuters whose
work places are located within the Central Business District (CBD).
iii) From NH Bypass near State Motor Garages to Qamarwari Chowk. The missing link is proposed through existing built up area
which will involve acquisition/demolition of not more than 20-25 existing residential structures. However, the proposed link
will have enormous functional importance in the corridor development besides improving accessibility of core city from central
and western parts of Kashmir.

The Master Plan proposes low-floor high capacity bus-based transport system on tier-1. It is proposed that the Raj Bagh Bund Road and the
Gogji Bagh Road be made as one-way streets up to IG Airport Road and both the roads be developed into three lane undivided c/w
configuration with dedicated NMT lanes for pedestrians and cyclists.

ii. Tier-2: Inter-Mediate Ring Road (IMRR): The IMRR is proposed to be developed of sub-arterial hierarchy with minimum 35 metre RoW.
The road is proposed to be based on three-lane dual carriageway configuration with shared NMT lanes. It shall have properly located bus-
bays (one km apart) and ITS-based traffic management measures in place. The indicative alignment of the tier-2 road is as follows:
Sempora near JKEDI – Khanda - Gogoo – Humhama Chowk – Sheikhpora - Sebdan – Haran - Soibough – Haji Bagh - HMT – Parimpora –
Zonimar - Zadibal – Lal Bazaar – Hazratbal – Saidakadal –Dalgate - Sonwar- Pantha Chowk and back to Sempora

For the development of tier-2 corridor, the missing links in South, West and North directions from Pampore to Humhama, Sheikhpora to HMT
via Sebdan, Harran and Soibough and Parimpora to Zadibal via Khushalsar will have to be developed not later than second phase of this master
plan (2020-25). However; its alignment shall be finalised on ground immediately after the approval of this master plan. It is also proposed that
the part of the road traversing through flood plains shall be constructed on piers to avoid any constriction to flood waters.

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iii. Tier-3: Outer Ring Road (ORR): This is the main spine of regional network and third tier/Outer Ring of Srinagar city‘s. Passing through
five districts the road connects important functional nodes4. The outer bypass is proposed to be an ITS-enabled Wi-Fi access controlled
corridor based on smart traffic solutions. The proposed alignment of the ORR is as follows:
Galandhar – Khanda – Budgam – Narbal – Rambirgarh - Sumbal – Ganderbal – Pandach – Zakura - Shalimar Bagh – Dalgate – Pantha Chowk –
Pampore and back to Galandhar.

The objective is not only to promote mobility but accessibility and efficient connections. Therefore, the 3-tier Ring-Radial road network will
have to be rationally connected to existing and proposed radials as shown in the Plan. As discussed earlier, for the three stage dispersal of
traffic in and around Srinagar, the city will have to have at least nine radials entering it from different directions viz; Anantnag (NH-44),
Pulwama, Chadoora, Rangreth, Airport, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal (NH-1D). While the existing radials suffer from severe congestion
with v/c ratios measuring above 1.0, most of the road intersections are based on poor geometric design. Besides widening of some
important radials, new radials are proposed to improve the overall efficiency of transport network. The city needs significant investments in
public transport on the concept of equality and inclusivity.
Table 11-2: Proposed Improvement of Intersections
Sr. No. Location Proposed Design of the Intersection
1 Pantha Chowk Grade Separator
2 Nowgam Chowk Grade Separator
3 Sanat Nagar Chowk Grade Separator
4 Tengpora-Batamaloo Crossing Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
5 Bemina Chowk Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
6 Parimpora Chowk Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
7 Shalteng Chowk Full Grade Separator

4
The 61 km long ring road from Galandhar to Ganderbal is already approved by the GoI for a 60 metre RoW forms part of the tier-3 ring road. The outer
bypass from Galandhar to Rebtar near Sumbal will form part of the proposed Outer Ring Road. The Galandhar-Ganderbal ring Road is proposed to be a
fully access-controlled high speed corridor with segregated Service Roads (7.50 mtr.) on both sides (Refer X-section). The road has to be developed as an
expressway for regional traffic and shall be designated as a new bye-pass to Srinagar city. The ORR is proposed to be signal free constructed for the design
speed of 100 KPH. The section of the road traversing through flood plains shall be constructed on piers so that the natural flood basin is not affected.

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8 Humhama Chowk Elevated corridor from Airport Gate over Humhama Chowk
9 Jhelum Bund near GPO to Sangar Mall Elevated Corridor from Jhelum Bund connecting Skewed Bridge with
Eastern Foreshore near Sanagar Mall
10 Soura Chowk Signalised Intersection
11 Dalgate crossing Grade Separator
12 J&K Bank Corporate Office Crossing Grade Separator/half cloverleaf(trumpet)
13 Narbal Crossing Grade Separator
14 Jawaharpora Narbal Crossing Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
15 Mirgund Crossing Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
16 Kandizal Crossing Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
17 Ichigam Crossing Full Grade Interchange/Cloverleaf
18 Elahi Bagh Crossing of IMRR Signalised Intersection

In view of the potential loss to heritage, widening of city roads is not viewed as a preferred strategy in this Master Plan and in fact, has been
limited to inevitable areas as and where required. These long term measures have to be dovetailed in a phased manner to achieve the master
plan targets. It is also recommended that the alignments of all existing and proposed roads identified in the master plan need to be
physically demarcated on ground so that the proposed RoW remains free of any encumbrance and encroachment. Besides provision of
missing links, following road intersections need to be re-designed as shown in Table 11-2:

Intersections and crossings are the most crucial components of a road network system as they allow directional traffic to move through the
junctions, resulting in complex movements and conflict points for MV, NMV and pedestrian traffic. Intersections must be designed to
reduce delays and increase safety for all road users, with a priority to non-motorized and public transport modes. The design of
intersections with proper signalization and signage, markings etc. is very important for regulated and safe movement of all modes. Road
owning agencies concerned shall be responsible for installing the appropriate road signage and markings, and maintaining them on regular
basis. To facilitate easy interchange between modes and allow local trips to be made on NMT or foot, mid-block crossings need to be
provided at approximately every 250 meters or less. In addition, pedestrians including children, women, elderly and the differentially-
abled, must be given the shortest possible direct route to cross the street, therefore the most preferred crossing for them is ―at-grade‖ with
signalization, both at intersections and mid-block crossings. Pedestrian signals should be synchronized with the nearest traffic signals, for
smooth movement of traffic along with safe pedestrian/ NMT crossing. Grade separators may also be provided at junctions as per codes,
where thoroughfare traffic may be in high volume. Care must be taken that local level connectivity at the ground level and safe at-grade

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crossings are provided for all modes as per the criteria of this Section. In any case, grade separator should not be implemented as a
standalone project but as part of a comprehensive network plan with traffic circulation system and traffic management measures for an
influence area around the junction.

Road Widths and Building Lines


In order to review the Building Lines/Right-of-Ways (RoWs) of important city roads on the basis of actual ground realities, Town Planning
Organisation Kashmir constituted a number of teams to collect first-hand information from the field. The data regarding existing RoW and
existing building line for each listed road was collected and analysed vis-à-vis the violations w.r.t. RoW and building line as proposed in the
Master Plan-2021. It was found that RoWs and Building lines for most of the roads proposed in the Master Plan -2021 were inconsistent with
a number of them in deviation from the actual site conditions as existed in 2000 and others having advertently been violated. Accordingly,
attempt has been made to rationalise the RoWs and building lines of important city roads as given in Table 11-3 below and are proposed to
be incorporated in the Master Plan.

Table 11-3: Proposed Right-of-Way and Building Line


RoW in Metres
Sl. No. Name of Road Proposed Proposed Building
RoW Line
1 Gallandhar - Ganderbal Expressway via Chadoora, Badgam, Narbal, Sumbal 60 50
2 N.H- 44 from Gallandhar to Planning Area Limits towards Awantipore 60 50
3 Road from Outer Bypass intersection at Mirgund to Planning area limits towards Pattan 60 50
4 N.H.-44 from Gallandhar along railway line upto existing N/H Bypass near Peaks Auto Ltd 50 40
5 Existing N/H Bypass from Pantha Chowk - Parimpora Chowk via Nowgam, Hyderpora and 50 35
Bemina
6 Road from Parimpora to Mirgund connecting Outer Byepass via HMT-Lawaypora 50 40
7 Proposed Road from Bandipora Road at Mujgund to NH-44 at Lawaypora 35 25
8 Proposed road from Pandach to Shalimar Bagh (Part of ORR) 35 30
9 Proposed Intermediate Ring Road (Partly) from Sempora - Deharmuna via Wagoora, Humhama, 35 25
Sebdan connecting ORR near Farash Gund Crossing
10 Proposed Road from Expressway near Sumbal upto Pandach (ORR-Partly existing and partly 35 25
realigned)
11 Existing NH from Gallandhar - Parimpora Via Pantha Chowk-Sonwar-Lal Chowk-Batmaloo- 35 25
Qamarwari

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12 Proposed Intermediate Ring Road (Partly) from Soibugh to HMT Crossing via Hokersar - 35 25
Zainakote
40 metre upto Northern
Road from Shalimar Bagh to Nehru Park along Dal Lake via Nishat (Part of ORR) partly realigned Foreshore Road intersection
13 35
at Ishber to avoid large-scale demolition wherefrom upto Shalimar
Bagh it shall be 25 metres
14 District Road from the intersection of ORR at Galandhar to Pulwama 35 30
15 Proposed Ganderbal Necklace Road from ORR intersection near proposed Terminal to Planning 35 25
Area limits and beyond
16 Existing Srinagar - Bandipora Road from HMT crossing at Shalteng to Planning Area limits and 35 30
beyond
17 IG (Airport) Road from Jehangir Chowk to Airport Gate (Outer) 30 25
18 Proposed Road from Parimpora chowk to Zadibal connecting Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan along the 30 20
Western Bank of Khusahalsar lagoon with a proposed bridge on Jhelum River at Parimpora
19 Existing Road from Jehangir Chowk - SKIMS Chowk (Ali Jan Road) via Shaheed Ganj, Karan 30 20
Nagar , Safa Kadal, Sekidafar and Zonimar
20 Proposed Upgradation of Hazratbal Road from Zadibal Crossing to Hazratbal Crossing via Lal 30 20
Bazaar, Kanitar
21 Proposed Western Foreshore road from Kohankhan near Baba Dharamdass Temple to Hazratbal 30 20
22 Existing Narbal - Tangmarg Road (NTR) 30 20
23 Proposed Bund Road from N/H Bypass at Puhroo behind Natipora, Padshahi Bagh to Presentation 30 20
Convent Rajbagh along Kitab Lane
24 Proposed Road from IMRR at Khushipora to N/H Bypass near State Motor Garages Bemina via 30 20
Rakh-e-Gandakshah
25 Proposed Road from Batmaloo to Sheikhpora connecting IMRR via Tengpora and Nambali 30 20
Narkura (partly existing)
26 TRC Road from Radio Kashmir Crossing to M. A. Road near J&K Bank Corporate Office 30 20
27 Old Airport Road from Baghat chowk to Rangreth via Sanat Nagar 30 20
28 Bemina Road from Tatoo Ground to Outer Ring Road via Bemina, Khumoini chowk and Sebdan 30 20
29 Hazratbal to Pandach via Zakura connecting Outer Ring Road 30 20
North-South Corridor from SKIMS crossing to Pandach (Realigned) 30 20
30 Chadoora - Rambagh Road via Mochow, Bagh-i-Mehtab and Chanapora 25 18
31 Upgradation of Link Road from National School Karan Nagar to Batamaloo along Cremation 25 18
Ground

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32 Existing Road from Fire & emergency office at Batamaloo to Nawakadal connecting Nalamar Road 25 18
via Choota Bazaar, Zaldagar, Nawab Bazaar, Syed Hamidpora
33 Road from Exhibition Ground to Kohankhan near Baba Dharamdass Temple along Tsunti kul via 25 18
Shaheed Gunj, Barbarshah with bridges proposed across kutkhul and Jhelum
34 Ichgam Road from Badgam main Chowk to Ichigam and beyond 25 18
35 Badgam - Beeru Road from Budgam main Chowk to Nasrullahpora and beyond to ORR 25 18
36 Ompora to Badgam near DC office connecting ORR /Expressway via Wadipora, Lakhripora with 25 18
RoB across Railway Link Road
37 Existing Road from ORR intersection at Pandach to Planning Area Limits via main market 25 18
Ganderbal
38 Road from NH Bypass at Ansari Tyota upto new bridge on FSC near Kushipora 25 18
39 Northern Foreshore from Nishat to Naseem Bagh 25 18
40 Baba Demb Western Foreshore Road from Nallamar Road near Khanyar Police Station to M.A 25 18
Road via Barbarshah
41 Baba Demb Southern Foreshore Road from Azad Filling Station to Barbarshah 25 18
42 Badgam - Humhama Road from IMRR intersection at Sheikhpora to Budgam main chowk 25 18
43 Southern Anchar Foreshore Road from ORR to Ali Jan road via Sangam Village 25 18
44 Road from Nowgam Chowk to Newa onwards to Pulwama via Kani Pora and Khanda 25 18
45 Harwan Road from NFR to Harwan via Shalimar 25 18
47 Habbak - Khimber Road via Batapore Inderhama 25 18
48 Panthachowk to Khrew via Zewan - Khunamoh - Wuyan and onwards to Lethpora connecting 25 18
N/H-44
49 Link Road from N/H Bypass Bemina near State Motor Garages to Qamarwari 25 18
50 Existing Ganderbal - Manigam Roadthrough main town from Intersection at ORR to the 25 18
intersection of with Ganderbal Ring Road
51 Ganderbal - Manasbal Road connecting Central University including Re-Alignment upto Planning 25 18
Area Limits
52 Ganderbal Central Road from Dudrehama Junction to ORR behind Saloora Forest Nursery 25 18
Road from Nagbal to Harwan via Alusteng, Khimber, Chaterhama, Saidapora Bala and Muftibagh 25 18
53 Proposed Road from Hyderpora Junction near Galwanpora Crossing to Soibugh via Narkura - 25 18
Khomeini Chowk - Rakhi Haran
54 Existing Road from Aali Masjid to Hawal via Sazgaripora 25 18
55 Gousia Hospital to M.A Road near Sangarmaal City Centre via Fakhri Kashmir bridge and 21 18
onwards to Residency Road via Polo View (elevated stretch)

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56 Haft Chinar to Raj Bagh via Wazir Bagh and Ikhrajpora connecting IRR at Police Station and 21 18
beyond to Hatrick Restaurant (to be uni-directional)
57 Bakshi Stadium to TRC Chowk near Radion Kahsmir via Abdullah Bridge along right bank of 21 18
River Jhelum (to be uni-directional)
58 Boulevard from Dalgate to Nehru Park connecting ORR near proposed Tunnel 21 40
59 Nallamar Road from Qamarwari Chowk to Baba Demb near Gousia Hospital 5 21 10.5
60 Road from Baba Dharamdass Temple to SKIMS via Khanyar, Nowhatta, Hawal and Nowshehra 21 18
61 Road from Khanyar Chowk to Saida Kadal via Rainwari connecting proposed Western Foreshore 21 18
Road
62 Residency Road from Sonwar Chowk to Jehangir Chowk over Amira kadal 21 10.5
63 Jawahar Nagar Road from Lal Mandi junction to Mehjoor Nagar Bridge on Rambagh FSC 21 15
64 Wuyen to Sempora connecting N/H-44 via Balahama at IMMR intersection 21 18
65 Road from Nawab Bazaar to Bemina Chowk via Shah Mohalla, Kak Sarai Chowk, & Chana 21 15
Mohalla (partly realigned)
66 Batpore - Shalimar Road via Telbal 15 15
67 Road from Busberg to Chandpore via Saidapore Humchi, Inderhama, Mulphak and Daniham 15 15
along with a new bridge on Telbal Nallah at Chandpore
68 Proposed Eastern Anchar Bundh Road from Zonimar behind SKIMS upto Umarhear 15 15
69 Upgradation of a road from Umerhear to Darbagh via Zakura, Burzahama 15 12
70 (Existing) Shalimar Road from Nishat to Ishber connecting proposed ORR 15 10
71 Gupkar Road from Sonwar Boulevard near Police Golf Course 15 15
72 Budgam - Magam Road from Nasrullapore to Soibugh and onwards to ORR and beyond to 15 12
Planning Area Limits (partly realigned)
73 Upgradation of existing from Barbarshah to Khyam vial Ihkwan Hotel 15 15
74 Upgradation of existing road from Srinagar – Baramullat at Mustfaabad HMT upto Khusipora via 15 12
Zainakote Industrial area
75 Road from Sheikhpora to Badgam via Ompora 15 12
76 New Zainakadal to Nawab Bazar junction via Shah Mohalla & Dalal Mohalla 15 12
77 Road from Aali Kadal to Fateh Kadal via Urdu Bazaar 15 12

5
As per the recommendation of the Committee constituted for the scrutiny of objections and suggestions, the master plan envisages that detailed plan aiming
at the restoration of architectural essence on both sides of this road shall be put in place.
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78 Road from Chota Bazaar to Western Foreshore Road Brari Numbal (Naqashpora) via Kani Kadal, 15 12
Babapora, New Habakadal
79 Nai Sadak from Gaw Kadal to Kathidarwaza via Kralkhud, Habbakdal, Chinkral Mohalla, 15 12
Fatehkadal, KK Mohalla, Qaziyar, Bohri Kadal, Pandan, Nowhatta and Malakhah
80 Tankipora Zainadar Mohalla Road upto Habbakadal 15 12
81 Zaldagar to Western Foreshore Road via Biscoe Bridge and Malik Angan
82 Road from Kaksarai to Shah Mohalla Bazaar
83 Budoo Bagh - Koolipora Road connecting Eastern Foreshore Road with SMS Road at GHSS 15 12
Khanyar
84 Road from MK Saheb Chowk to Ownta Bawan connecting 90 Feet via Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan, 15 12
Madeen Saheb, Doonibagh, Tawheedabad over Akmal Bridge
85 Link Road from Habak crossing to Proposed Eastern Anchar Bund Road connecting 90 Feet and 15 12
Buchpora road via Malbagh
86 Road from Lasjan Bypass Bridge to Pampore and onwards to Kakapora via Tengan, Summerbug 15 12
along Left Bank of river Jhelum upto ORR
87 Pampore - Khrew Road via from Kadlabal to Khrew main chowk via Konabal 15 12
88 Buchpora Road from SKIMS Crossing to Pandach via Buchpora 15 10
89 Mahjoor Nagar to Lasjan near Bypass via Padashashi Bagh 15 12
90 Walled city Road from Firdous Cinema Junction to Saida Kadal via Sangeen Darwaza, Devi Angan, 15 12
Baghi Waris Khan, Khojyarbal along the shore of Nageen Lake
91 Narkura Road from Ompura to Gangabug near Rambagh FSC 15 12
92 Chattabal Road from Qamarwari to Safa Kadal Road near Shareen Bagh 15 12
93 Jamallatta Road from Safa Kadal Bridge to Gojwara Chowh via Nawa Kadal, Ali Kadal and Rajouri 15 12
Kadal
94 Pandan Road from Bohri Kadal to Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara via Pandan, Nowhatta and 15 12
Malkhah
95 Up-gradation of a Road from Shahampora to Vishwa Bharti College via Jogilankar 15 12
96 Jhelum Bund Road from Cement Bridge upto Anchar Foreshore Road via Noorbagh, Palpore and 15 15
Taken
97 Batapora - Alusteng Road 15 12
98 Burzahama -Dhanihama - Chatterhama Road 15 12
99 Rambagh Flood Spill Channel (FSC) Bund Roads along both banks 15 12
100 Road from Nowgam Chowk to Natipora crossing 15 10
101 Road from Puhroo Chowk to Pampore Railway Station via Suth connecting Outer Ring 15 12

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Road/Expressway
102 Other Bund Roads other than those specified separately 15 12
Note:
 The proposed Building Line and proposed RoW for any road specifically not mentioned above shall be decided on the basis of same pattern as proposed above or
its functional hierarchy, existing road width and continuity.
 In case of approved housing colonies, the individual plot setbacks as prescribed in the approved layouts of said colonies shall prevail over the proposed Building
Line(s) as envisaged above.
 Other than Lanes/By-lanes/Access streets, rest of the roads/link roads specifically not mentioned above shall not be less than 11.50 metre in RoW and their
Building Line from centre of the road shall not be less than eight (08) metre.
 In case of a road / link existing in between two roads in the same alignment, the RoW and Building Line specifically not mentioned in this master plan shall have
the RoW and Building Line of the road with maximum RoW and Building Line.

11.3 Integrated Intercity and Intra-city Bus Terminals/ Bus Depots


Location of bus terminals is key to optimal rationalization of city routes. At present all bus/mini-bus operations whether intra-city, inter-
city or inter-state originate and terminate at Pantha Chowk, Batamaloo, Soura and Hazratbal terminals. It is proposed that Batamaloo
terminal be shifted to Parimpora for ―Intra-city Bus and Mini-bus operations‖ in Phase -I while as Pantha Chowk Bus Terminal be shifted to
Galandhar along Galandhar - Pulwama Road for Inter-city and Inter-state transport operations. The existing Batamaloo and Pantha Chowk
terminals are proposed to be developed as City Centre and Sub-city Centre respectively. Besides, to meet the future demand, following
regional bus terminals for intra-city and intra-state traffic operations are proposed in Phase –II (2020-25):
1) Ganderbal along the ORR ear District police Line (New)
2) Narbal along proposed Lawaypora – Mujgund Road
3) Budgam [existing bus terminal to be upgraded]
4) Nowgam Railway Station along existing parking lot

11.3.1 Bus Depots


At present all the buses whether intra-city, inter-city or inter-state use Pantha Chowk and Batamaloo bus stands as halting places as well as
repair and servicing points. It has been estimated that for the future demand, more than 2000 standard buses will be required by the year
2035. For these buses, at least five bus depots at various places will be required. In addition there will be 1000 minibuses by 2031 which will

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also ultimately need stabling and servicing facilities. To meet the future demands of buses and mini buses, three bus depots besides
Parimpora are proposed one each at Galandhar, Ganderbal, Narbal and Budgam regional terminals along with other facilities of a bus terminal.

Table 11-4: Proposed Bus Depots in Srinagar Metropolitan Region


Sr. No. Bus Depots Implementation Phasing Proposed Bus Capacity Remarks

1 Narbal I 500 Inter-city and local buses


2 Galandhar II 600 Inter-city and local buses
3 Ganderbal III 400 Inter-city and local buses
4 Parimpora I 200 Intra-city buses
5 Budgam I 300 Inter-city and local buses
Total 2000

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11.4 Inland Multimodal Container Depot/Dry Port


At present all goods traffic gets concentrated at Pantha Chowk and Parimpora Mandi. In addition, FCI godowns in Shaheed Gunj also
attract heavy goods traffic into main CBD. Unlike CMP6, the master plan envisages development of an Inland Multimodal Container Depot
near Budgam Railway Station which inter-alia shall comprise IFC, Truck Terminal, grain mandi, Fruit and Vegetable Mandi with all facilities
for wholesale businesses, warehousing, cold storage, loading /unloading facilities, parking, workshops etc. The facility shall be supported
by concrete steps to ensure ease of doing businesses in the Dry Port. By developing IMCD at Budgam, heavy goods traffic entering city will
be directed along its periphery, and light/small goods carrier vehicles can be used for intra-city freight movement. The development of
Outer Ring Road is also going to facilitate diversion of [through] freight traffic. The access road and the connecting roads are proposed to be
developed/widened as per the configuration proposed in Transport Plan. In addition, a mini-IFC is proposed at Nowgam along the railway
line as shown in the Proposed Landuse Plan-2035. Since the activities aim at facilitating doing commerce and business, both the uses have
been put under Commercial Use for building and regulations.

11.5 Public Transport


Public transport despite its poor quality of service has been the major provider
of transport services catering to 75 percent of total trips in 1989 which has
reached to 80 percent in 2011. Despite this Srinagar has been facing traffic
congestion, traffic jams and gridlock which is affecting the economy and the
quality of life of its citizens. To ensure safe, affordable, reliable and quick access
to work places for the growing population, the GoI announced the National
Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) in 2006 . The policy seeks to achieve its objectives
through—
 more equitable allocation of road space with people rather than vehicles as the
main focus;
 establishment of a Unified Agency to handle the transport systems at all levels;
 integration of public transport systems;
 encouragement of non-motorised transport;

6
The CMP upholds the proposed location of IFC at Nowgam Railway Station and proposes develop all facilities of wholesale markets, loading /unloading facilities, parking, workshops
etc in this IFC.

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 rational pricing and innovative financing for addressing the issue of affordability versus viability

The Master Plan envisages public transport as the backbone of mobility in Srinagar city. The basic premise is to develop an efficient, cost
effective and extensive coverage of public transport corridors providing sustainable, convenient and affordable means of travel to
commuters. This is also consistent with the objective of 12th FY Plan (2012-17) which seeks to promote faster GDP growth while reducing the
intensity of emissions. It calls for policies to encourage greater use of public and non-motorised transport in Indian cities. The Plan sets a
target of 50% of motorised trips to be catered by public transport which seems to be less ambitious when compared with the mega cities7 of
India. As per the CMP, the city will have 36 lakh trips by 2031 with 61% public motorized trips. As such, the city will need a robust public
transport system to sustain this modal choice simultaneously reducing the congestion on city roads.

11.5.1 Augmentation and Improvement of City Bus System


Unlike other metro-cities of India, Srinagar does not have its own significant city bus service. However, the J&K SRTC provides a limited
bus service despite the fact that it used to be the main public transport service provider till 1980s. The department has lost its sheen due to
official apathy and archaic management system. Seventy five (75) buses procured under JnNURM for strengthening public transport of
Srinagar city are unfortunately being used for purposes other than improving the public transport system. At present a huge fleet of
Multipurpose Vehicles (MPVs) and approximately 2000 mini-buses are plying on city roads whose operations are entirely managed by
private operators. The Master Plan envisages establishing a City Bus Service (CBS) for Srinagar and recommends the replacement of existing
mini-bus services with a High Capacity Bus System (HCBS) operated by a unified authority. The owners and operators of mini-buses and
other MPVs however, shall be rehabilitated by evolving a suitable policy safeguarding their interests.

As per CMP, the city will need at least 900 standard size buses and 1700 mini buses by the year 2021 and about 1100 buses along with 2000
mini buses by 2031 subject to the condition that the MRT components do not lag behind in implementation. The quality of services will also
have to be of much higher standard if the city wants to achieve the NUTP objectives of changing the passenger preference from personalized
vehicles to public transport. Accordingly, it is recommended that all the new buses to be added to fleet, either as ―addition or replacement‖
should be low floor good quality air conditioned buses considering the commuter comfort. Besides, the proposed city transport authority
should introduce gender based transport services in Srinagar city. One of the hallmarks of sustainable and people-centric transport planning

7As per the study conducted by the MoUD, GoI (2008), 44% of urban motorised trips (27% of all trips) were already being catered for by Public Transport and in Mega cities, the share of
public Transport was already 63% of motorised trips.

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is its inclusiveness as such, it is recommended that besides aforesaid special buses for women, mandatory seat reservations shall be made
for senior citizens and the persons with disabilities. It is proposed that the Srinagar Metropolitan Transport Corporation shall initially
purchase a fleet of 500 modern comfortable air conditioned low floor buses during first quarter of this master plan (2016-2020). It is
recommended that the inter-district public transport other than MPVs plying from other districts shall be restricted to the proposed regional
bus terminals and shall act as feeder service for the HCBS. With the introduction of HCBS, most of the passengers are expected to switch
over to this modern bus system. In spite of the fact that a comprehensive service coverage has been proposed under HCBS, BRTS for
promoting public transport, the Paratransit (mini-buses, MPVs etc) shall continue to operate as feeder service on some of the city roads
where HCBS cannot be made operational.

11.5.2 Short-term Measures


Besides, various short-term measures are also suggested to improve the efficiency of city transport to a minimum desired level of service.
These measures will optimise the use of available infrastructure comprising construction interventions having least rehabilitation and
resettlement implications. Among the short-term measures focus shall be on traffic engineering and management measures like—

 improvement of road geometrics and intersection design;


 removal of traffic bottlenecks;
 provision of ITS measures like traffic signals, CCTV cameras, road signs and markings;
 ban on certain turning movements at intersections and closing of unwanted side roads and critical median gaps especially along the
designated North – South and East – West Corridors;
 identification of No ‗On-Street Parking‘ roads, One-way streets, No-Traffic Zones in CBD Lal Chowk and core city area;
 provision and improvement of ‗Off-Street Parking‘ lots;
 Detailed plans of parking lots on the periphery of CBD ensuring least personalised traffic movement within CBD;
 design improvement of footpaths in terms of height, width, levelling, ramps, and removal of obstructions therefrom;
 provision of footpaths along important city roads;
 provision of Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Stands/TSM Stands at suitable locations
 comprehensive provision of bus bays and passenger shelters

As per the surveys, about 75% of the passengers using multiple modes have shown their willingness to shift to public transport with about
56% ready to pay even higher fare rates (1.25 times). Therefore, an efficient public transport system based on High Capacity Bus Transit and
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Light Rail Transit is one of the ‗USPs‘ of this Master Plan. Accordingly, multi-modal integrated mass transport corridors are proposed in the
north-south and east-west directions. It is proposed that following priority shall be adopted in the promotion of public transport systems:

11.5.3 Public Transport Systems


i) 1st Priority: High Capacity Bus System;
ii) 2nd Priority: Bus Rapid Transit System; and
iii) 3rd Priority: Mass Rapid Transit System

Initially the Government should procure a fleet of low floor high capacity buses and introduce the same on important city corridors
replacing the present mini-buses in a phased manner. In order to improve the efficiency and quality of public transport in the city, sustained
efforts should be made to facilitate people to switch over from present IPT system (Mini-buses and shared cars like Sumos) to High Capacity
Bus System (HCBS) on below listed routes. The Master Plan besides envisaging the augmentation of bus fleet significantly, proposes the
rationalization of bus routes as High Capacity Bus Corridors in North – South and East – West directions:

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high quality, ultra-modern, customer oriented transit
option to deliver fast, comfortable and cost-effective urban mobility. It is an integrated
system of facilities, equipment services, and amenities that improves the speed,
Home NMTS IPTS
reliability, and identity of bus transit. BRT can easily handle passenger flow in the
range of about 4000 to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction – depending upon the
lanes (number, type) dedicated to bus system. The main features of BRT system
include the following:
 Dedicated bus-ways (preferably, physically separated from other traffic) MRTS HCBS
 Accessible at same level, safe, secure and attractive stations
 Easy-to-board, attractive and environment friendly buses.
 Efficient (preferably off-board) fare collection

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 ITS application to provide real time passenger information, signal priority and
service command and control.
 Frequent and distinctive system identity

Considering the expected traffic demand, a BRT corridor along the designated Inter-
Mediate Ring Road is proposed in the 2nd phase of this master plan. The BRT corridor
will have space for two dedicated bus lanes one on each side having priority at
signalized junctions. On the other hand, corridors expected to have likely traffic demand
of less than 10,000 PHPDT and having ROW less than 20 metre, High Capacity Bus
System (HCBS) is recommended.

Taking into consideration the likely travel demand in the metro region of Srinagar by
2035, BRT system as 2nd priority following HCBS is proposed along following corridors:

Table 11-6: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors


Sr. No. Name of Corridor BRT Type Implementation Phase
01 Pampore – Pantha Chowk – Sonwar – Lal Chowk – Batamaloo – Qamarwari – Fully dedicated corridor Phase I
Parimpora – Narbal
02 Pantha Chowk - Nowgam – Sanat Nagar - Hyderpora – Bemina - Parimpora - Fully dedicated corridor Phase II
Zonimar – Soura – Elahibagh - Ganderbal

It is proposed that priority signaling for buses at the junctions (in case of BRTS), provision of proper road-side bus stops and integration
points with the other modes will have to be provided effectively for efficient use of this bus transport system.

11.6 Mass Rapid Transit System


As per CMP, only 12% trips are more than 10 km. As per CMP, the recommended PPHPDT for having a Metro system is 30,000 and above.
The maximum passenger demand is 9,100 - 14,400 PPHPDT on high capacity corridors for which Metro will be inefficient and very
expensive. Also, 12% trips are too few to be considered for a high capacity metro rail system for the city. However, inter-city travel trips,
which are majorly dependent on private transport, should be replaced with a high-speed public transport system. Srinagar, being the socio-
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economic hub of Kashmir Region has an immense inter-city travel requirement. However, Srinagar is the primate city in Kashmir Region
enjoying the influence on its regional and sub-urban centers as a result of which a large number of commuters shuttle between Srinagar City
and nearby towns viz; Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal etc. Most of these commuters travel by buses, para-transit
modes, personal vehicles as well as by trains. Since road based transport is time consuming, expensive and uncomfortable, the general
preference is to use the rail system which is faster, comfortable and economical. As per CMP, it is provided that by developing a dedicated
public transport service between Srinagar and its regional/sub-urban towns, at least 60% modal shift will take place from road-based
transport system to rail based system. It is proposed that all towns and cities around Srinagar be
connected by this system in a phased manner with improved interchange facilities in the city at
well-designed interchange stations.

The city needs to have a long term Mass Rapid Transit System implantable over next two
decades as metro rail provides a safe and efficient public transport. This will elevate the overall
level public transport systems and range of user choice in the city. The MRTS is proposed to be
partly elevated and partly underground. Primarily the focus area should core city in Phase I
followed by its extensions to suburbs in subsequent phases. It has to be properly integrated with
Commuter Rail System to provide efficient interchanges for the commuters.

 MRTS Corridors (Phase-I):


i) Airport to Pandach via Hyderpora, Bagat, Solina, Batamaloo, Nawa kadal, Rajouri Kadal,
Hawal, Labazaar, Soura touching 90 feet Road.
ii) Pantha Chowk to Parimpora via Sonwar, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Batmaloo, Qamarwari.
iii) Lal Chowk to Batpora via Konakhan along the proposed Western Foreshore Road behind
Nowpora and Rainawari upto Saida Kadal to Hazratbal connecting proposed Outer Ring Road
near Batpora.

 MRTS Corridors (Phase-II):


Plate-: People using roof top of a Local train
i) Extension of Phase I corridors to Budgam, Pampore, Ganderbal and Narbal adjacent to
in 2015 for travelling from Anantnag to
proposed and existing bus terminals for ensuring integration of traffic modes.
Srinagar

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11.7 Commuter and Goods Rail System (CGRS)


Srinagar is the primate city in Kashmir Region enjoying the influence on its regional and sub-urban centres as a result of which a large
number of commuters shuttle between Srinagar City and nearby towns viz; Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal etc. Most of
these commuters travel by buses, para-transit modes, personal vehicles as well as by trains. Since road based transport is time consuming,
expensive and uncomfortable, the general preference is to use the rail system which is faster, comfortable and economical. As per CMP, it is
provided that by developing a dedicated commuter service between Srinagar and its regional/sub-urban towns, at least 60% modal shift
will take place from road-based transport system to rail based system. Although Srinagar does not have a commuter rail system available
with all sub-urban towns, as such road transport is the most widely used mode of transport in the Valley floor. Srinagar city will require
gradual growth in the number of commuter trains together with increased frequency along existing and proposed new tracks. It is proposed
that the frequency of daily train services along the existing tracks be increased sufficiently especially during morning and evening peak
hours. About 15-20 trains per day shall be allowed to operate between Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla ultimately putting up additional
and separate tracks connecting other towns in all directions in a phased manner. The commuter rail routes given below are proposed to be
developed in a way to not restrict the natural flood plain of any river. It is recommended that these tracks shall be constructed on piers in
the flood prone areas.

Table 11-7: Commuter Rail Corridors


Sl. No. Route s Propose d A ction
1 S rinagar – Qaz igund A dditiona l tracks
2 S rinagar – Ba ra mulla /U ri A dditiona l tracks
3 S rinagar – Pulwa ma – S hopia n - Kulga m New Track
4 S rinagar – S opore – Handwara – Kupwara New track from S opore to Kupwara

11.8 Dal Ring Transport Service


Dal Lake is home to national and international tourists and residents alike. It is one of the most important tourist attractions and a place to
relax and spend time. Due to traffic congestion and air pollution, the area is currently not as enjoyable and relaxing. Also, the haphazard
parking creates traffic mess around the Dal lake. It is recommended that Dal Lake should have its own Ring Transport Service which is not
only a service that takes people around the lake and stops at demarcated points. It is recommended that this DRTS could be through an
electric tram system or by electric bus or CNG bus which is environmentally sound and also does not create noise pollution. Electric buses if

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provided could be given a charging system at parking locations. The system could be run on PPP arrangement with operations managed by
a public/ semi-public or private enterprise on annual subsidy provided by government.
11.9 Air Traffic
Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir State and also the largest urban settlement of the State. It is one of the preferred tourist
destinations in India. In order to develop Srinagar as a global city, one of the key requirements will be to upgrade its air transport system as
air transport has gained significance with increase in the number of tourists and the flow of foreign investments. Shiekh-ul-Alam International
Airport located 10 km from city centre is the lone airport of Srinagar. Besides being strategically very important, the Srinagar Airport is
among the first twenty airports in India in terms of percentage share of total passenger traffic. It is proposed that Srinagar city needs to be
connected by air to southern and eastern states of India. The airport shall be made open to international aircraft operations under Limited
International Airport Category especially to the Gulf and SAARC countries. This move is expected to boost the economic development of
the State by way of promoting tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, etc. The Master Plan proposes following measures to promote air traffic at
Shiekh-ul-Alam Airport:
i) Up-gradation and modernisation of terminal building reflecting the vernacular architecture to meet the future volume of air
traffic;
ii) Provision of a waiting hall outside terminal building;
iii) Up-gradation to Night Landing System for introduction of night flights and landing during poor visibility in winters;
iv) Face-lifting of main entry gate and provision of more lanes and x-ray machines;
v) Development of a dedicated elevated corridor from Humhama Chowk to inside Airport main gate for hassle free movement of
passengers;
vi) Development of night stay facilities near the Airport.

The expansion of the Airport /Terminal Building as envisaged in the Master Plan of Srinagar Airport prepared by the Airports Authority of India has
been incorporated in the Master Plan Srinagar-2035.

11.10 Inland Water Transport (IWT) System


The River Jhelum has been the historical spine of the city. The remnants of ghats along the Jhelum banks point to the fact the city used to
have an inland water transport system. There is a need to revive the city‘s water transport to supplement its road based transport system. At
the same time, it will be an important attraction for tourists to enjoy the historicity and beauty of this city also leading to awareness amongst

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local inhabitants for keeping the water bodies clean. The famous Mughal gardens, Dal Lake, Hazratbal, NIT, Soura, Khankah etc can be made
accessible by IWT. As such following routes are identified in the master plan for the development of a viable IWT system in Srinagar city:

Table 11-8: Proposed Inland Water Transport


Sl. No. Proposed Water Transport Routes Phasing
1 Raj Bagh to Chhatabal Weir (along Jhelum River)
2 Dalgate to Hazratbal /NIT
Phase-I
3 Dalgate to Soura via Nallah Amir Khan and Khushalsar
4 Dalgate to Hazratbal via Nishat, Shalimar
5 Pampore to Raj Bagh Phase-II
11.11 IPT System (Mini-Bus System/ Shared Taxis)
Intermediate Public Transport—Paratransit—includes services like auto-rickshaws, taxis, carpools, vanpools, subscription buses and
demand-responsive (dial-a-ride) vehicles. In other words, IPT includes all modes which provide a transport service for a price, filling the
gap between public transport and private modes. As per the statistics given in the CMP regarding the travel characteristics, about 80% trips
(excluding walk trips) are performed by IPT modes. Also more than 33% education trips are performed by mini-buses and shared taxis,
auto-rickshaws etc. The basic issues associated with the system include the archaic policy regulations—licensing, route permits—private
operators, safety and regulatory violations, inexistence proper institutional structure, fare policy and incompatible road infrastructure. The
Master Plan proposes that IPT shall continue to complement the mass transport as feeder service. It is also that some of the educational
institutions and government offices located in Lal Chowk need to be phased out to reduce the concentration of trips in the area. As a policy
measure, it is proposed that new educational institutions shall be allowed in the periphery of Srinagar city preferably along arterials and
sub-arterials in areas which are not flood prone and agriculture rich.

11.12 Non-Motorised Transport (NMT)


In million plus cities, more than 75% trips are less than 10 km and average trip length for such cites is less than five km8. Unlike other metro
cities9 in India, the NMT modal share for Srinagar city is about 25%. According to the MoUD Report (2008), ‗walking remains the dominant

8 Economic and Political Review, November, 2013


9 The average modal share of NMT for metro cites in India is 30% (MoUD).

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form of travel in cities with pedestrian share remaining around 24 – 25%.‘ Every public transport trip has a component of walk at its both
ends. Though pedestrians are short distance travellers, they are spread all over the city. As per the CMP, about 22% of the total trips are
walk trips in Srinagar city. Also more than 60% households do not own a vehicle and 2% of the households possess just a bicycle only. Per
capita trip rate including walk is 1.72 and excluding walk, it is 1.35. All these figures point towards a healthy pedestrian traffic which has to
be sustained and given impetus by developing adequate pedestrian infrastructure in terms of FoBs, underpasses, footpaths, pedestrian
signals at intersections etc. Unfortunately, only 15% of our roads has footpaths with 25% of them having it on one side only.

Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users in our cities and as such need sufficient infrastructure for their safe and sound
movement along city roads. As per the Index of Conflict (PV2)10, a number of roads and intersections have been identified where the
pedestrian - vehicular conflict ratios are very high. The highest pedestrian-vehicular conflict ratios are observed at Jahangir Chowk, Karan
Nagar Chowk, SKIMS Chowk, Batamaloo, SMHS Hospital, Pantha Chowk, Dal Gate, JVMC Bemina, Kashmir University Hazratbal, etc. Basics
of pedestrian infrastructure are absent and even street poles stand in the middle of footpaths. The Master Plan emphasizes the adherence to
design codes in the development of pedestrian facilities and the ramps required for persons with disabilities. The roads need to be properly
marked with stop lines, cross-walks, direction arrows and other delineators to streamline pedestrian movement. It is also proposed that
pedestrian cycle be added in traffic signal phase at all signalised locations for at-grade movement of pedestrians instead of forcing them to
use FoBs. Besides, at other critical locations other than intersections, a dedicated pedestrian signal be installed for safe movement of
pedestrians.

Preferred walking distance is 500 metre or less hence persons living within 500 metre distance from an interchange station have the highest
accessibility to it. Beyond 500 metre distance, the commuters will need reliable and cost effective feeder services. According to CMP, about
5200 commuters travel by Auto in Srinagar on a typical day. Though average trip length by Auto is not available, it is assumed that 75% of
such trips will be short trips less than two km in distance. A trip by Auto is not economical and is roughly 10-15 times costlier than a bus
trip. As such, it is proposed to introduce E-Rickshaws (4-6 seats) within city limits as a short trip feeder service. It is emphasized that the
number of E-Rickshaws be initially restricted to 250 and subsequently reviewed as per the demand. Besides, their operations shall be
restricted to local streets or access roads only or to the nearest bus stop as provided in this master plan.

10 It is measured by the product of peak hour pedestrian volume (P) crossing the road and square of peak hour vehicular traffic (V)

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As per CMP, average walking trip length is 1.2km or less hence persons living within 1.2km distance from an interchange station have the
highest accessibility to it. Beyond 1.2km distance, the commuters will need reliable and cost effective feeder services or cycling
infrastructure to fill in the gap.

Bicycle could be an important mode of travel, particularly with reference to short and medium trip lengths. To the extent that it meets
individual or public transport requirements, it is a non-energy consuming and non-polluting mode of transport. However, there are several
issues which have to be kept in view while planning in respect of these modes. With a mixed type of fast moving traffic on the roads, travel
by bicycle and rickshaws is very unsafe. Data has shown that a fraction of commuters use cycles for commuting due to the lack of safe
cycling facilities or cycle-parking facilities.

In view of the above, the following actions should be taken:


i. Prepare a cycling master plan for the city that creates a network of routes integrating all arterial roads, eco-mobility corridors
along nallahs, heritage routes, school precincts as well as other recreational routes.
ii. On all arterial and sub-arterial roads fully segregated cycle/NMT tracks should be provided with provision for safe parking
in park and ride lots. Wherever full ROW is not available, the cycles/ NMT may be allowed to flow in mixed-traffic
condition.
iii. In all areas of the city, the use of cycles as a non-motorised mode of transport should be consciously planned along with
pedestrianisation.
iv. Plan and implement city wide, affordable and accessible cycle sharing / rental schemes to encourage public transit users in
particular and public in general to use cycle as a mode to perform their first and last mile journey as well as to make regular
short trips without using private vehicles.
v. A cycle sharing/ rental system should be planned and implemented by any government public transport agency comprising
of an owner and an operator, where the operator could be a private agency providing necessary services. The extant
guidelines in this regard may be followed.
vi. In case new pedestrian/ NMT networks need to be added in built-up/ developed areas, appropriate incentives may be given.
Detailed cycle sharing system policy and guidelines shall be prepared by concerned local body separately.

Good bicycle infrastructure needs to be provided and a convenient bicycle sharing system should be developed, which will help take
shorter trips off the arterial roads (thereby reducing congestion). Encroachment of bicycle tracks and theft or vandalism of bicycle sharing
infrastructure should be made a cognizable offence under the Municipal Act/MV Act or any other applicable Acts.
1. The bicycle infrastructure needs to be continuous, obstruction free and with clearly demarcated bicycle tracks or lanes with good
signage, road marking, lighting, at least one line of tree shade and more bicycle parking areas. The bicycle infrastructure needs to be

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provided at a higher level with protected edges, to prevent monsoon flooding or encroachments by parked vehicles. Intersections
need to have bicycle queuing arrangement and dedicated bicycle signals for easy cross over. For large junctions, rotaries and for
obstruction by arterials or waterways or railways, special bicycle underpasses, bridges or ramps may be designed/ provided for.

2. Bicycle tracks should be a minimum of 2m wide for single direction and a minimum of 3m wide for both directions. For tracks
having pedal rickshaw movement, a minimum of 2.5m wide for single direction and 4m wide for both directions should be
provided.

3. All streets above 30m right of way need to have dedicated bicycle tracks.

4. The bicycle sharing system should be based on a dense network of stations placed approximately 300-400m apart and having fewer
bicycles per station (10-50) with docks 1.5 times the number of bicycles in each station.

5. The system with smart cycles should be able to communicate with the stations and the control centre to help track them and make
the checking out and checking in of cycles seamless.

6. The cycle sharing system should be accessed by a common mobility card that will help make the system easy to use. The system
should be procured by the government and will be run on long term basis by private operators who will be able to market and
expand the system incrementally.

Walking is the most important and sustainable mode of transport. In Srinagar, about 22% of the commuters of the city use walking as the
only means of travel for short trips, in addition to public transport users. Therefore, the right to walk safely is a non-negotiable condition.
For this, the following steps need to be taken:
i. All roads must provide proper footpaths as per street design regulations and adequate share of walking space within ROW.
ii. All pedestrian facilities should be barrier free for universal access by all persons with reduced mobility including those with hearing
and visual impairments.
iii. All impediments/ encroachments shall be removed from footpaths all over the city to create safe walking environment in all
colonies, office /shopping areas, terminal areas etc. which will encourage more people to walk.
iv. As mentioned in the NMSH Parameters (MOUD, 2011), at least five safe street-level crossing opportunities per kilometre of road
with approximately 250m being maximum spacing between two crossings should be provided. Depending on context, these

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crossings may be signalized and/ or traffic calmed to reduce vehicular speed and increase safety.
v. Pedestrian Signals should be synchronized with the nearest full-traffic signals, for smooth movement of traffic along with safe
pedestrian/ NMT crossing.
vi. Pedestrian oriented vehicle-free spaces throughout Srinagar need to be created. Major work centres, where large number of
pedestrian networks emerge and culminate, should have enhanced facilities for the pedestrians.
vii. New areas should plan for pedestrian zones, plazas, activity spaces based on locations of public transport nodes/ stations,
employment centres, residential communities and local/city level destinations.
viii. Street-level activity and well-watched streets need to be created through mixed-use, avoiding opaque boundary walls, creation of
hawking/vending zones and round-the-clock activities, to ensure a safe environment for pedestrians.
ix. Planning, design, implementation and maintenance of pedestrian routes and facilities needs to be prioritized.
x. As per NMSH parameters, to create active streets for pedestrian security and enjoyment: (1) Primary pedestrian access for buildings
should be from the main street, with location as per shortest walking distance from nearest bus-stop; (2) The main building facade
should face the street, located on the property line without setback or with active use within set back and transparent edge that
contribute to street safety. Commercial frontages should have facades with minimum 50% transparency (untinted) to facilitate visual
surveillance of streets, Compound walls, if present, should be transparent above a height of 100cm. High security government
buildings may apply for exemption.
xi. Vending spaces should be marked in addition and adjacent to the walking path, especially along high pedestrian volume areas to
activate the street and make it safe. Space to be planned for utilities including drinking water kiosks and toilets, so that the walking
space is enhanced but not compromised.

Old City Area


Old city of Srinagar consists of a number of small access roads forming a dense street network. Population densities of the old city is also the
highest in the city. While there are pressures of motorization, the old city‘s charm and architecture demands that it should be dealt with
separately as a zone and served with a high quality public transport service, with an emphasis on walking and cycling, thereby reducing
demand on parking provision. It is therefore recommended that a set of rules governing the transportation inside the old city shall be
framed subsequently, in consultation with the stakeholders. The rules shall be framed in the spirit of promoting walking, cycling, public
transport and reducing parking demand with increase in shared spaces for recreation and transportation use.

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11.13 Multi-modal Integration


It is not possible to provide end-to-end services to all commuters by a single mode. However; the driving force has been to minimize the
need to interchange, and whenever change is inevitable, make it as convenient as possible. The Master Plan, therefore, proposes an
integrated multi-modal transport system consisting of HCBS, BRT, Light Metro, CRS, IWT and IPT System to meet the existing and future
travel demand. Feeder services will be important in order to provide convenient and quick transfer of passengers from one mode of
transport to the other. It is proposed that any distance less than half a kilometer (<0.5 km) is considered a ‗walkable distance‘. People
residing in 0.5 – 1.5 km catchment can reach the first interchange station either by non-motorized mode like cycles, e-rickshaws etc., or by 2-
wheelers, auto-rickshaws etc. Areas outside the 1.5 – 3.0 km catchment area will require regular feeder services of higher order like MPVs,
mini-buses etc. Accordingly, it is recommended that route plans of aforesaid modes be decided accordingly restricting their operations on
corridors earmarked for mass modes like high capacity buses, BRT etc.

Provision of interchange facilities is the most important element of multimodal integration and shall be provided at the interchange of
proposed mass transport systems and feeder services. Integration facilities at stations would depend upon expected station load to ensure
proper system utilization. Besides systemic integration, their integration at operational level is significant to synchronize the timings of mass
transit and feeder services. For efficient modal interchange, walking/waiting time at these stations shall have to be minimized. Introduction
of common ticketing and their availability at convenient places is proposed to be made mandatory to ensure projected patronage of the
system. An integrated passenger information system covering all modes through publication of common route guides, time-table and
information boards at terminals for providing up-to-date information for the system users shall also be an essential feature of public
transport system.

11.14 Parking Plan


While the population of Srinagar for the last decade has been growing at the modest rate of about 2% per annum, the vehicles have been
increasing at around 7-8%. The parking demand is constantly growing with increasing number of vehicles. However, the demand for
parking is directly influenced by pricing, cost-effective and reliable traffic alternatives. As per parking survey conducted by RITES Ltd.
(2012), the parking demand for Central Business District is 5581 ECS requiring around 30 acres of physical space in busy city centre. The off-
street parking lots have limited capacities and do not cater to the ever increasing parking demand which results in parking spill-overs along
main streets. There are eight parking lots within the city centre having parking capacity of approximately 1161 ECS11 against the total peak

11 Source: CMP, Srinagar

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parking accumulation of 1528 ECS with 736 ECS on-street and 792 ECS off-street. The government and semi government office vehicles
which at present are parked on roads will have to be provided with parking facilities within their own premises.

With the phenomenal increase in personalized motor vehicles, one of the major problems being faced today is an acute shortage of parking
space. In the absence of adequate organized parking space and facilities, valuable road space is being used for vehicular parking. The
problem of parking in the city can be broadly divided into the following categories:
i) Along streets
ii) In commercial centres.
iii) In residential colonies.
iv) In the large institutional complexes.

Experience has shown that:


(a) The provisions relating to parking within the plot area are normally not adhered to resulting in vehicles spilling over on to the
roads and adding to congestion; and
(b) The lack of enforcement and inadequate policy interventions has resulted in growth of parking demand along with growth of
vehicles in the city.

In the above background, the whole subject of parking has become a matter of serious public concern and requires a carefully considered
policy and planned measures to alleviate the problem to the maximum feasible extent in existing areas and for adequate provisioning with
reference to future developments. The approach should be focused more on demand management (restricting vehicle numbers) through
enforcement and pricing policy rather than only on increasing supply of parking.

Parameters for the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH) of 2011 state that parking management strategies should be aimed at
encouraging more efficient use of existing parking facilities, reduce parking demand and shift travel to non-private modes. Individual user
of personal vehicle should pay for the use of the space for parking. Therefore, the ‗user pays‘ principle should govern the pricing of parking.
Parking is a consumer commodity, not a legal right. No subsidized parking is to be provided in public spaces. To ensure accessibility to
maximum number of people, parking for para-transport / feeder modes/ NMT is to be prioritized and subsidized. In areas designated for
public parking, short term parking must be prioritized over long-term parking, in order to maximize turnover and enable economic
vibrancy. The parking policy for the Srinagar aims to deliver the objectives of NMSH, through its vision, policies, following strategies and
standards:

 Private vehicle must be parked on ‗a fully-paid rented or owned‘ space, based on the ‗user pays‘ principle.
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 Parking management must be effectively used as a tool to reduce overall demand for parking space.
 Pricing and enforcement will be key drivers to eliminate or reduce long term on-street parking demand for private vehicles.
 Planning and design of public parking facilities (surface, underground or multi-level) in an area need to provide for all modes and
include creation of pedestrianized areas/ public spaces in the area with necessary amenities.
 Parking is permitted in all use zones except Recreational Open space, which shall not be used or converted for parking. No
environmentally sensitive lands shall be used/ converted for parking of any kind. Surface Parking would only be provided to meet
the parking requirement of the park premise. Creation of underground parking structures within or under green recreational open
spaces is prohibited under all circumstances.
 Parking spaces will be adequately provided on priority basis for IPT, pick and ride and feeder systems especially non-motorized
transport and fully subsidized.

In this background, as a policy measure, the following interventions need to be made:


 The Residency Road from Polo View to Hari Singh High Street be restricted for vehicle movement and the area is proposed to be
developed into a pedestrian precinct/pedestrian plaza;
 The core city within 0.5 km from Jhelum bunds on both sides is envisaged as a “Vehicle-Free-Zone” which shall be developed by
rationalization of bus routes around besides provision of bisectional links etc;
 The Multi-tier parking lots within Lal Chowk area shall have direct access from the Moulana Azad Road as shown in the Plan and there
shall be no vehicular movement along the Residency Road as stated above.

I) Public Parking
Major efforts will have to come through the creation of public facilities in designated commercial/ work centres and other areas and
corridors where significant commercial activity has developed by way of mixed use. In the context of the latter, it would also need to be
linked to pedestrianisation within the identified areas. In the above context following steps would be necessary:
II) Parking Management Districts
Parking Management District (PMD) provide comprehensive facilities for all modes including pedestrians, NMT, cycle tracks, NMT and IPT
parking, vending zones, bus stops, public amenities, etc. in addition to on-street and/or off-street parking for private vehicles. PMDs are to
be planned to improve availability of on-street and off-street parking and promote greater walking, cycling and public transport use. A
PMD provides more net available parking space in an area by increasing parking turnover through good design, management and pricing
strategies. A portion of the revenue generated could be used for local improvement of footpaths, cycle-tracks, and maintenance of facilities
with involvement of the local communities.
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Parking facilities be provided as part of the overall PMD plan incorporating all modes, with a clear cut community benefit strategy. Any
development of multilevel parking facilities shall be strictly as per PMD plan.
SMC/ SDA should develop detailed parking management plans for such districts, with physical design and demarcation of spaces on
ground and strict enforcement. PMDs shall be run and managed by an SPV setup by the SMC which will also manage the public transport
of the city or by Srinagar Metropolitan Transport Corporation. The following strategy should be applied:
i. PMD to be identified which should be not less than 1sqkm in area and preferably having a mix of residential and other land uses.
Total parking capacity of the PMD to be defined based on ground surveys, capacity analysis and Transport Impact Assessment (TIA)
if required.
ii. On-street parking, in a PMD, should be priced at 3-5 times the off-street parking lots. On-street Parking to be priced for every half
hour slots, increasing exponentially as per the formula (2X+10), where X is the charge for the previous hour, up to a maximum of
three hours. Heavy penalties must be levied beyond 3 hours to discourage long term users like shopkeepers and office employees
using on-street parking. Penalty for first one hour beyond the two hour slot could be an additional Rs.100 and beyond that a fine of
more than Rs. 2000 and/or impounding of the vehicle;
iii. Penalties and fines levied on On-street parking shall be 10 times of those levied on Off-street parking lots, within a PMD.
iv. Base parking price could be charged on real-time basis or peak hour/ non-peak hour basis. Peak hour and Non-peak hour should be
separately defined for each PMD, as they may differ in time and duration.
v. All on-street parking lots shall be marked and numbered with its database operated from the central operations control center or
from de-centralized control centers with the data feed shared with central server through hard or cloud based technology.
vi. All PMDs to be managed by used of technology to have real-time data and sharing of information.
vii. PMDs shall be contracted out by the local body to PPP mechanisms, where the entire technology, operations and maintenance is
managed by the private party and is paid a monthly remuneration by the local body computed with incentives and penalties. All
parking charges come to local body and local body distributes it back to the operator. Encroachments and impediments to be
removed to provide more space for pedestrians, NMT, vending zones and public amenities.
viii. Approximately 70% of the total parking space/slots capacity to be kept for short term parking, primarily for shoppers/visitors, not
for long term parking by shopkeepers or office goers.
ix. Parking charges should be levied as per size of vehicle; if two wheelers and auto-rickshaws are charged Rs.‘A‘, cars and LCVs should
be charged Rs.5 x ‘A‘ and Trucks should be charged Rs.10 x ‗A‘. No parking charges should be levied for non-motorized vehicles;
x. ‗Short-Term‘ and ‗Long term‘ parking spaces with the PMD must be identified, demarcated and priced appropriately to reduce

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demand, and be managed by a single agency.


xi. Stringent provisions by way of fines and other penal actions need to be provided for violation of parking rules. Proper signage and
markings must be provided to enable effective enforcement.
xii. A graded parking fee structure should be evolved as a measure of parking demand management, and encouraging use of public
transport.
xiii. In congested areas, ‗park and walk‘/ ‗park and ride‘ facilities may be planned in PMDs. Street improvements must be implemented
in about 10-minute walking catchment of such facilities to make it comfortable and convenient for commuters/ shoppers.
xiv. All existing areas of concentration of business/ commercial activity, where absence of adequate parking and congestion is visible,
should be identified and listed based on studies of vehicle/ modal volumes. Comprehensive area level PMD plan must be prepared
by SMC in consultation with SDA, multi-disciplinary experts and local stakeholders.
xv. Major corridors along which commercial activity has grown over the years by way of mixed land use should be identified and taken
up for redevelopment with a major objective being the identification and development of areas for parking, green development and
pedestrianisation.
xvi. In all new Commercial/ Business/ Industrial centers, adequate parking on the surface as well as below and above the ground must
be provided.
xvii. The development of multilevel parking facilities may be taken up, wherever, feasible in a public private partnership framework,
with private sector investment and involvement.
xviii. Entire stretches of road or areas other than the demarcated/ designated/ managed parking areas, should be declared as ‗no parking
zones‘ in the PMDs. Enforcement agency/ traffic police to be responsible for penalizing, removing or taking action against violators.
xix. Advanced public information systems regarding parking supply availability should be provided through websites, on-ground
display and digital media, to guide people in making travel/ mode choices.
xx. The use of basement wherever provided for parking, must be strictly adhered to.
xxi. Serious consideration should be given to evolve a policy linking registration of new vehicles to availability of owner parking
facilities.
xxii. All encroachments on land earmarked for public parking should be removed.
xxiii. Wherever feasible, space on roofs, under stilts and basements should be exploited to the optimum for parking so as to reserve the
maximum ground space for landscape development, pedestrian movement, etc.

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III) Parking Pricing


The supply of free/ inexpensive parking at the final destination is a key decision factor for people choosing to drive a personal vehicle,
rather than taking a bus, Metro, IPT, NMT, walk or carpool. It is suggested that the following pricing strategies be employed to manage and
bring down public parking space demand:
i) Pricing of parking should be based on principle of ‗user pay‘, reflecting the cost of the public good – precious urban space. Current
parking rates in cities are low and act as a hidden subsidy to the car owners. Parking rates should be freed up and market driven.
Parking revenue should be augmented and utilised to create a dedicated fund for public transport.
ii) No government subsidized parking for private motor vehicles is to be provided in public spaces or roads. High parking fee should
be charged in order to make the use of public transport attractive. Efforts should be made to make cycle parking attractive to
promote use of cycling.
iii) Implement localized variable scale of parking fee based on time, location and use based local demand and congestion levels. As a
thumb-rule – higher the congestion, higher the fee to be levied in the area to reduce parking demand.
iv) Curb Spill over Parking Impact: Spill over parking from high-priced areas should be minimized (through pricing and enforcement)
as it may cause excessive congestion within neighbourhood streets making access difficult for emergency vehicles. Market-rate
parking pricing is to be applied to this entire zone, not just a few streets. The entire area should be implemented as a PMD zone.
v) Actual Parking pricing rates may be taken up by SMC from time to time as per their notifications based on the above suggested
principles.
It is proposed to introduce differential parking charges which shall be based on actual economic cost of parking. The concerned authority should manage
parking through PPP arrangement so that appropriate technology can be deployed and utilized to recover parking charges and to gather data of vehicles,
duration and area of parking. The implementation of public transport upgradation and introduction of differential parking rates, the parking demand is
expected to come down in commercial and business areas. However, under the proposed public transport strategy, the multimodal traffic integration
points or interchange stations will generate parking demand for auto-rickshaws, bicycles which shall be taken care of at each station.

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Table 11-9: Proposed On-Street Parking Base Fee Structure12


Parking Fee (Rs.)
Sl. No Duration
Car 2-Wheeler
1 Up to 30min 10 2
2 31-60min 20 5
3 61-119min 40 10
15
4 120-179min 60

5 180-239min 80 20
And so on…
Example: From above table, total base parking fee for a car which is parked for 2 hours: 10 + 20 + 40 = Rs.70. Total base parking fee for a
two-wheeler which is parked for 3 hours: 2 + 5 +10 + 15 = Rs.32.
IV) Park and Ride
Apart from providing Park and Ride facilities with reference to integration between the Road, HCBS, BRTS and Metro Rail / Rail Transport
systems, such facilities would also need to be provided to reduce the problem of parking on main arterial roads in the context of identified
work and activity centres which may not be directly connected by the MRTS and to encourage use of public transport.
(i) Park & Ride facilities for private vehicles should be provided at peripheral locations abutting Highways and MRTS/BRTS stations
as per requirement, coupled with excellent public transport linkages to the city center and various work centers. Subsequently,
highway entry tolls for private transport should be increased substantially to discourage private vehicle commutes and cross-
subsidize public transport.
(ii) Subsidized park and ride facilities for bicycle users with convenient interchange at all Bus/ MRTS stations are a mandatory
requirement, to promote this sustainable mode of transport.

12
to be linked to actual economic cost of parking and shall vary from one parking place to another. The proposed Parking Fee is the minimum to be
applied to any area. Actual computation of parking fee shall depend on real estate value of the area, size of the vehicle, duration of parking allowed,
parking slab, peak/ non-peak hours and Parking Zone.

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V) Parking Facilities for Buses in Depots


There is an acute shortage of parking facilities for buses in the city. Therefore, the planning for bus depots and terminals capacity and future
requirement needs to be done comprehensively.
i. As per norms of bus parking, adequate bus parking and terminal spaces in the city should be provided in the city.
ii. The selection and allocation of depot lands needs to be planned in sync with the routing of buses, so that dead mileage and other
losses to the transport agency may be minimized.
iii. To ensure optimum utilization of land, multi-level parking for buses is to be prioritized.
iv. As far as possible, all bus depots must function as Terminals as well.
v. Large public parking facilities, underside of flyovers, wide arterial roads and underused areas of the city should be permitted for
use in off-peak hours for parking of public/private buses and commercial vehicles, chargeable at appropriate rates.
vi. Planning and provision of space for private buses, private commercial vehicles, trucks and logistics terminals at the peripheries of
the city, need to be planned at the Zonal Plan level.
VI) Parking for NMT and IPT
Fully subsidized parking facilities for IPT and NMT modes are mandatory at all terminals, stations and bus stops, on all roads of 10m and
above (and not prohibited on any road), near all major public buildings and destinations. In areas where provision of adequate IPT/ NMT
parking is not possible within ROW, setbacks of use premises may be acquired. Parking spaces for differently abled to be provided as per
code.
VII) Parking in Residential Areas
Some measures required to alleviate the problem of parking in residential areas are:
i. Parking of all vehicles of any residential building, group housing, commercial building etc to be provided within the plot area/
building only. Parking outside the plot area (i.e. on the ROW of road, public spaces) will not be permissible and should be penalized.
RWAs/ Local community organizations/ Societies should be encouraged to enforce the same, with the help of police.
ii. Road cross sections may be redesigned wherever possible to accommodate planned car parking along the residential streets, and also
creating more surface movement space.
iii. Paid on-street and off-street parking to be developed for long term and short term parking provisions.
iv. Resident Welfare Associations will have to be called upon to participate in this process by raising contributions from the residents on
the basis of objective criteria such as number of cars owned, etc.
v. Problem of congestion arising on account of the traffic generated by schools have to be specifically addressed, and the main
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responsibility for putting up the required additional facilities has to be borne by the schools themselves.
VIII) Parking Standards for Public Parking
i. Public parking for all modes may also be provided at designated/ demarcated locations at off-street parking locations in form of
surface, underground or multi-level parking. Short term and long term parking should be differentiated and provided based on
local demand and provided as per comprehensively planned Parking Management Districts.
ii. On-street parking may be planned as per Street Design Regulations. Majority of on-street parking spaces should be for hired/
shared IPT and NMT modes. Only short-term parking for private modes may be provided on street.
iii. Off-street parking may be provided as per the following:

1. Bi-Level Parking for Public Buses


Land is scarce and efficient use of land for bus parking is essential. At the same time, in order to reduce dead mileage and making buses
travel to locations outside the city to depots in large plots of land, it is more desirable to provide them parking within developed urban
areas in multi-use multilevel parking facilities with bus-parking in upper-basement and lower ground levels, and parking for smaller
vehicles may be provided in other levels
Within developed urban areas, bi-level parking should be developed as mixed use projects with the following norms:
i. Minimum Plot Size – 10,000 sq.m.
ii. An FAR of 200 is permissible over 50% of plot area. Norms for podium based buildings shall be applicable as per Development
Code.
iii. Operational structures and circulation areas may cover 100% of the plot area and shall not be counted towards FAR. The site must
accommodate at least the required bus parking space on site at the rate of minimum 1 bus per 70 sq. m.
iv. If the bus depot site lies with the TOZ, special norms shall be applicable, which shall be published as TOZ Regulations after
notification of Master Plan.
v. The maximum height shall be as per local constraints like flight paths, heritage zones, etc.
vi. There will be no restriction on the number of levels of basement subject to structural safety, or till minimum 1m above post monsoon
ground water level of the site or safe distance above post monsoon ground water table.
vii. In case of integrated schemes, development controls including height shall be as per approved scheme or as per local restrictions if
any.

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2. Multi-Level Parking for Private Modes


In about any city in the country, none of the parking lots are being used even to half their capacity due to availability of unlimited
subsidized parking on streets/ public spaces in the vicinity of these projects. In other words, low-pricing of on-street parking is leading to
failure of off-street multilevel parking facilities. Therefore, multi-level parking projects should be integrated as part of comprehensive PMD
schemes at designated locations. In order to ensure viability of the projects and optimum use, strict enforcement and appropriate pricing of
on-street parking, is required. Preferably, on-street and off-street parking (including multi-level) should be managed and enforced by a
single agency. All multi-level or exclusive parking facilities for private parking shall also provide at least 10% of total space provision for
IPT modes, NMV and feeder buses, as per local requirement.
Being cardinal business/ commercial area, there is huge parking demand in Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Dalgate, Batwara, Hari Singh High
Street, and Karan Nagar. To curb on-street parking, seven locations are identified for the development of Multilevel parking lots either as
automated or otherwise. These multi-level parking lots will take care of both existing on-street parking and future demand of the core area.
The multilevel parking facilities are proposed near Sheikh Bagh in Lal Chowk (500 ECS), KMD Adda Lal Chowk (400 ECS), Shaheed Gunj
(400 ECS), Badamwari (200 ECS), Press Enclave (300 ECS), Opposite Sara Mall (400 ECS) and Airport (300 ECS).
Detailed regulations and comprehensive parking policy may be worked out subsequently, in consultation with all stakeholders.
For plots for multi-level car parking already earmarked/ designated by local bodies, the existing development control norms will continue,
as follows:
i. Minimum Plot Size – 1000 sqm.
ii. In order to compensate the cost of Multi-level parking and also to fulfil the growing need of parking spaces within urban area, a
maximum of 25% of gross floor area may be utilized as commercial /office space.
iii. In addition to the permissible parking spaces on max. FAR, 3 times additional space for parking component shall be provided.
iv. Maximum FAR permissible shall be 100 (excluding parking area) or as per the comprehensive scheme.
v. Maximum ground coverage shall be 80%.
vi. In case of comprehensive schemes, development controls including height shall be as per approved scheme.
vii. Number of basements - No Limit, subject to adequate safety measures.
viii. For development of Multilevel Parking, models should be worked out to encourage the private sector initiative with restricted
commercial component, not exceeding 10% limited to FAR 40 on the plot.
ix. Specific proposals requiring relaxation in above-mentioned norms for already designated sites would be referred to the Authority.

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To address the parking problem in a holistic way, the Srinagar Metropolitan Area Parking Policy 2011 has divided the city into three major
parking zones.
Zone I (CBD): The CBD which is predominantly a commercial and institutional area has been delineated in the parking policy bound by
Bemina Chowk near Tatoo Ground in the west, Sonwar in the East, Munawar Abad in the north and Rajbagh in the south.

Zone II (Mixed Zone): The zone mostly covers the core city areas which significant commercial and institutional activities mixed with
residential uses.

Zone III (Peripheral Areas): The area comprises predominantly residential areas with upcoming commercial centres.

As per the policy, the movement of personal vehicles shall be discouraged within Zone I. On-street parking shall not be allowed in this zone
and high parking fee shall be levied to discourage parking in the area. Public transport has to be made cost-effective, reliable and
incentivized to lure road users in this zone. Similarly, impetus shall be given to the development of parking facilities through relaxed
FAR/TDRs in Zone II especially towards the periphery of Zone I to promote “Park-and-Ride” or “Park-and-Walk” in the area. Paid on-street
parking can be allowed along certain designated corridors in Zone II. Zone III is also proposed to have parking lots and paid on-street
parking on important roads after proper delineation of such parking areas.

Besides, SMC and SDA shall promote the creation of parking spaces at individual plot level by giving special subsides or schemes and by
linking it with the property tax. Various incentives should be given to the plot owners who build and/or rent parking spaces for public
purpose. The administrative, business and commercial areas are the major attractions of vehicles and generate huge parking demand. It is as
such proposed that provision of parking facility as per the norms given in the Development Code of this master plan within every public
building, public office, institutional area, shopping complex etc shall be made an integral part of building permission. Similarly in case of a
residential building whether detached, semi-detached, group housing or apartments, parking demand shall be worked out by linking it
with the individual plot size.

The master Plan also proposes following four pronged strategy to meet the potential parking demand:
I. Multi-Level Parking
Being cardinal business/ commercial area, there is huge parking demand in Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Dalgate, Batwara, Hari Singh High
Street, and Karan Nagar. To curb on-street parking, seven locations are identified for the development of Multilevel parking lots either as

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automated or otherwise. These multi-level parking lots will take care of both existing on-street parking and future demand of the core
area. The multilevel parking facilities are proposed near Sheikh Bagh in Lal Chowk (500 ECS), KMD Adda Lal Chowk (400 ECS), Shaheed
Gunj (400 ECS), Badamwari (200 ECS), Press Enclave (300 ECS), Opposite Sara Mall (400 ECS) and Airport (300 ECS).

II. Surface/Sub-surface /underground Parking


Besides, multi-level parking lots, a number of surface and sub-basement parking spaces are proposed in different areas of city. These
include the following:
Table 11-10: Proposed Surface and Sub-Surface /Underground Parking Lots
Sl. No Location Capacity in ECS Remarks
1 Pantha Chowk 300
2 Nowgam Railway Station 400 Surface Parking
3 Budgam Railway Station 300
4 Dalgate 200
5 Hazratbal 200
6 Mughal Gardens 400
7 Syed Mansoor 200
8 Rambagh 100
9 Polo view in between MA Road and Residency 300 Sub-surface with green turf on top to be used as a
Road opposite Bank park
10 Batamaloo /Tatoo Ground 500
11 SKIMS Soura 200 Sub-surface parking garages
12 Khanyar 100
13 Nowhatta 200
14 Along proposed western Foreshore Road of Dal 500
and Nigeen Lake at various locations

III. On-street Parking


Unregulated on-street parking is one of the main causes of traffic jams as it significantly reduces the effective c/w widths. As mentioned
earlier, unregulated on-street parking has to be completely banned in Srinagar at the outset along the main arterials and sub-arterials.

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IV. No Parking Roads/Road stretches


The roads/road stretches listed below are proposed to be declared as ‗No-Parking Streets‘:
 Residency Road from Polo View to Jehangir Chowk;
 NH-44 from Pantha Chowk to Parimpora via Lal Chowk along MA Road;
 Nallamar Road;
 Karan Nagar Road from Fire & Emergency Office to Safa Kadal;
 Shaheed Gunj Road upto Karan Nagar Chowk;
 Bemina Road from Tatoo Ground to Bemina Chowk
 NH Bye-pass from Pantha Chowk to Parimpora;
 KZP Road from Dalgate up to Soura; and
 SMS Road from Khanyar up to Hazratbal
 Ali Jan Road from Safa Kadal to Soura

With the improvement of existing parking lots and the construction of other off-street parking facilities, on-street-Parking shall be
completely prohibited within first parking zone as defined above. The parking charges need to be reviewed in terms of economic value of
land, parking duration, parking load, to discourage long duration parking tendencies also by installing automated parking metres. It is
proposed to introduce differential parking charges which shall be based on actual economic cost of parking. The concerned authority should
install parking meters and parking sensors at important parking places.

The implementation of public transport upgradation and introduction of differential parking rates, the parking demand is expected to come
down in commercial and business areas. However, under the proposed public transport strategy, the multimodal traffic integration points
or interchange stations will generate parking demand for TWVs, auto-rickshaws, bicycles which shall be taken care of at each station.

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Table 11-11: Proposed Parking Fee Structure*


Parking Fee (Rs.)
Sl. No Duration
Car 2-Wheeler
1 Upto two hours 20 10
2 Upto three hours 20/hour 10/hour
3 Upto four hours 35/hour 20/hour
4 Upto five hours or more 50/hour 25/hour

*to be linked to actual economic cost of parking and shall vary from one parking place to another.

a. Accidents and Road Safety


Road safety is a public health issue requiring concerted efforts for effective and sustainable prevention. There are more deaths from road
accidents in some developing countries than from communicable diseases and yet road related fatalities are not addressed as a public health
issue. India has the highest number of road deaths globally. According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, traffic road injuries are the
sixth leading cause of deaths in India. As per the latest report on road accident related deaths released by the National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB), 51 accidents claiming 16 lives took place every hour across the country in 2014. The report says a total of 1,41,526 people
were killed and 4,77,731 injured in road accidents last year. The road deaths amounted to 83.7% of fatalities in traffic accidents and increased
by 2.9% in 2014. The J&K is one of the few states in India having lowest incidence of accidental deaths. However, 63% of its accidental deaths higher
than the national average of 36.4% are attributed to road accidents only which are the highest in India.

(As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), road safety is not an accident. Road traffic deaths and injuries are predictable and preventable. While
there are structured programmes to combat communicable diseases with substantial allocation of public funds and lead agencies to implement such
programmes, there is no such well-thought-out strategy to combat road-related morbidity and mortality).

We cannot become a modern automobile State unless our roads are safe and there is no conflict between people and vehicles. It is time to
start developing and implementing programmes to promote road safety using the public health approach. Time has come to have a strong
political commitment to reverse the trend of increasing road-related mortality. The increase in road accidents in the State has led to the need of

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having a State Road Safety Policy in place. The State of Jammu & Kashmir is one of the few states in India to have taken initiative towards having its
own road safety policy13. The policy needs to be finalised at the earliest and shall focus on following key aspects:
 Road safety standards, road safety audits at all stages of road design/ construction and eliminate accident black spots;
 Promote education and campaigns on road safety among all user groups;
 Encourage concerned agencies to effectively implement the traffic laws;
 Provide infrastructure and prescribe safety standards for NMT;
 Set guidelines for capacity building of traffic police and other organisations involved in road safety;
 Provide measures for revisiting relevant laws in a comprehensive manner;
 Set guidelines for establishing trauma care centres across the state

The Master Plan proposes first of its kind the development of a Traffic Rehabilitation and Training Park along N/H Bypass near Nowgam
Railway Station. The facility is proposed to be developed as a low impact development under Parks and gardens use without filling of the
area. However, allied infrastructure like office, layout of roads as per standard geometrics, traffic signals etc can be considered in the
proposed facility. The training park is envisaged to rehabilitate the traffic offenders and learners as a step to reduce road accidents.
Moreover, it is recommended that at the time renewal of driving licence, every applicant shall be required to undergo three days training at
the said facility. As long term policy strategy, it is also recommended to introduce study of basic traffic principles as part of curriculum to
create awareness and sensitivity among children at tender age. The objective is to achieve change in road user behaviour and imbibe an
element of responsibility among them towards traffic laws and rules.

II) Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)


The goal of a traffic impact assessment is to determine potential impacts of traffic changes caused by large proposed developments on city
level transportation infrastructure i.e. capacity of roads and transit systems, and to identify any infrastructure and transit improvements or
mitigation measures needed to ensure that transport networks will operate acceptably and safely upon completion of the proposed
development. Comprehensive policy about Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) should be prepared and placed for approval.
The benefits of Traffic Impact Assessment are:
i. Providing decision makers with a consistent basis on which to assess transportation implications of proposed development
applications.

13 The Draft Road Safety Policy (2016) is presently under review.

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ii. Providing a rational basis on which to evaluate if the type and scale of the development is appropriate for a specific site and what
improvements may be necessary to provide safe and efficient traffic, pedestrian, cycling and transit flow.
iii. Providing a basis for determining existing or future transportation system deficiencies that should be addressed.
iv. Addressing transportation related issues associated with development proposals that may be of concern to neighbouring residents,
businesses and other stakeholders.
v. Providing a basis for negotiations for improvements and funding in conjunction with planning applications.
vi. A traffic impact assessment may vary in scope and complexity depending on the type and size of the proposed development.
a. Institutional Framework
There are various departments whose activities have a bearing on road infrastructure and the management of transport on city roads.
However; policy formulation and implementation of transport planning and infrastructure development seem specifically not assigned to
any department. In the absence of a Srinagar Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, the Transport Department is responsible for the
formulation of public transport policies etc. Traffic enforcement is handicapped by inadequate manpower, equipment and lack of proper
training to traffic police personnel. Normally it is seen that specifications in regard to traffic signs/road markings are not adhered to as
suggested by IRC. Maintenance of these signs/markings is also very dismal. The monitoring, evaluation and co-ordination of projects and
schemes are generally poor. For planning and development of an integrated system, and implementation/enforcement of the policies,
establishment of a single authority has become inevitable. Inter alia, this would help to avoid wasteful expenditure and other problems that
could arise from duplication, overlap and even mutually exclusive or/ and contradictory facilities. Therefore; a single unified Metropolitan
Transport Authority, on the lines recommended by the National Transport Policy Committee and specifically recommended in the Srinagar
Urban Transport Project 1992 and Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2012 needs to be established on priority.

i. Srinagar Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority


Srinagar Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (SUMTA) is needed to ensure co-ordination, co-operation, and continuity in transport
programs and planning interventions. The National Urban Transport Policy has recommended setting up of Unified Urban Transport
Authorities (SUMTA‘s) in million plus cities to facilitate more coordinated planning and implementation of urban transport programs and
projects and integrated management of urban transport systems. Such Metropolitan Transport Authorities would need statutory backing in
order to be meaningful.

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ii. Functions of proposed SUMTA


Initiative for balanced development of urban transport system of any city lies with the city itself. It is believed that the most important
institutional arrangement is at the city level. Therefore, it is important that adequate planning, financial and supervising powers are vested
with the unified city level authority. The authority should be vested with a number of functions ranging from planning to supervision and
coordination, As per CMP, the authority (UMTA) shall have perform following functions:

1. Planning:
 Detailed planning upto DPR stage of major projects
 Develop and implement transport system management measures in coordination with traffic police
 Periodical traffic and travel surveys, data collection, analysis, and maintenance of data bank
 Plan introduction of new modes and extension of existing PT services
 Evolve rational fare policy for all public and IPT modes in consultation with State Transport Department

2. Operational Supervision:
 Monitor performance of different modes of operation (including routes, frequency, interface facilities
 Introduction and monitoring the implementation of new modes, new agencies, area of operation

3. Co-ordination between and in respect of :


 Operation of different modes of passenger transport
 Public/para-transit operators
 Implementation agencies of schemes
 Traffic regulation and traffic planning (TSM)
 Parking planning and control
 Integrated fare policy and sharing earnings
 Road network development
 Laying and repairs in roads and utilities
 Pollution control board and vehicle licensing authorities

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4. Financials:
SUMTA Shall

 Administer ‗Urban Transport Fund‘ and assure financial responsibility on behalf of the city for all matters regarding urban
transport. Finances for various urban transport projects to various implementing agencies may be routed through UMTA
 Arrange for grants/loans from government lending agencies
 Take action to foster private-public partnership in urban transport and act as the nodal agency for the purpose
 Monitor expenditure on projects funded

5. Organizational Set up
The desired institutional set up should be a single level authority with representatives drawn from various departments and
agencies involved. It shall have a chairman who may be the minister concerned. The Executive head shall be the Vice-Chairman who
should be an administrator, specialist or an executive with wide experience in transport systems, physical planning or transport
economics.

An interim structure called Planning, Design and Coordination Cell for Urban Transport (PDCUT) may be formed under the Urban
Development Department which may be dissolved or subsumed under SUMTA when SUMTA is formed. This Cell will provide the
required Technical support to all departments and take up planning and design work on behalf of government agencies. PDCUT
will have a Technical Head who will be responsible for all the core technical functions of the Cell. She/ he will report to the
Chairman of the Cell who will also be the Administrative head. The Divisional Commissioner is proposed to be the Administrative
head. PDCUT will have technical staff hired on contractual basis or deputed reporting to the Technical head. The salaries of all the
staff shall be made by the Urban Development Department or by the parent body from where the staff is deputed. The core functions
of PDCUT will be:

i. To Coordinate between agencies for Urban Transport projects


ii. To take up planning and design work on behalf of government bodies and provide plans, designs, reports, assessments, for
urban transport projects.
iii. To hire consultants for planning and design work when deemed necessary.
iv. To provide policy support to Urban Development Department relating to urban transport and landuse-transport integration.
v. Research | Capacity Building of Government departments.

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vi. To provide technical assistance to government bodies on urban transport projects, such as:
 Providing conceptual framework for transport projects, reviewing the same.
 Attending meetings and providing inputs in meetings.
 Reviewing the work of consultants and providing inputs.
 Reviewing plans/ reports/ ToRs/ RFPs/ tenders, etc. and providing inputs.
All planning and design works proposed by PDCUT will be taken up for implementation by the implementing bodies – SMC, R&B,
SDA, ERA, JKPCC, Traffic Police, etc. All implementing bodies shall also support PDCUT with data, surveys, hiring of consultants,
etc. whenever required.

iii. Srinagar Metropolitan Transport Corporation (SMTC)


The present city bus service in Srinagar is operated by a large number of private minibus or bus operators with permits from RTO. Most of
the operators are single bus operator and they operate under the umbrella of their bus union. This system does not offer a good quality of
bus service. As car ownership will grow in the city, the commuter will abandon the present bus service and shift to his own personal
vehicle. The present institutional structure of Transport Department or State Road Transport Corporation is not geared up to handle city bus
service in a professional and corporate manner. Therefore; it is important that a separate body for the City Bus Service is established which
may be named as Srinagar Metropolitan Transport Corporation (SMTC).

The Corporation shall set standards for its city buses induct modern low floor urban buses on its own and/or it may also invite private
sector to operate buses on different routes. It may also involve existing bus operators under some schemes. The SMTC shall work under the
overall guidance of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA). It could be a Joint Venture company on equity bases and arranging
funds through equity, long term bonds, market borrowings or loans from national or international financial institutes or Banks and / or
raise long term bonds.

The SMTC may be responsible for:


1. Operations and Maintenance of Bus Services including BRTS and MRTS
2. Operations and Maintenance of Feeder Services including mini-bus services, taxi services, etc.
3. Operations and Maintenance of Cycle Sharing System
4. Operations and Maintenance of Parking Management System
5. Operations and Maintenance of any other public transport system

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6. Operations and Maintenance of Bus Depots, Terminals, Bus Parking in the city, Interchange terminals, etc.

The organizational structure of SMTC shall be discussed with stakeholders and carried out subsequently. The organization shall have the
required technical expertise to manage all the above functions and have adequate staff for the same. The organization shall have training,
operations, IT, procurement, HR, technical – planning and design, administration, contracts/ legal, verticals to manage operations and also
enforce contracts in an effective way.
iv. Transport Planning Unit (TPU)
Transport planning is essential ingredient of town planning. The CMP has rightly held that presently there is no proper technical body for
transport planning inputs. It is necessary that technical expertise is created within Town Planning Organization to undertake this task. The
proposed Transport Planning Unit (TPU) will perform the following specific functions:
i) To prepare a strategic plan for long term development and utilization of transport facilities
ii) To formulate schemes for implementing the strategic transport plan
iii) To entrust to appropriate local authorities the work of execution of transport schemes
iv) To coordinate activities of various bodies concerned with transport
v) To define a strategic transport network for the Kashmir Region
vi) To define and prepare a Metropolitan Transport Policy.

The other important responsibilities of Transport Planning Unit will include the establishment of criteria for capital investment and methods
for fixing the priorities for road and transport schemes and feasibility studies. The TPU will also be responsible to prepare definite policies
related to public transport, freight, road safety, environmental protection etc.

The TPU shall be headed by a Senior Transport Planner who will be of the rank of Superintending Engineer under the control of Chief Town
Planner. He shall be assisted by a professional and expert group of planners with specializations in (Transport Planning, Urban Planning,
and Environment Planning etc.), engineers, financial experts, economists and environmentalists.

Conclusion
The most significant aspect in the context of pollution relates to the phenomenal growth in personalized vehicles as compared to the
availability of public transport. So far, public transport is largely seen as the transport mode for the poorer sections of the community who

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cannot afford to own /use personal transport. Public transportation planning must drive the future policy. An important element of policy
should be to make public transport a preferred mode for all users through a mix of incentives and disincentives. Apart from aspects like
frequency, inter-modal integration, a possible single ticketing system, use of parking policy as a means to influence vehicle use, etc., the
quality of public transport, particularly buses, would need to be significantly upgraded keeping the element of clean transport in view. It is
well known that public transport occupies less road space and causes less pollution per passenger-km than personal vehicles. As such,
public transport is a more sustainable form of transport.

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12 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

The quality of life depends upon the availability and accessibility to quality infrastructure. Access to facilities, services and programs can lead to
improved employment opportunities, increased workforce participation and an increased in human capital. Infrastructure involves much
more than the provision of core public services such as schools and hospitals. It includes provision and delivery of facilities and services
necessary for a community to develop like facilities pertaining to health, education, sports, facilities, socio-cultural activities, recreation, etc.
These are generally planned in terms of population norms with stipulated permissibility conditions and development controls. The
assessment of infrastructure for Srinagar Local Area is largely based on URDPFI Guidelines-2015 and examined in particular, the requirement
of service provision in each of these sectors for next two decades to three decades. The current Master Plan has attempted to provide for
reservations of land use through designating it as Public and Semi-public landuses. However; due to lack of data pertaining to the existing
infrastructural services, the present gaps are not identified in all sub-sectors.

12.1 Social Infrastructure


“Social infrastructure is the interdependent mix of facilities, places, spaces, programs, projects, services and networks that maintain and improve the
standard of living and quality of life in a community. It includes both hard and soft infrastructure. It is believed that rural and urban populations
cannot grow without critical supportive infrastructure”.
-------- (SGS Economic and Planning)

12.1.1 Educational Facilities


Srinagar Metropolitan Region being the educational hub of the Kashmir Valley has the presence of national and state level premiere
educational institutes both academic and professional. Increased learning opportunities help people to innovate in thinking, technology,
economy and governance. There is a need to improve the quality of education provided in schools to arrest and reverse the decline in
enrolment in government schools and improve the educational outcomes in both public and private schools. An important contributor to
improvement in the quality of education would be an increase in the percentage of qualified teachers besides quality infrastructure. As per
the Census 2011, the SMR has about 15% [450,000] of its population below six years age which shall be the basis for the provision of
elementary education infrastructure. As per URDPFI Guidelines 2015, SMR requires 1800 Pre-primary/preparatory schools @ one school
per 250 toddlers. These can either be provided separately through ICD programs of Social Welfare Department or in the form of integrated
Primary Schools functional in the private establishments. The SMR, keeping universalization of education under consideration, will have an
additional requirement of 440 Primary schools, 150 Senior Secondary School [class VI to XII @ one school per 7500 population] in a phased
manner to cater the needs of additional population [1.10 million] upto 2035. In addition, the State Government should establish five

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additional Special Schools one each in Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Bandipora and Baramulla districts for both differently-abled children.
About eleven additional academic colleges have to be provided by 2035 in Srinagar Metropolitan Region @ of 1 college/1.0 lakh population.
Backlog of three Technical Education Centres of category (B) which shall include one ITI, one Technical Centre and one Coaching Centre are
recommended for the planning period. Besides, three Engineering Colleges, and four Professional Colleges are also proposed to be
established during next 20-25 years within the local area. It is proposed that the locations for such higher order facilities shall be finalized as per the
landuse policy and Development Code of this Master Plan.

Historically, Srinagar has been the seat of learning which dates back to seventh century. Known for its serene environment and picturesque
setting in the lap of Himalayas, Kashmir Valley in general and Srinagar in particular provides huge potentials for developing the city into a
Knowledge Hub which shall include the development of a Cyber city and a Tech-city. In this connection, the master plan envisages that the State
Government should facilitate joint ventures PPP format engaging the local entrepreneurs and the investors from country and abroad.

12.1.2 Health Facilities


Srinagar capital city is strategically located at the centre of Kashmir Valley making it accessible from all districts. The city has many
specialized health facilities used by the local and regional population. The urban healthcare scenario in Srinagar district has seen visible
improvement during last two decades with the creation of multispecialty healthcare services for the whole province. However, there is a
need for robust health infrastructure in the local area as it serves whole valley in terms of higher order social services especially healthcare.
Except for Srinagar city, the standard of healthcare facilities is comparatively very poor in other cities and towns which increases the
possibility of referral system from district hospitals to tertiary hospitals in Srinagar. Hence, there is need to provide quality and affordable
infrastructure to the growing urban and rural population across all districts and tehsils.

From the above table, it is clear that the average Doctor Patient Ratio in District and Sub-District Hospitals is quite low requiring institutional
reddressal for enhancing the quality of healthcare system. In order to meet the requirements of health related infrastructure and to tackle the
problems of sub-optimum health delivery system, the following broad strategies are proposed:
• Establish easily accessible primary healthcare units in each planning unit as per the standards mentioned in Development Code,
2016 of this master plan.
• Physiotherapy and fitness centers should be established in each planning unit to control diseases related to lifestyle modification.
• Obstetric health units should be evenly distributed throughout the city and should cater to normal deliveries and identify high risk
deliveries for referral to obstetric hospital. Each unit should have in-build state of art neonatology services to cater to the newborn.

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• Dedicated and fully equipped ambulance services must connect basic health units with advanced health units.
• The quality of health services offered in the existing hospitals should be improved in terms of Hygiene and treatment offered.
• It is proposed that four state-of-art trauma units should be established in four directions of the Srinagar City; each unit should be in
proximity to Arterial Roads and services should be available round the clock.
• To promote medical tourism as a thriving economic activity in Srinagar Local Area, Medi-city should be developed in the region.

Table 12-1: Proposed Bed Capacity across different Healthcare Verticals-2035


Table: Proposed Healthcare Infrastrcuture-20351 Proposed Facility (No.) Proposed Beds-2035 Number
Dispensary - - One for 2500 people
Health Sub-Centre 125 250 83 @ 3 beds /unit
Primary Health Centre 60 300 60 @ 5 beds/unit
Community Health Centre 30 600 30 @ 20 beds/unit
Sub-District Hospital 31 1550 08 @ 200 beds/unit
District Hospital 3 1500 03 @ 500 beds/unit
General Hospital 3 2000 03 @ 700 beds/unit
Multi-Specialty Hospital 2 1500 02 @ 750 beds/unit
Trauma Hospital 4 45 03 @ 15 beds/ unit
Total/ Average - 7745 -

In the light of these strategies, the Master Plan envisages a robust healthcare system in the Srinagar Metropolitan Region. There is need to
improve the patient-bed and doctor-patient ratio across all hospitals. Rural healthcare needs huge investments for infrastructure
upgradation so that referrals to tertiary healthcare system are drastically reduced. The Master Plan proposes re-structuring of overall
healthcare infrastructure both horizontally and vertically. As per the data collected form Health Department Kashmir, there are 3015 beds
available in Srinagar city while 346 beds are available in the adjoining areas with a total bed strength of 3361 for a population of 1.90 million
in 20152. Aiming at 25 beds per 10,000 population, the SMR will have total requirement of 7500 beds which implies additional requirement
of 4139 beds over next twenty years. The distribution of beds across various verticals is proposed as above in Table 12-1.

1
Facilities given below are inclusive of existing infrastructure as in 2015
2
Excluding the requirements for regional population generally through referrals.

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The proposed healthcare infrastructure shall include both provision of new facilities and upgradation of existing infrastructure. The number
of tertiary care beds is proposed to be increased to 1500 at SKIMS Soura in a phased manner. In order to reduce daily patient referrals to
tertiary hospitals like SKIMS, it is recommended to improve the quality of healthcare at local and regional levels at a mission mode. There is
unequivocal need for improving the quality and functioning of primary healthcare system in the State. The Department of Health shall come
up with a Healthcare Policy focusing on enhancing efficiency in service delivery across all verticals. Improved doctor-patient ratio and bed-patient
ratio shall be the basic parameter of healthcare system. The Master Plan precisely envisages to upgrade the healthcare infrastructure at PHCs,
CHCs and Sub-District Hospitals as given above. The bed strength at these levels be increased from about 700 beds to 2700 beds during the
horizon period of twenty years. Besides, three 500-bedded District Hospitals one each in Budgam, Ganderbal and Pampore town are also
proposed. Among other proposals include the following:

1. The Sub-district Hospital Magam, Chattergam and Chadoora be upgraded to 200 bedded hospital
2. Gousia Hospital Khanyar to be upgraded to 200 bedded hospital by in-situ upgradation
3. PHC Khrew, Khunmoh, Lal Bazaar, Ompora, Brein, Noorbagh, Batamaloo, Chanapora, Soibough, Narbal, etc to be upgraded to 200
bedded hospital each
Given this scale of infrastructure, the city needs to have a stand-alone central Bio-medical Waste Management System for proper disposal of medical
waste. Besides, a Central Ambulance Workshop and a central Warehousing and Services Centre for which provisions have been made in the
Proposed Landuse Plan-2035 are proposed at Bemina along the NH Bypass.

Summary:
The master plan intends to redeem Srinagar city’s position as “a seat of learning”. The city’s climate, cuisine and its hospitality are major
endowments for attracting investments in health and education sectors. At present, a huge number of our students are pursuing education
in various academic institutions across different states in India. The government should take all possible measures to not only check the
capital outflow from the State but simultaneously work towards attracting capital inflows in these sectors. However, this is not possible
unless Government takes a holistic review of health and education policies to ensure that necessary legal and regulatory framework is put in
place for establishing a world class and par excellent education and health care infrastructure. The Government should engage advisors to
prepare a mix of projects taken up under different PPP formats. The Government should develop a network of technical and professional
institutions under the umbrella organization like the J&K State Technical University. The State needs to have at least one state level University for
Medical and Paramedical Sciences. The Greater Srinagar by 2035 will also need two Medical Colleges, four Nursing and Paramedical
Institutes, three Trauma Hospitals and three Veterinary Institutes for which locations shall be decided on the basis of road hierarchy as per
the landuse policy of this Master Plan. The Kashmir Valley having immense potential for medical tourism, the Master Plan proposes Medi-
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city at Budgam in Planning Zone MHDR_Zone_IV for which an area of 116 hectares has been earmarked. The Medi-city shall be developed on
Public-Private Partnership basis facilitated by the State Health Department. These institutions will have a long lasting impact on local
economy and availability of competitive health and education infrastructure. It is believed that these two sectors will be key drivers of local
economy.
12.2 Leisure and Sports Facilities
Besides, infrastructure for children recreation is completely missing in our city. In these days of psychological and mental strain experienced
by our children on account of multiple factors, development of children recreation is of paramount importance. The Master Plan in this
connection proposes the development of various children parks providing varied means of recreation in all directions of the city. An
Arboretum along with an Adventure Children Park is proposed near Nowgam Railway Station abutting the N/H Bypass. Also, a Theme
Park is proposed along the Western Foreshore Road near Nowpora. In addition, an Amusement Park is proposed along the ORR at Narbal.
These facilities are proposed to be developed on PPP mode with the Government providing technical and financial assistance to the
investors for the preparation of DPRs and capital subsidy as per the State Industrial Policy 2016. In addition, as discussed in subsequent
sections, the master plan envisages construction of Museums, Art Galleries, Aquarium and Science Museum at various places whi ch besides
enriching the cognitive faculties of the children would provide added recreation to them.

With the formulation of Zonal Plans within the ambit of this Master Plan, areas for neighbourhood and cluster level parks should be
identified for the benefit of locals. Besides, the SMC or SDA should identify the blighted areas in core city and through Redevelopment Plan create
public open spaces for outdoor recreation. To increase the green cover, it is proposed that plantation of non-local trees along road medians or
buffers should be discarded at the earliest. Priority should be given to trees having better environmental value in terms of foliage and
growth. The Government should incentivise plantation of trees inside the premises of properties abutting roads. The practice of growing
trees within footpaths should also be banned. It is also proposed that the green belt along the NH Bypass shall be brought under profuse
plantation including Kashmiri Willow and Chinars and a series of connected open spaces be developed along the road. The River Jhelum
being the spine of the city has a series of open spaces on both banks which can be connected and will go a long way in drastically increasing
the public open spaces for recreational activities of citizens.

The Master Plan takes cognizance for the need of promoting avenue plantation along all city roads. In this connection as recommended
above, the government should engage the owners of roadside houses and other structures to grow trees insides their premises along the
wall abutting the road especially in such cases where the roads are devoid of side and central green verges. It is strongly recommended that
the construction of concrete and brick walls along the public buildings/offices shall be totally banned and those having them shall be de-walled for

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creating see-through and a sense of more openness. It shall be started from Lal Chowk and along the NH Bypass Bemina. The practice of constructing
walls between two government buildings shall also be banned and instead be constructed on the Concept of Connecting Lawns .

Table 12-2: Proposed Structure of Recreational Facilities


Sl. No. Planning Unit Number of Organized Green Spaces
1 Housing Cluster 600
2 Neighbourhood 200
3 Community 30
4 District/ Zone 7
5 Sub-city Centre 3
6 Sub city level multipurpose ground 4
7 District level multipurpose ground 6
8 Community level Multipurpose ground 30

Srinagar City has a major deficiency of active spaces for all classes of people with very limited supply of play grounds at city level. As per
the land use analysis very insignificant area is under playfields. The master plan proposes the development of active spaces in each
planning unit as per the standards mentioned in Development Code. Also, to promote more sports activities in the city and upgrading of
sports infrastructure, a Sports Village has been proposed near JKEDI, Sempora, which shall include all indoor and outdoor sports activity
centers for training of local youth and sports enthusiasts. The proposed Sports Village shall also include an International Cricket Stadium for
promotion of sports culture in the state.

12.3 Electricity
J&K is a power starved state despite its huge hydel potentials pegged at 25,000 MW against installed capacity about 1500 MW which is just
6% of its potential capacity. The State has established two Gas turbines at Pampore with a total capacity of 175 MW. The Indus Water Treaty
1960 has put J&K State in a disadvantageous position as the Treaty allows for the run-of-the-river projects which do not infringe the water rights of
neighbouring country. Based on the estimated requirements of power supply as per the National Electricity Policy published in 2005, the
recommended consumption is 2 kW per household which includes domestic, commercial, industrial and other requirements. However, the
actual estimation of power can be made based on the industrial development (type and extent), commercial development, domestic and
other requirements. As per these estimates, the expected power demand of the Valley is going to be 2500 MW by 2035 while that of the

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Srinagar Metropolitan Region is worked out to be 1164 MW.3 Adopting one electric substation of 11KV for a population of 15,000, the SMR
would need 210 substations by 2035 which have to be provided in a phased manner. Though the sector-wise consumption of electricity is
yet to be ascertained; however, it is estimated that the domestic consumption accounts for half of the total consumption followed by defense
(13%) and industries (12%)4. To meet the power supply pressure, besides focusing on the development of mini-hydel power projects, alternative
sources of energy need to be explored in the site and situation to meet the domestic and commercial demand within the region . Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy has come out with a strategic plan for new and renewable energy sector for the period 2011‐17. The Ministry has
identified local bodies as one of the main users who can be encouraged to utilize energy from biomass and urban waste etc. The ULBs shall
establish Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) plants to utilize the non-recyclable waste having high calorific value (1500K/ca/kg or more for
generating energy either through refuse derived fuel or by giving away as feed stock for preparing refuse derived fuel. It is in place to
mention here that high calorific waste shall be used in cement plants.

A National Rating System ‐ GRIHA has been developed, to promote green buildings, which is suitable for all types of buildings in different
climatic zones of the country. A green building designed through solar passive concepts and including active renewable energy systems can
save substantial conventional energy apart from generating energy for meeting various requirements in different seasons. The Government
should focus on Smart Grid System which uses analogue or digital information and communications technology to gather and act on information,
such as information about the behaviour of suppliers and consumers, in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and
sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity. Metering and Smart power generations are the two basic steps taken in the
direction of handling power in cities. The T&D losses have to be reduced significantly to 20% against existing 60%. To ensure safety from
high‐tension power line, reduce disruption and for increasing life, infrastructure lines are to be well designed within the RoW for
infrastructure corridors, by allocating Right of Use as per regulations of each facility.
 Smart meter‐ Smart meters help utilities to better detect and manage outages. Smart meters coupled with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)
helps to pinpoint problems in the grid, allowing determination of faults and failures in no time.
 Smart power generator- Smart power generation is a concept of matching electricity production with demand using multiple generators,
alternatively to buffer the peak and high demand for load balancing. These generators are designed on smart technologies to operate efficiently at
chosen load.

3
It is inclusive of power demand of military establishments also.
4
Source: District Handbook

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As per the proposals received from Power Department, the development of power infrastructure at EHV level in district Srinagar for 12th
and 13th FY plans ending 2021-22 includes construction of two new grid stations and their associated transmission lines with district
Srinagar. The sites suggested below for the construction of the proposed grid stations are tentative and the actual locations would be as per
the load centre and availability of the land and corridor for transmission lines. The brief details are as under:

 Construction of 150 MVA, 132/33 kV Tengpora (GIS) with associated TR line


 Construction of 100 MVA, 132/33 kV Khanyar (GIS) with associated TR line
 Construction of 160 MVA, 220/33 KV Telbal (GIS) with associated TR line
In view of the corridor constraints in Srinagar city, 132 KV underground cables are proposed in certain sections of the 132 KV Bemina-
Budgam Transmission line to be loaded with Tengpora grid station and in the feeding line of the grid station Khanyar to be fed from Habbak
grid station. Besides, Gas Insulated Sub-stations (GIS) have been proposed for the grid stations because of their less land requirement.

The Master Plan also envisages constructing the Utility Corridors initially in CBD [I] and CBD [II] for underground cabling of electricity and
telecommunication lines. Subsequently it shall be followed in Core [I] and Core [II]. Construction of these underground Utility Corridors
will improve city’s image and its urbanscape.

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13 PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SANITTAION

Public Health and Sanitation are some of the most basic needs for human health and survival. These
are also crucial components in freeing people from poverty. Still, 1 out of 10 people do not have
access to an improved source of drinking water and more than a third of the world's population does not
have access to a hygienic means of basic sanitation . Environmental sanitation envisages promotion of
health of the community by providing clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease. It
depends on various factors that include hygiene status of the people, types of resources available,
innovative and appropriate technologies according to the requirement of the community, socio-
economic development of the country, cultural factors related to environmental sanitation,
political commitment, capacity building of the concerned sectors, social factors including
behavioural pattern of the community, legislative measures adopted, and others. As per estimates,
inadequate sanitation costs India almost 6% of the country's GDP. Over 70% of this economic
impact is health-related, with diarrhoea followed by acute lower respiratory infections accounting
for 12% of the health-related impacts. Evidence suggests that all water and sanitation
improvements are cost-beneficial in all developing world sub-regions.

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National Urban Sanitation Policy 2008 was the recent development in


order to rapidly promote sanitation in urban areas of the country.
Ministry of Urban Development, GoI commissioned the survey as part
of its National Urban Sanitation Policy in November 2008. In rural
areas, local government institutions in charge of operating and
maintaining the infrastructure are seen as weak and lack the financial
resources to carry out their functions. In addition, no major city in
India is known to have a continuous water supply and an estimated
72% of Indians still lack access to improved sanitation facilities. A
number of innovative approaches to improve water supply and
sanitation have been tested in India, in particular in the early 2000s.
These include demand-driven approaches in rural water supply since
1999, community-led total sanitation, Total Sanitation Campaign,
Individual Household Latrines (IHHL), School Sanitation and Hygiene
Education (SSHE), Community Sanitary Complex, Anganwadi toilets Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
supported by Rural Sanitary Marts (RSMs), and Production Centers
(PCs), and lately the SBM. The main goal is to eradicate the practice of open defecation in the country by October, 2019.

India’s National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP, 2008) defines sanitation as “safe management of human excreta, including its safe
confinement treatment, disposal and associated hygiene-related practices.” The Census of India 2011 results indicate that nearly 17 million
urban households (more than 20 percent of the total 79 million urban households) suffer from inadequate sanitation. According to the report
of the Central Pollution Control Board (2009), the estimated sewage generation from Class - I Cities and Class - II Towns is 38254.82 million
liters per day (MLD), out of which only 11787.38 MLD (30%) is being treated and the remaining is disposed into the water bodies without
any treatment due to which three-fourths of surface water resources are polluted. The Ministry of Urban Development conducted a rating of
class I cities on sanitation related parameters in 2009-10.

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Table 13-1: Water Supply Benchmarks by MoUD


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According to the Constitution of India, water supply and sanitation is Water Supply Coverage of water supply connections 100%
a State subject and the States are vested with the responsibility for
Per capita supply of water 135 lpcd
planning, implementation of water supply and sanitation projects
Extent of metering of water connections 100%
including O&M and cost recoveryHowever, the Ministry of Urban
Development GoI has adopted service level benchmarks for the water Extent of non-revenue water 20%
and sanitation sector with a view to shift the focus of urban Continuity of water supply 24 hours
development projects from infrastructure creation to improvement of Quality of water supplied 100%
service levels. The 13th Finance Commission has made it mandatory Cost recovery in water supply services 100%
for all cities having municipalities and municipal corporations to Efficiency in redressal of customer complaints 80%
disclose their performance in terms of these benchmarks annually.
Efficiency in collection of water supply-related charges 90%
The benchmarks are given under each head:

The Ministry is committed to mainstreaming these benchmarks through its various schemes. Though a major part of Urban India is yet to be
provided with sewer system and the people are mainly dependent on conventional individual septic tanks. Census 2011 (provisional)
results show 30 million urban households (38 percent of urban households) have septic tanks. USAID (2010) estimates, that by 2017, about
148 million urban people would have septic tanks

Legislative and Regulatory Context

Central Laws, Rules and Regulations [Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
provide a framework for control of effluent, wastewater and septage discharge. The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2016 under the
Environment (Protection) Act apply to the final and safe disposal of post-processed residual faecal sludge and septage to prevent
contamination of ground water, surface water and ambient air. Further, the MSW Rules 2016 will apply to the final and safe disposal of
post-processed residual faecal sludge and septage

13.1 Water Supply


Sectoral demands for water are growing rapidly in India owing mainly to urbanization and it is estimated that by 2025, more than 50% of
the country's population will live in cities and towns. Population increase, rising incomes, and industrial growth are also responsible for this
dramatic shift. Organized piped water supply was introduced in Srinagar city at the beginning of 20 th century. Since then there has been
gradual and steady augmentation, improvement and requisite extensions to cover expanding Srinagar city limits. The PHED Srinagar
framed

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a comprehensive document related to water supply system for the notified area of SDA as per the Master Plan-2021. As per the document,
the entire local area was divided into five water supply zones having their own distinct water supply systems. The document projected the
zone wise requirements for the year 2021, 2023 and 2038 as the horizon year. For the extended areas, it is proposed that four additional w/s
zones be created under the provisions of this master plan. The present w/s systems consist of seven sub-systems as given in Table 13-1 of
Nishat (2 No.), Rangil/Aluesteng, Doodhganga, Pokeribal, Sukhnag and Tangnar having an installed capacity of 90 .925 MGD as in 2015. As per
the projections, the future w/s demand for the local Area of 766 sq. km. has been pegged at 115 MGD for 2035 and 147 MGD by 2045. The
projections are based on Census 2011 data with 135 LPCD and additional 15% as Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

Table 13-2: Existing Zone-wise W/s systems


Water Supply Zone Location of WTP Installed Capacity by No. of water Source of Raw Water
2015 (MGD) Treatment Units
W/s Zone –I Rangil 30.00 02 Sindh Nallah
(Rangil) Alusteng 6.80 02 Sindh Nallah
Pokhribal 4.00 01 Nigeen Lake
Sub-Total - 40.80
W/s Zone-II Nishat 19.00 05 Dal Lake & Sharab
(Nishat) Khul
W/s Zone (III) Doodhganga 10.00 04 Doodhganga Nallah
Doodhganga
W/s Zone –IV (Sukhnag) Parthan 10.00 01 Sukhnag Nallah
W/s Zone-V Padshahibagh (1.12) 11.12 01 River Jhelum
(Tangnar) Sempora (10.00) 01
Total - 90.92

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According to the PHED, against the present installed capacity of 90.925 MGD, the available generation is 68.55 MGD while the demand is
59.00 MGD, which clearly indicates the city is water surplus. Though the city may be water surplus at macro-level however, there are micro-
level distributional issues which require comprehensive replacement and upgradation of network system across city.

Proposals
To meet the future
water supply
requirements of
Srinagar local area
of 766 Sq. Km, four
new water supply
zones having a total
area of 314 Sq. Km
and seven new
WTPs in a phased
manner are
proposed to be
added using the
existing sustainable
water sources from
River Sind, River
Jhelum, Dal Lake,
Doodhganga, and
Sukhnag Nallah.
Since the new areas Source: PHED Kashmir
incorporated in the
Master Plan are
mostly rural in character, they presently receive water supply through local minor w/s schemes with per capita supply 15-40 LPCD. Any
existing infrastructure related to w/s system shall be dovetailed with major w/s schemes for the areas to be executed for enhancing daily
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per capita supply to 135 LPCD meeting URDPFI norms. With the approval of this master plan, zone wise project reports for additional w/s
zones shall be prepared by concerned departments for the extended areas as per the following:

 W/s Zone-VI: Comprising Ganderbal town and surrounding villages of Ganderbal and Lar tehsils notified under this master plan as
local area of SDA. The raw water for this zone can tapped form the sustainable sources of River Singh and river Jhelum besides and
local sustainable if available.
 W/s Zone-VII: Comprising the notified village settlements of tehsil Sonwari and tehsil Pattan with raw water to be exploited from
river Jhelum. A rural w/s scheme Pattan Parihaspora with Jhelum as source which is in execution is proposed to be upgraded to meet
the demand of 5.0 MGD.
 W/s Zone-VIII: The village settlements of tehsil Budgam and tehsil Beeru are proposed to constitute Zone-VIII. The zone can have
perennial water sources from Shaliganag and Sukhnag rivers.

 W/s Zone-IX: The proposed w/s zone shall comprise the extended areas of Chadoora, Pulwama and Pampore tehsils. It is also proposed
that to take up some villages of Chadoora tehsil with Doodhganga as source through a gravity main. For rest of the area in this zone,
river Jhelum can be used as a source with lift station at Samboora and Treatment Plan complex at Chandhara subject to any post detailed
analysis in DPRs.

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Long–term Proposals
Due to increasing urbanisation and depleting water sources, the water shortages are expected to be experienced in forthcoming decades. To
overcome any such shortage, the PHED has put forth the following proposals for their incorporation in this master plan:

a) Raw Water Supply: at present, the Sindh Extension Canal is the backbone of Srinagar water supply. The canal is lined near the Rangil
WTP and the rest of the Canal is unlined. Leakages and excessive irrigation demand in the area is a worrying factor. Presently the
canal is maintained by I&FCD. To meet the present and potential water demand of W/s Zone I and Zone II, the raw water
requirement is pegged at 211.50 cusecs with the Sindh Nallah as source. In this connection, the proposal made by the PHED of
constructing a tunnel for carrying water from the Sindh Nallah will mark a major development in the overall w/s system of Greater
Srinagar. In this direction, some headway has been made as there is a standing proposal with JKPDC to construct a composite joint
tunnel for Ganderbal Power House with Sindh Nallah as source. With its successful completion, the project will provide committed six
cumecs of raw water.
b) To carry leakage and pollution free water from this proposed tunnel outlet to Rangil, it is proposed to lay a closed conduit and extend
it to Nishat WTP besides carrying raw water to all existing and future WTPs en-route.
c) To minimise the use of raw water from Nigeen Lake which is source for 04 MGD Pokhribal WTP, it is proposed to lay a raw water pipe
line from Rangil to WTP Pokhribal with Sindh Nallah as source. Alternative treatment measures to eliminate colour and ordour by
introducing Activated Carbon Treatment Technology is proposed to be adopted at Pokhribal WTP for making use of raw water from
Nigeen Lake as well.
d) The Doodhganga W/s scheme is suffering from pollution and turbidity load that it carries during rains. In this direction, the J&KERA
has already taken up the proposal to change the scheme from lift to gravity by laying raw water pipe line from a higher contour 25 km
ahead of existing lift stations at Kralpora.
Besides, as put forth by PHED, following proposals are made:

 Replacement of outlived 1200mm dia pre-stress trunk main of Rangil system, Saidapore by 1200mm dia D1 pipe line;
 Replacement of worn out and outlived pipe system at most places in Greater Srinagar;
 Shifting of w/s pumping station on Dal bund inside Dal Lake to an offshore location which is presently feeding Nishat WTP;
 Upgradation and Augmentation of water testing labs to ensure quality supply of water to customers;

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 Regular water auditing to reduce the NRW or unaccounted flow of water;


 Universal metering of households to collect water usage charges;
 Introduction of e-billing and establishing citizen facilitation centres;
 Adoption of e-governance measures like e-payments, mobile alerts, etc.
 Computerization and GPS tracking of tankers.
13.2 Sewerage and Septage Management
Srinagar city historically evolved along the banks of river Jhelum. Subsequently, the city
developed around the peripheries of some water bodies like Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Khusalsar,
Brari Numbal etc. Over a period of time, the city increased in size and scale to such an extent
that the domestic waste found its way own nearby water bodies. As of now, Srinagar city as a
whole lacks modern sewerage facilities. Septic tanks are prevalent and those without such Break up of final disposal in Srinagar city, 2015
facility discharge their wastewater into open drains. As per UEED statistics, about 40% area
has been provided with surface drains for the conveyance of household sewage. At present,
most houses in the old city have service privies connecting surface drains which finally drain
into water bodies. The
The State Government has identified septage
Sewerage Master Plan of Srinagar City was prepared by Project Management Consultants in as one of the focus areas under AMRUT
the year 2006-07 under the Multi-Sector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation. The total Scheme for funding and procurement of
area of the city under the Sewerage Master Plan was 417.44 sq. km. In the DPR, combined Suckers/jetters and Alternate Technology
sewerage system is proposed for Srinagar city only in the areas having minimum road width for bio-remediation. This will improve the
level of service both by way of increased
of 2.0 m.
household coverage and efficient treatment
Gap Analysis and Proposals and management of septage.

The gap analysis has been performed on the basis of 2015 population data and the proposed
per capita water supply received from the Public Health Engineering Department, Kashmir.
Considering average water supply @ 135 LPCD including provision for floating population
and water losses and taking 80% as sewage generation, the total sewerage which is expected to be generated will be approximately around

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386.99 MLD by the year 2035. As per the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) prepared by UEED, Srinagar has been divided into four main zones
besides the zones of Budgam and Ganderbal proposed in the master plan.
Table 13-3: Urban Sanitation Benchmark by MoUD
a) Zone I—(134.40 km Trunk, Lateral and Secondary network Coverage of toilets 100%
length) Coverage of sewage network services 100%
This zone covers the areas from Sonawar to Amirakadal, Rajbagh, Collection efficiency of the sewage network 100%
Gogjibagh, Saraibal, Huzuribagh, Rambagh, Solina, Natipora, Bagh-e- Adequacy of sewage treatment capacity 100%
Mehtab, Kralpora, Wanabal, Rangreth, Ompora etc. Quality of sewage treatment 100%
Extent of reuse and recycling of sewage 20%
b) Zone II—(213.0 km Trunk, Lateral and Secondary network length)
Efficiency in redressal of customer complaints 80%
Covers the areas like Karanagar, Shaheed Gunj, Chattabal, Bemina,
Extent of cost recovery in sewage management 100%
Qamarwari, Parimpora Shalteng, HMT, Maloora, Narbal etc. Efficiency in collection of sewage charges 90%
c) Zone III—(257.74 km Trunk, Lateral and Secondary network
length)

Covering the remaining and newly developed areas like Nowpora, Khyam, Bagh-e-Roop Singh, Saida Kadal, Habakadal to Zainakadal, Nowhata,
Soura, Malbagh, Buchpora, Nagalbal, Ganderbal etc. The Zone III has been further sub-divided into following sub-zones—
I. Barai Numbal Sub-zone
II. Nowpora-Saida kadal Sub-zone
III. Noor Bagh Sub-zone
d) Zone IV (70 km Trunk, Lateral and Secondary network length)
This zone covers the areas of Pantha chowk, Zewan, Lasjan, Khunmoh, Athwajan, Khrew, Pampore and surroundings etc.

Table 13-4: Gap Analysis-2015


Sl. No Particular Quantity Physical indicator Gap
1 Existing Population 1.9 million and 5,0000 (floating)
100% network and 185.97 MLD
2 Sewerage Generation 239.75 MLD
household coverage (78%) untreated
3 Sewage Treatment 53.78 MLD

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Out of the four zones, only Zone-III has 70% of its area covered under sewerage network while the rest areas are still uncovered. UEED,
NBCC, LAWWDA and J&K ERA are presently involved in the development of sewerage system in Srinagar city. These agencies execute
various Sewerage Schemes in Srinagar which are listed below:
I. UEED: Various areas in Zone III under two pilot Sewerage Schemes of Brari Numbal and Khushalsar.
Table 13-5: Proposed town-wise Sewerage / Septage Technologies
Recommended Capital
Town/Category Conditions O&M Cost Management
Technologies Cost
Remote land area avoidable Sludge drying beds Municipality or private (if
Low User fees to
with suitable sit and soil and waste Low implemented by private sector
recover O&M costs
condition stabilization pond through a management contract)
Lime stabilization,
Unsewered Class- Low to medium. Municipality or private(if
Land available but close to Sludge drying beds Low to
III, IV and V User fees to recover implemented by private sector
neighbour and waste medium
towns and rural O&M costs. through a management contract)
stabilization pond
communities inadequate land area with
unsuitable site and soil Low to medium.
Low to
condition, but available STP Disposal at STP User fees to recover Municipality
medium
capacity within 20-30 km O&M costs
distance
Lime stabilization,
Land area available with Low to medium. Municipality or private (if
Sludge drying beds Low to
suitable site and soil condition User fees to recover implemented by private sector
and waste medium
but close to settlements O&M costs. through a management contract)
stabilization pond
Partially sewered Medium. User fees Municipality or private (if
Inadequate land area, but
Medium size Disposal at STP Medium to recover O&M implemented by private sector
available STP capacity
(class-II towns) costs. through a management contract
Disposal at
Municipality or private (if
Inadequate land area; no independent High. User fees to
High implemented by private sector
available STP capacity mechanical treatment recover O&M costs.
through a management contract)
facility
Medium. User fees Municipality or private (if
Class-I and
Available STP capacity Disposal at STP Medium to recover O&M implemented by private sector
Metro-cities
costs through a management contract)

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Disposal at
Municipality or private (if
independent High. User fees to
No available STP capacity High implemented by private sector
mechanical treatment recover O&M costs.
through a management contract)
facility
II. NBCC: Other areas of Zone III taken up under JNNURM.
III. LAWWDA: Peripheral areas of Dal Lake (areas along Dalgate – Harwan Road; areas right of Dalgate – Rainawari Road; areas on left and right
of Saida Kadal- Hazratbal Pandach Road) taken up by LAWWDA under conservation plan.
IV. J&KERA: Areas of Zone I and Zone II are proposed to be taken up under ADB funding.

The sewerage network has to be planned in a way to avoid or minimise the number of pumping stations. The rising mains shall be
considered as intermediate pumping stations and designed to carry ultimate peak flow of trunk mains. The STPs should be sited at locations
which will result in minimum travel time for sewage in the trunk
mains and can cover maximum area. The STPs shall be constructed in Table 13-6: Storm Water Drainage Benchmarks
Modular form particularly in modules of 6, 10, 20, 30, and 50 MLD
etc. It is also desired to standardise the units of STPs so as to reduce Coverage of storm water drainage network 100%
the capital cost and spare parts inventory from motors, pipe work,
valves electrical panels etc. Incidence of water logging/flooding 0

13.3 Storm Water Drainage (SWD)


Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED)1, Town Drainage (SMC) and Town Drainage (DULBK) are responsible for the
drainage plan and storm water management of Srinagar local area. The natural drainage of Srinagar is provided by three main rivers viz;
River Jhelum, Doodhganga and Sindh Nallah which are joined by numerous rivulets and canals. River Jhelum forms the main drainage basin.
Despite being a hilly region, the city is located on a flat terrain with most the areas on L/S of Jhelum being low-lying. Because of

1
The mandate of the Urban Environmental Engineering Department is to undertake job of planning, designing and construction of works of sewerage and drainage in urban
areas of the State.

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unprecedented urbanization, these areas face the persistent problems of water logging and stormwater drainage. The master plan asserts to

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work as per the stormwater performance standards effectively with 100% coverage and zero incidence of waterlogging. It is also envisaged
to adopt different types of stormwater management systems to comply with the stormwater performance standard including subsurface,
rooftop and stormwater recycling systems. These systems store and slowly release stormwater to the sewer system (detention) or dispose of
stormwater onsite (retention) through infiltration to soils below, evapotranspiration, and recycling onsite. Accordingly the master plan
proposes following measures—

 Source Controls in urban areas store stormwater onsite and release it at a controlled rate to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff
rates associated with development. By detaining and delaying runoff, source controls reduce peak flow rates and city sewers are
protected from excessive flows. In highly urbanized areas, development professionals must consider source controls on rooftops,
driveways, parking lots, and open spaces. As a result, rooftop and subsurface systems are identified as two categories of stormwater
source controls.
 Greening a site with vegetation, as well as using pervious materials, reduces impervious surfaces. Non-paved areas reduce a site’s
weighted runoff coefficient and calculated developed flow. Both subsurface and rooftop systems can be designed to retain
stormwater by evapotranspiration and infiltration. In particular, rain gardens and vegetated swales are encouraged in the design
and construction of onsite source controls to provide stormwater retention. The addition of vegetation provides other benefits for
property owners and the surrounding neighbourhoods, such as reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, saving
energy, increasing property value and mitigating climate change. Stormwater can also be diverted through the use of systems that
recycle stormwater onsite.
 Rainwater Recycling Systems (also known as Rainwater Harvesting) can reduce demand on the city’s water supply, as runoff is
captured, stored, and repurposed to irrigate planted areas, gardens etc during periods of low rainfall. Rainwater can also be used in
place of potable water for supplying water closets and urinals, cooling tower makeup, washing of sidewalks, streets, or buildings,
and laundry systems. Recycling systems can range from a simple rain barrel connected to a downspout to several large polyurethane
tanks or cisterns connected by a series of pipes. In line with stormwater performance standard, the departments should establish a
“Plumbing Code”.
 Green Infrastructure Plan presents a “green strategy” to reduce CSOs into surrounding waterways by some ratio. Five key
components to reduce the overall costs of CSO improvement strategies are identified as follows:
(1) Construct cost effective grey infrastructure (e.g. sewer improvements, CSO facilities, and WWTP upgrades);
(2) optimize the existing wastewater system through interceptor cleaning and other maintenance measures;
(3) Control runoff through green infrastructure;

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(4) Institute an adaptive management approach to better inform decisions moving forward; and
(5) Engage stakeholders in the development and implementation of these green strategies.
The Drainage Plan prepared by City Drainage Division which was incorporated in the Master Plan Srinagar (1971-1991) was revised from
time to time. As per the Drainage Master Plan of Srinagar City, the entire city is divided into three zones—

Zone- I: This zone includes areas from Pampore to Gawkadal, Dalgate to Nehru Park, Civil line areas, Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar to
Alouchi Bagh and areas across flood spill channel including Ram Bagh, Natipora, Barzulla etc.
Zone- II: The zone includes areas from Amira kadal to Parimpora /Shalteng, including areas of New and Old Sectt. Batamalloo, Bemina,
Nawa kadal, Nawa Bazaar and Safa Kadal etc.
Zone –III: This zone includes areas from Dalgate to Noorbagh on one side and Dalgate to Naseem Bagh and areas around Idgah,
Nowshera, Ali Jan road, Soura, Buchpora etc.

There are about 50 existing drainage schemes having about 119 km of primary and secondary storm water drains. In addition to such
drains, there are tertiary drains and deep drains. List of such existing drainage schemes is given in Table:

Table 12-4: Zone-Wise List of Drainage schemes in Srinagar City


Sl. No Name of drainage scheme Length of drain (m)
1 Storm water drainage zone I: 55262
2 Storm water drainage zone III: 11487
3 Storm water drainage zone III: 51914
Total 118663

Three types of drainage Schemes viz. Lift, Gravity and Lift-cum-gravity schemes exist in the city. Approximately 89 drainage pumping
stations exist in Srinagar City having 69 permanent/temporary dewatering stations and few mobile units which are being utilized during
flash floods in various areas of Srinagar City. Zone wise details of the drainage pumping stations are given in Table 12-5 below:

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Table 12-5: Existing storm water drainage pumping stations in Srinagar City
Area Lift Number of Pumping Stations
Gravity Lift/Gravity Total
Zone I 17 2 4 23
Zone II 14 3 16 33
Zone III 5 13 7 25
S and D-I 2 3 3 8
Total 38 21 30 89

i. Proposals
The Master Plan proposes that the entire SDA Local Area of 766 sq. km. be divided into various drainage zones in conformity with natural
drainage pattern. These drainage zones could be—
- Areas east and west of Dal lake with their storm water flowing into the lake;
- Watershed Nigeen and Anchar (partly) draining into Table 13-6: Solid Waste Management Benchmarks by MoUD
Nigeen and Khushalsar;
Household coverage of solid waste management services 100%
- Watershed of Anchar (partly) draining into Anchar Lake;
- Zainakote and Bemina draining into Rakh-e-Gund Aksha Efficiency of collection of municipal solid waste 100%
and FSC; Extent of segregation of municipal solid waste 100%
- Adjoining areas of river Jhelum on its both banks draining
Extent of municipal solid waste recovered 80%
into it; and so on
Extent of scientific disposal of municipal solid waste 100%
In the development of such drainage zones and provision of a Efficiency in redressal of customer complaints 80%
comprehensive drainage system, priority shall be accorded to
Extent of cost recovery in SWM services 100%
areas draining into natural water bodies. Besides, it is also
recommended to— Efficiency in collection of SWM charges 90%

a) undertake periodical desilting of water bodies, drains etc to increase their carrying capacities;
b) discourage any kind of development in marshy areas and natural drainage basin;
c) stop encroachment of natural water bodies, canals, wetlands, lakes;

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d) Increase the green footprint of surrounding hillocks and Zabarwan hills which will subsequently reduce the natural storm water
discharge
13.4 Solid Waste Management (SWM)
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is the trash or garbage that is discarded on day-to-day bases in a human settlement. According to the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the second most serious problem that city dwellers face (after unemployment) is insufficient solid
waste disposal.

Composition of waste
The composition of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) based
on three different analyses— National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) for the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2004-05, Economic
Reconstruction Agency (ERA) in 2008-09 and one
conducted for Solid Waste Management DPR for Srinagar
by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in 2013 is the
given figure.
MSW Generation
In 1995, average per capita waste generation was 210g for a
city with a population range of 1-5 lakh (NEERI). The
Municipal solid waste study conducted by CPCB for
Source: Solid Waste Management DPR for Srinagar, SMC-2013
Srinagar in 2004 shows that for Srinagar city, it measured
428 g which increased to 550 g in 2010. Using the above data, calculations for MSW for Srinagar local area have been worked out and it was
found that the total waste generated including treated biomedical, construction and demolition etc in 2015 is 914 MT/Day.

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Current Waste Collection CPCB -


S. No Component ERA SMC Average
NEERI
Srinagar Municipal Corporation does sweeping and collection
1 Organic matter 61.77 % 58.5 % 41.19 % 53.82 %
of waste/garbage. There are 520 collection points within
municipal limits with the existing strength of Safai-karamcharies 2 Recyclables 17.76 % 10.3 % 19.54 % 15.87 %
being 60% of the demand. 3 Inert 20.47 31.2 % 39.27 % 30.31 %

Primary Waste Collection It is done by individual workers 4 Moisture 61 % 25.88 % 43 %


going from door to door, collecting waste onto handcarts 5 HCV 1264 kcal/kg 1579 kcal/kg 1421 kcal /kg
before being transferred to bin points where manual sorting
takes place, often on the roadway by rag pickers. Around 60% of the waste is taken to the dumping site on daily basis. The storage of waste at
source is not common and only 30% of households practice storage of domestic waste, resulting in open dumping points across the city.

Intermediate storage
Srinagar city has four functional waste storage depots where
the waste collected from primary sources is stored for
secondary transportation. The process of waste removal from
these depots is mechanised using tipper trucks using front end
loaders.

Transportation of waste
At an average, 350 MT of waste is transported to the dumping
site daily using frontend loaders with tippers and dumper
placers along with containers.

Recommendations:
e) Vehicle routes should be properly planned for proper
utilization of manpower, saving of fuel and reduction of
time as various factors like width of the road, transport

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volume, road conditions, etc. play important role in selection of vehicles.

Waste Treatment
About 350 MT (38% of waste projected waste generated) of solid waste is disposed of at Achan and about 62 MT is collected by rag pickers.
The site was modernized into a scientific landfill site—with two sanitary engineered landfill cells—by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency
with the support of Asian Development Bank. While the first land fill has been capped, the second cell is operational since December 2013 but
due to flood related debris/garbage, its life was reduced and a third cell is being constructed. National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed
SMC to install a 5 MW waste to energy
plant. Table 13-6: Estimation of Total Land Requirements for disposal of Solidwastes
Sl. No Description Data
Recommendations:
1 Population during construction stage of the project 31,20,904
f) Practices mandated by CPHEECO Total Solid Waste (SW) generation at the rate of
2 1398.16 kg/day
SW Manual inter-alia including __ kg/capita/day
sanitary landfill technique, Considering the fraction of bio-
degradable wasteas 45% of total SW generated,
compaction of waste, daily earth 3 629.174 T/day
Totalquantity ofbiodegradable waste to be gen
cover impervious clay liner etc. erated (for composting)
Inorganic waste for disposal (48% of total waste) to
Solid Waste Projections
landfill
4 671 kg/day
The MSW generation numbers have (considering that recyclable waste in form of paper,glass,
metals, plastic etc. constitute 7% of totalwaste)
been projected using projected
Quantity of rejects generated from the compost
population to calculate per capita 5 plant to be disposed to landfill, assuming the 188.75T/day
waste generation, assuming that most rejects as 30% of waste going to compost plant
of the waste generated is in urban 6 Hence total waste to be disposed in landfill at present 860 T/day
areas and only a small fraction comes
from rural areas. Waste generation varies as a function of affluence and those for rural and urban can be significantly different. Based on per
capita waste generation ranges from 0.25 to 0.448 kg per person per day for the entire planning region the solid waste generation is projected
as given below:

Taking the average annual increase of population (@ 4 gm each year) into consideration and assuming the same for solid waste g rowth rate also, the
waste generation in 2035 is expected to be 1723 MT/day inclusive of other wastes like biomedical, construction and demolition etc.
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Solid Waste Management Strategies


A major shortcoming of the existing SWM is the environmental damage caused by the inadequate consolidation facility and needs to be
addressed. The collection system is the critical link that supports the rest of the waste management
chain.

The strategies are:

a) TOWARDS ZERO WASTE


The fundamental approach to managing solid waste is to not produce it in the first place. By
reducing the production at source, it is possible to control solid waste without the need for increased
infrastructure or processing.

b) SOLID WASTE AS A RESOURCE


By managing waste from the point of the production all the way to disposal— recyclable waste like
plastics, metals and organic waste; Combustible waste for energy production and Organic matter for
composting— several types of resources can be recovered from the waste.

c) RECOVER ENERGY FROM WASTE


Energy recovery from waste—concept of converting non-recyclable waste material into heat,
electricity or fuel—can be accomplished by the use of Waste to Energy (WTE) Plant. This is most
commonly done in the form of an incinerator that can burn solid waste and use this energy to
produce electricity but for solid waste containing majority of organic waste this option is not so
feasible

An approach to design sustainable waste management system is outlined below.

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Treatment/Recycling of Waste
Considering the composition of waste generated in Srinagar, composition can be considered

• There is a need for popularization of the product among the farmers and to exploit the manure value of the product.
• NGOs may come forward to promote Waste minimization.
• Waste pickers may be trained so that the segregation of recyclable items can be done in a more systematic and organized way.
Financial Structure
A new tax scheme can be introduced to meet the expenditure for modernization of SWM system and to improve the financial status of SMC.
Additional charges can be collected from the individuals availing house-to-house collection facility as directed under SWM Rules 2016.

Community Participation
Community participation is essential for smooth and efficient operation of SWM system. In every area, citizen forums comprising citizen’s
representatives, social workers and municipal officers shall be formed. Immediate action based on feedback from such forum will go a long
way in improving the situation. Various programs should be conducted for increasing public awareness

Treatment of Waste at Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF)


Integrated Solid Waste Management is a comprehensive waste prevention, collection, recycling, composting, and disposal programme. The
major ISWM activities are waste prevention, recycling and composting, and combustion and as well as disposal in properly designed,
constructed, and managed landfills.

The following is a list of typical facilities in an Integrated Solid Waste management facility:-
• Sorting/material recovery plant
• Anaerobic Digestion (AD/COMPOST PLANT)
• WTE (Waste-To-Energy) Plant
• Engineered Landfill
• Bio medical waste incinerator

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DISASTER MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT

T
he world is facing an increasing frequency and intensity of disasters - natural and man-made - that
has had devastating impacts on the pace of development. According to UN International Strategy on
Disaster Risk Reduction–2013, ―Economic losses from disasters have exceeded $100 billion annually from
2010 to 2012‖ and as per the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), ―the last
ten years have seen 478,100 people killed more than 2.5 billion people affected and about US$ 690 billion in economic
losses globally‖. There has been considerable concern on natural disasters throughout the World. Even as
substantial scientific and material progress is made, the loss of lives and property due to disasters has not
decreased. It was in this backdrop that the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 declared the decade
1990-2000 as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction with the objective to reduce loss of lives
and property and restrict socio-economic damage through concerted international action especially in
developing countries.

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14 DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-hazard region and has a long history of facing disasters. The State has witnessed a number of
earthquakes, floods, forest fires, landslides, avalanches and other smaller events since the early 19th century and has paid heavily in terms of
social, environmental and economic losses. Such events lead to a significant loss of human lives as well as public and private property.
Enhanced vulnerabilities of the built-up environment make the city highly prone to natural hazards. The disaster management dimension
of the Master Plan is based on the disaster management cycle wherein the aim is to facilitate improved disaster mitigation, preparedness,
and infrastructure for response. Within this approach, the Master Plan will focus largely on the mitigation aspects, since they deal with land
use, environment, infrastructure and participatory processes integral to urban planning. Risk mitigation measures focus on the context of
urban Srinagar, and also its environs that have a direct influence on the city and the risks therein. Further, the approach is founded on
principles of community based disaster management and response, since in contexts like Srinagar where capacities often short fall of needs,
the community is the primary resource for ensuring efficient and effective action towards a disaster safe city.

Finally as a principle, the approach of the chapter is to look at Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) along with Climate Change Adaptation (CCA),
as these are linked phenomena and have closely related impacts. The context of climate change brings an additional element of high
variability and low predictability, thus making trend based planning less relevant.

14.1 Disaster Risk Context of Srinagar


Srinagar, being a densely populated and rapidly growing city in the Himalayan region, is exposed to the following risks:
 Ageing buildings and infrastructure:
The buildings and infrastructure particularly in the old town area are very old and pose risk of damage from prevalent hazards, thereby
making the residents vulnerable.
 Densification of core areas:
The increasing density of population in the core areas of the city is putting additional pressure on infrastructure systems. Dysfunctional
infrastructure translates into increased vulnerability and collapse of functionality during disaster situations.
 Rapid growth in peripheral areas:
Rapid growth in the peripheral areas including the new town and peri-urban zone is attracting more population and the built form is
being developed on a much faster rate than that of services being provided. This is creating unplanned growth scenarios in new
locations that will be virtually impossible to correct if not checked immediately.
 Encroachment of water bodies and drainage channels:

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This causes blockage in the natural flow of water and in turn when water level rises people face severe flooding as the water body takes
its original shape and the people staying in the reclaimed area face disaster. Encroachment of water bodies also disrupts the natural
water sources and creates water stresses.
 Increasing seismic stresses, soft soils, and high earthquake risk:
Srinagar falls in a seismic gap zone, where due to centuries of tectonic plate movement stresses have been building up that have not
been released by any major earthquakes or a large number of smaller earthquakes in reliably recorded history. In addition to this, soft
soils of the Jhelum’s alluvial context are devoid of bedrock and make buildings and infrastructure highly prone to liquefaction during an
earthquake.
 Increase in climate change induced hydro-meteorological risks:
Climate change is having clear impacts in the Himalayan region and the consequences include an increase in hydro-meteorological
disasters that is already defying trends.
 Multi-hazard profile:
 Geological hazards (Earthquakes, Landslides, and Avalanches etc.)
 Hydro-Meteorological hazards (Wind storms, floods, flash floods, droughts, hailstorms, cloudbursts, snow, lightening, heat and
cold waves, etc.)
 Industrial (Urban fires, accidents, gas and chemical leakages etc.)
 Biological hazards (epidemics, pest attacks etc.)
 Others (Building collapse, crowd stampede, accidents, terrorist attacks, armed conflict etc.)
 Economic vulnerability:
 The concentration of GDP within the state on critical functions provided by Srinagar makes it a vital economic link for not just
the city’s residents but also for the entire state and region. Effects of a disaster on the city will put the stakes of the entire state at
risk due to this economic dependence, and thus this vulnerability ranks high in the risk assessment of the city.
14.2 Risk Zones in Srinagar
Srinagar can be geographically broadly divided in the following risk zones:
 Old Town
 Old buildings
 Narrow lanes
 Old infrastructure and services
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 High population density


 High percentage of commercial area
 Small plot sizes with negligible open spaces
 Low-lying inundation prone areas
 Flooding situations in rainy seasons from riverine floods as well as local water-logging due to encroached surface water bodies
and drainage channels
 High liquefaction potential in soil and high water table, leading to risk of building and infrastructure damage in earthquakes
 Encroachment on low lying areas leading to blockage of drainage channels and occupation of lakes, creating settlements with
high flood risk
 New Development Areas (including peri-urban areas)
 Influx of population from rural areas and smaller towns
 Development along and beyond the city boundaries not fully compliant with regulations
 Large scale construction of new buildings without adequate infrastructure and safety provisions
14.3 Risk Sensitive Planning
The Master Plan takes a risk sensitive urban planning approach, involves mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management (DRM) within the
spatial planning, governance and operations of public and private spaces, buildings and infrastructure. It incorporates DRM through
recognition of disaster management legislation and policy so that all themes and upcoming plans, programmes and projects are sensitive to
prevailing urban risks and accordingly dictate land use, land management, and infrastructure development. It provides directions for zonal
plans to protect environmentally sensitive areas, reduce vulnerability and disaster risk, mitigate climate change and increase resilience. In
order to be effective, risk-sensitive urban planning and development process should consider multiple steps from data collection to plan
design and its implementation in a time-bound manner.

Towards this purpose, the following planning approach is laid down for different risk zones:
Risk Zones Planning Approach
Old Town - Designation as special zone due to high level of risk and population density
- Inventory and strengthening of buildings
- Rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and services
- Creation of open spaces and widening of critical access routes through land pooling

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Low-lying inundation prone areas - Elevation model based inundation mapping as basis for zonal plans
- Zonal regulations to address flooding, earthquake and liquefaction risks
- Conservation of existing drainage channels and revival of regional critical drainage channels
- Notifying identified critical water bodies as restricted activity zones
New Development Areas - Risk sensitive landuse planning
(including peri-urban) - Open spaces and access to be planned with disaster response actions in mind
- Zonal plans to be based on neighbourhood concept and to follow compatible mixed landuse model
including risk reduction
City Level - Strengthening of lifeline buildings and infrastructure
- Linkage with regional topography
- Revision of building codes and zoning regulations to include learnings from recent disasters
- In-situ redevelopment of slum areas

14.4 Resilience Building Strategies


Towards making Srinagar a resilient city, the following strategies are outlined under the Master Plan:

14.4.1 Built Environment


 Create a building inventory of the city, and keep it updated in real time
 Based on Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) of building stock – especially in old city, flood prone areas, along river edges and lake edges,
and areas with soft soils or high slopes, an approach of assessments and targeted retrofitting is proposed. For this purpose a policy of
building retrofitting needs to be put in place with appropriate incentives and disincentives, including tax, insurance, awareness and
penalty based instruments
 Publicise in simple terms the key aspects of safe construction for new buildings, and maintaining and retrofitting for existing ones
 Strengthen training, certification and monitoring of architects, engineers, construction contractors, and masons for risk sensitive
development
 Identify low income areas with non-engineered buildings, and apply Mandatory Rules of Thumb (MRTs)
 Encourage green buildings with water harvesting, solar-passive design, solar Photo Voltaic (PV) energy, waste management and
landscaping.

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14.4.2 Infrastructure
 Physical Infrastructure: Ensure that the design of housing, roads, airports, electricity network, sewerage, water supply, public and
commercial buildings, and public utilities are assessed for their exposure to disaster risks due to their location, quality of
construction and maintenance. Follow up with risk reduction measures through planning and retrofitting.
 Social Infrastructure: Ensure that the schools, health facilities, and community spaces are assessed for their risk exposure, and
appropriate mitigation and preparedness plans are put in place.
 Economic and Institutional Infrastructure: Banks, financial institutions, administrative establishments and emergency services are
lifelines for the city, and need to be assessed for risk and their safety ensured through planning and retrofitting interventions.

14.4.3 Capacity building for disaster risk reduction:


 Capacity building of urban managers, planners, architects, engineers, construction workers, and communities to be taken up as an
essential step for effective risk reduction. It is based on local capacities that effective technology deployment for preparedness,
forecast and rapid urban response can be made possible. The human as well as technological capacities are thus to be mapped and
put in effect towards this goal.
 Community awareness and engagement in urban management to be a key aspect for ensuring the implementation of this risk
reduction approach in Srinagar. A comprehensive community engagement element is thus integral to the Master Plan approach and
will include risk reduction elements.
 Finally, the inclusion of all the above elements in bye laws, landuse and zoning regulation and codes is an essential requirement for
seeing these plans translate into action on the ground. The techno-legal framework of the Master Plan will thus also deal with disaster
risk reduction appropriately for meeting this purpose.

14.4.4 Hazard specific Action Plans


14.4.4.1 Earthquake:

Earthquakes cannot be prevented however, their impact can be mitigated by taking a slew of measures. The Kashmir Region has been
known for its traditional earthquake safe construction practices since centuries as is evident from the built structures of the Valley especially
in Core city. There are two types of construction practices followed mainly i.e; Taq system (timber laced masonry) and Dhajji-Dewari system
(timber frame with infill walls). Unfortunately in the present context these traditional earthquake resistant construction practices have
been replaced by the use of cement concrete structures. Buildings are being constructed in the city using load bearing wall construction as well

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as RCC methods and are highly vulnerable to earthquakes as they lack both design and structural considerations, and often are constructed
without adequate steps to ensure that modern materials gain their full strength through prescribed processes. Residential houses are mostly
built by local masons without consulting experts. These structures completely lack provision of required risk reduction features including
seismic resistance features. In order to mitigate the future catastrophe caused by earthquakes, following considerations should be strictly
adhered to:

 Building control regulations including permitted setbacks and floor area rations to be strictly designed and enforced
 Arresting further development around low-lying areas, rivers, water bodies, wetlands and marshy lands
 Slope cuttings and construction along hill locks/edges of karewas to be discouraged
 Towards efficient and planned development of the city, Town Planning Schemes to be introduced

 In order to avoid any confusion and panic during disasters, the layout of roads and streets to be kept as simple as possible, and with
back-ups
 Traditional techniques of Dhajji-Dewari and Taq System for house construction to be integrated in planning in order to demonstrate
their advantages over modern techniques with respect to the local conditions.
 Building permissions to be granted as per the Indian Standards and guidelines for hazard safety i.e.; ARE: 1893-1984 'Criteria for
Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures’. Homogeneity in the form and structural design of the buildings to be promoted.
 Architects/Structural Engineers to be hired by SMC/SDA for assisting building permissions and free technical advisory to the
applicants to be provided as majority of applicants cannot afford professional services.
 Addition of green/open spaces especially in residential areas to use them as safe passage/shelter in case of disasters.
 Grouping of houses shall be done such that it minimises the risk due to the collapse of adjacent structures.
 All existing structures especially those falling in low lying areas and flood basin to be given incentives/subsides for retrofitting of their
houses.

14.4.4.2 Floods:

A coordinated policy based on multi-hazard approach is needed to provide organisational and technical guidelines for the incorporation of
disaster risk reduction strategy in spatial planning. Srinagar city has grown haphazardly despite five decades of planning legacy. The

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conversion of green and sponge areas into physical development at a greater pace has led to increased chances of flooding. As a strategy for
long term and sustainable solution, following proposals are envisaged:
 Comprehensive watershed mapping of the Lidder, Veshaw, Brengi, Sandran, Rambaira, Arpath, Rumshi, Veth, Sindh, Arizal, Doodhganga and other
rivers which shall form basis for the watershed based landuse and infrastructure planning of the entire valley floor.
 Make concerted efforts for afforestation, forest regeneration and slope stabilisation for retention of water in upper reaches during rains
and create a time lag to alleviate the scale of flood intensity in the valley floor
 Construction of mini-check dams, reservoirs, ponds, diversional canals, natural levees to mitigate the impact of floods
A supplementary Flood Spill Channel from Dogripora to Wullar, designed for 55,000 Cusecs has been conceived by Department of Irrigation
and Flood Control. Alternative and supporting measures can be taken to mitigate the losses inflicted by floods. Some of these measures are:

 Preservation of natural flood absorption basin from Lethpur to Lasjan on the L/S of River Jhelum. The area often gets inundated during
floods causing heavy losses to the locals. In the interest of city’s safety and a sustainable solution to mitigate the impact of recurrent
floods, the Master Plan envisages the demarcation of Flood Zone from Lelhar to Lasjan on the L/s of River Jhelum on the basis of 25 year
flood plain and notify the area as Protected Natural Flood Absorption Basin to be used as city forest for enriching biodiversity and
promoting tourism in the area. The time flood mitigation measures as proposed by the I&FCD Kashmir nclosed as Annexure C are put in
place, the area can be considered for the development.

 A Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan for the development of an Integrated Satellite Township be prepared for the people residing
within the designated Flood Absorption Basin as an alternative to the construction of a Supplementary Flood Spill Channel form
Dogripora to Wullar. It is held that the construction of Dogripora – Wullar FSC will create an unnatural watershed between rural
settlements besides having various implications on locals as well as the ecology of Wullar wetland. The proposed FSC will also devour
a sizeable portion of prime agriculture land further threatening the food security of the Valley. The proposal of Supplementary FSC can
also consider an alternative proposal for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of people residing in the 25 year flood plain with HFL
upto plinth level that may be prepared for which financial implications may be lesser than construction of a Supplementary Flood Spill
Channel. As a policy measure, the Master Plan proposes no further expansion of these village settlements however, retrofitting by way of
minor repairs can be considered till the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan is implemented.

 Provision of flood protection measures by way of constructing bund road from N/H Bypass near Pohru Chowk up to Mehjoor Nagar
Bridge on the eastern side of Natipora and Mehjoor Nagar.

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 Carrying capacity of the river be increased to 55,000 Cusecs with 25,000 cusecs to be diverted through the Flood Spill Channel (FSC) by
way of dredging and de-siltation process.
 Reviving all major natural water bodies including dredging and desiltation. This process will contribute to an increased carrying
capacity of the respective water bodies/wetlands to hold excess waters. Urban green spaces and wetlands like Rakhi Shallabugh,
Nowgam Willow Forest, Hokersar, Narkura, Anchar Lake can also serve as ground water recharge points and can otherwise be used for
leisure activities as well.
 Revival of water channels for interconnected natural water dynamics in the area. The water channel from Dalgate to Nallah Amir
Khan and onwards to Khushalsar and Anchar needs to be redefined so that the impact of floods on Dal ecology is minimised and the
discharge of the Jhelum is substantially increased. Revival and Channelizing of Nallah Amir Khan would radically increase the
discharge in Jhelum due to suitable grade.
 Periodic dredging of all water channels, Nallahs and rivers from Khanbal to Khadanyar so that carrying capacity is sufficiently
increased.
 Training of upstream natural water channels and maintaining proper riparian buffers for their protection.
 Strict measures for the removal of encroachment of the said water bodies by civic agencies need to be ensured on a fast track basis. To
keep a check on pollution of all these water bodies especially dumping of solid waste and toxic substances.
 Preparation and implementation of a Flood Management Plan including conducting periodic mock drills, regular strengthening of
bunds, sealing of rat holes, relocation of w/s and sewerage pipes from bunds.
o Construction of a Supplementary Discharge Channel to drain out the overflow of Natural Flood Absorption Basin into
Hokersar/Doodhganga reducing the stress at the take-off point of Flood Spill Channel Ram Munshi Bagh.
14.4.4.3 Fire Safety:

Srinagar City being one of the oldest cities in the world has been built using wood as main source of local construction material best suited
to climatic conditions of the region. Over a period of time, the wooden material used for the construction of residential and religious
structures has dried up and the vulnerability to catch fire has increased especially in the Core city such as Zaina Kadal, Habba Kadal, Gaw
Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nowhatta, Khayam, Khanyar, etc where houses are huddled together providing limited access for firefighting during such
calamities.

The planning area shall be demarcated into distinct zones based on fire hazard inherent in the buildings and structures according to
occupancy that shall be called as Fire Zones. The number of Fire Zones in the area shall be decided on the existing layout, types of building construction

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as defined in Part IV (Section 3.3) of the National Building Code 2005, classification of existing buildings based on occupancy as provided in Part IV
(Section 3.1) of the NBC-2005 and expected future development of the city or area. The Fire Zones shall be made use of in the Landuse Plan and
shall be designated as follows:
Fire Zone No. 1 —this shall comprise areas having residential (Group A), educational (Group B), institutional (Group C), and assembly
(Group D), small business (Subdivisions E-1) and retail mercantile (Group F) buildings as classified in the NBC-2005, or areas which
are under development for such occupancies.

Fire Zone No. 2 —this shall comprise business (Sub-divisions E-2 to E-5) and industrial buildings (Sub-division G-1 and G-2), except high
hazard industrial buildings (Sub-division G-3) as classified in the NBC-2005or areas that are under development for such occupancies.

Fire Zone No. 3 —this shall comprise areas having high hazard industrial buildings (Sub-division G-3), storage buildings (Group H)
and buildings for hazardous used (Group J) as classified in the NBC-2005 or areas which are under development for such occupancies.

The design of any building and the type of materials used in its construction are important factors in making the building resistant to a
complete burn-out and in preventing the rapid spread of fire, smoke or fumes, which may otherwise contribute to the loss of lives and
property. For buildings 15 m in height or above non-combustible materials should be used for the construction and the internal walls of
staircase enclosures should be of brick work or reinforced concrete or any other material of construction with minimum of 2h rating. The walls
for the chimney shall be of Type 1 and Type 2 Construction as classified in the NBC-2005 depending on whether the gas temperature is above
200 ◦C or less.

Restrictions on the Type of Construction for New Buildings


1. Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 1 shall conform to Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 classification of construction of NBC-2005.
2. Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 2 shall conform to Type 1, 2 or 3 classification of construction of NBC-2005.
3. Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 3 shall conform to Type 1 or 2 classification of construction of NBC- 2005.

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Table 13-1: Estimation of Total Land Requirements for Disposal of Solidwastes


Sl. No. Category Distribution or Population Served per unit
1 Sub Fire Station/Fire Post Within 3‐4 km radius
2 Fire Station 2 lakh population or 5‐7 km radius
3 Disaster Mitigation and Management Center Airport
4 Disaster Cells North/South/ East/West and Central
5 Fire Training Institute/ College Eidgah Noorbagh

14.5 Linkage with Disaster Management Plans and Provision of Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre
In order to effectively mitigate the devastation caused due to disasters, the Srinagar Master Plan-2035 will be aligned with the provisions
of the state and city level disaster management plans developed by concerned authorities. In order to support this, it also envisages
establishment of an ICT based Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre (DMMC) at proposed site near Sheikh-ul-Aalam International
Airport supported by Disaster Cells in North/South/East/West directions and one in the Core city for real time data dissemination. Most
importantly, the Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre will also be the Cornerstone of the Implementation of the State Disaster
Management Plan and are to be planned in alignment with the plan and under the coordination and supervision of the concerned disaster
management authorities. It will become the nodal point for facilitating and monitoring the process of implementation under the
supervision of the State Disaster Management Authority and should register over time the development of various components of the State
Disaster Management Plan. At any given point of time, it will provide ready information of the progress of implementation, the available
infrastructure, the level of readiness in human resources and capacities and a transparent view of the remaining gaps and deficiencies. For
effective management and quick response during disasters, Srinagar Metropolitan Region has been broadly divided into Five Zones and
each zone supplemented by a Disaster Cell interlinked together and connected to the DMMC at Airport.

14.6 Risk Reduction to be addressed in Zonal Plans


The present plan lays out the risk reduction approach, strategies and intervention areas at the city level. Further details of site specific
disaster risk reduction actions needs to be planned in zonal/site plans. The following directions are laid down for the sub city planning
process to be subsequently taken up:
1. Hazard Risk Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (HRVCA) to be the basis for risk sensitive planning at zonal and site levels

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2. Follow participatory planning approach to capitalise on local knowledge and ensure local ownership
3. Include development of disaster risk reduction infrastructure
4. Zonal development controls, regulations and guidelines bases on local risk profiles
5. Identification of safe locations/evacuation places, routes and emergency infrastructure including emergency operations centres, relief
shelters and prepositioning of emergency equipment and relief supplies
6. Resource inventory to be managed for emergency response
7. Detailing of all risk reduction strategies outlined in the Master Plan to be carried out.

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15 URBAN DESIGN

‘Urban Design’ brings together the issues of planning, engineering and architectural design to create a vision for a city. It primarily involves
the design of buildings, groups of buildings, public spaces including their landscape. It is a complex inter-relationship between different
buildings and the relationship with streets, squares, parks and other spaces that make up the public realm in its actual context. Good urban
design brings people together and will encourage a vibrant mix of self-supporting uses and activities within the city. It will help create a
place which is greater than the sum of individual parts and allow an urban life and culture to evolve out of a collection of buildings and
spaces. It is a sense of civic pride based on social inclusion and interaction, improved safety & access to goods and services for the
community, enhanced heritage and ecological value, increased energy efficiency and reduced waste and pollution.

Urban Design theory deals primarily with the design and management of a public space and the way public places are experienced and
used. Public space includes the totality of spaces used freely on a day-to-day basis by the general public, such as streets, plazas, parks and public
infrastructure. Some aspects of privately owned spaces, such as building facades or domestic gardens, also contribute to public space and are therefore also
considered by urban design theory.

15.1 Urban Design considerations


 Urban structure—How a place is put together and how its parts relate to each other;
 Urban typology, density and sustainability;
 Accessibility – Providing for ease, safety and choice when moving to and through places;
 Legibility and way-finding – Helping people to find their way around and understand how a place works;
 Designing places to stimulate public activity;
 Function and fit – Shaping places to support their varied intended uses.

15.2 Principles of Urban Design


Following are the principles of good urban design:

1. Character—Protect and enhance the buildings, street, materials, landmarks and views that are unique and give the campus/city its
identity. The appearance of the built environment defines an area’s identity and character and creates a sense of place. Many areas of
the city have a well-established character that needs to be protected and enhanced. No site is a blank slate. It will have shape and there
will be adjacent development and a history which make it a distinctive place. This context should be established for each site and

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responded to in order to build something that is recognizable and special to the particular development. High quality contemporary
design that has evolved from its context is encouraged. Places that are distinctive are memorable and popular. A common element
within an area will distinguish it from adjoining areas and create a sense of place.
2. Continuity and Enclosure—Create streets and public spaces that are well connected and enclosed by attractive building frontages.
Every building is just one part of the fabric of a City which is held together by the network of streets and spaces. Well enclosed and
connected spaces allow using and enjoying the city conveniently and in comfort. It will help remove gap sites and inappropriate
developments and severance caused by overly wide roads.
3. A Quality Public Realm—Create high quality public spaces that are attractive, safe, comfortable, well maintained, welcoming and
accessible to everyone. Places which feel good will encourage people to use them and places which are well used stand a better chance
of being well cared for.
4. Ease of Movement— Make the city simple and safe particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. Transport planning should acknowledge
that streets have vital social, economic and amenity roles besides being channels for vehicles. A well designed urban structure will have
a network of streets and spaces that can accommodate these roles as well as the traffic.
5. Legibility—Create a place that both residents and visitors can understand and easily navigate. Streets, buildings, vistas, visual details
and activities should be used to give a strong sense of place and to provide an understanding of destinations and routes. Routes,
landmarks, focal points, views, signage etc make a legible urban environment.
6. Adaptability—Create a design that can adapt to change; e.g buildings may come and go, but the streets last a lifetime. Successful design
accepts change and continually remain vibrant over time. Thoughtful and good urban design is required to achieve this flexibility. New
developments and public realm improvements should be designed both to respect the existing context and to accommodate future
change.
7. Diversity and Sustainability—Urban design based variety and choice. Encourage a mix of uses (institutional, residential, leisure,) and
architectural styles to create vibrant and diverse urban design of a city. It should be supported by a social, economic and
environmentally sustainable concept.

15.3 Improving the Public Realm


Srinagar’s identity is defined by a particular set of physical features like the mountain ranges enclosing the valley and the river Jhelum
meandering through it in a serpentine fashion. The city has essentially grown in an organic fashion and is further defined by an almost
uniform skyline. The Urban Design Framework should focus on the broad scale and the long term goal, and sets an overall planning and

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design context within which more detailed and localised strategies, studies and projects can be coordinated. Sensitive urban design and
development policies should enhance livability and quality of life of the residents in the public as well as private domain. This in turn can
also encourage private sector investment in Srinagar. The shared public spaces must be planned to take advantage of natural topography
and vistas as the design of the built environment fosters a sense of identity. A lot needs to be done to improve Srinagar’s physical
appearance by maximizing the benefits of the existing assets for the visual integration of the city. The basis of Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) is that proper design and effective use of the built environment can reduce the incidence and fear of crime.
This in turn leads to improvements in the quality of life and can be applied without altering the original character of the space. Open space
and plazas shall be designed to be easily accessible and comfortable for as much of the year as possible. Vandalism is an important factor to
be considered in all the design considerations mentioned above.

The future design decisions must be more inclusive in nature and must keep into consideration the ―image of the city‖ as a whole. The
traditional neighbourhood units included housing with either a private or shared open space, near transit, pedestrian-oriented shopping
streets, and densities that gave rise to a lively street life. In Sheher-e-Khas, the mohallas contain a patchwork of building forms and styles
spanning various periods in the city’s history. Urban design has a direct implication on people’s quality of lives. It can increase or reduce
feelings of security, stretch or limit boundaries, promote or reduce mobility, and improve or damage health. Economic and social
inequalities must no come in the way of how people experience the city.

Conservation of heritage, architectural, and culturally significant features should be encouraged to enhance cultural and historical
continuity. The refurbishment and re-use should be compatible with the surroundings. Suitable new uses should be found for heritage
features for a sustainable approach. Zoning should include incentives or requirements for facade features and other exterior architectural
elements that improve the compatibility of structures, including roof structures, with their surroundings while promoting high architectural
quality.

There are many potential urban waterfront areas, which can be developed to strengthen Srinagar’s image as a waterfront city. New
waterfront buildings should be appropriately related to each other and should correspond to the water’s edge. The development of new
and/or enhanced public gathering spaces along each of the city’s waterfronts, as well as parks, plazas and promenades is essential.

Urban design needs to be used to link existing neighbourhoods with new development and redevelopment. It is important for a community
to have an identity, and form a sense-of-place for its residents. New development does not have to mimic existing urban form. However, the

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design characteristics of new development should blend with the aesthetic environment of existing neighborhoods to make both new and
old areas more visually appealing.

Design Standards for this area include that the height of new buildings should be consistent with adjacent rooflines or should not exceed
adjacent rooflines by more than one story.

Buildings should maintain a consistent building wall along the sidewalk.

The design and placement of signage graphics on buildings and along the streetscape should contribute to the character of the community
and influences the public’s perception of a community. The streets/mohallas must be clearly defined along with trails for the identified
heritage walks.

15.4 Streetscape
 It is essential to create a walkable, pedestrian-friendly
environment that invites repeat visits from near and far.
All roads should be made pedestrian, disabled and bicycle
friendly. Removal of encroachments from sidewalks is a
key factor in achieving this. Persons with Disabilities Act
1995 (Sec 44) recommends guidelines for the disabled
persons. There must be provision for introducing cycle
tracks, pedestrian and disabled friendly features in arterial
and sub-arterial roads as detailed in the transportation
chapter. Provision of adequate pedestrian facilities as per
applicable design and engineering guidelines on all streets
is required. Sidewalk and footpath materials must be slip-resistant and easy to maintain (smooth for snow removal and resistant to
buckling and cracking).
 National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2009 recommends guidelines for proper vending zones, as they are service providers on
sidewalks. The Policy recognizes street vendors (or micro-entrepreneurs) as ―an integral and legitimate part of the urban retail trade
and distribution system.‖ Thus, designated zones for such activities must be planned at the zonal level.

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 Trees are an important component of all streets and contribute towards the ―image of the city‖. Trees and planters can be installed at
seating areas, along edges of parking lots, in pedestrian plazas, and in clustered furnishing areas. Street trees species should be selected
so as to create a continuous canopy at maturity. The branching height of mature trees shall be a minimum of 8 feet in height for an
unobstructed footpath or sidewalk.
 Street furniture including benches in areas of high pedestrian traffic and/or areas of interest is very important and the design must take
into consideration the local context in terms of weather resistance and material selection.
 Dustbins and garbage collectors are an important streetscape element and should be conveniently located for pedestrian traffic near
benches, bus stops, and other activity nodes.
 Flyovers inevitably have a major visual impact, generally being unattractive. They must be tackled accordingly keeping the mass and
scale in size by using plantation (climbers), or other ways like art to generate a visual interest as mitigative measures. Public art
encourages pedestrian activity and humanizes the scale of a street. Important nodes can be identified for permanent or temporary art
installations. A successful example of the impact of public art is the mural under the Hyderpora flyover that received an overwhelming
response from the public.
 Quality street lighting helps define a positive urban character and can help create a safer and desirable environment. Street lighting
includes roadway and pedestrian lighting in the public right-of-way.

15.5 Hoardings & Signage


 Advertisements should respect the character or appearance of the locality. In residential areas advertisements must be restricted to
commercial premises, and the minimum amount of advertising should be used.
 Advertisements fixed to buildings should be designed to suit the scale, proportions, period, architectural detailing and use of the
building. They must not harm the character of the building or hamper the architectural features.
 Advertisements will be discouraged wherever they harm the setting of heritage assets. Advertisements on listed buildings must be
designed and attached to the building with particular care. The number of advertisement should be kept to the minimum necessary to
convey essential information.

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16 TRACKING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MASTER PLAN-2035

Master Plan is the only document presenting a holistic vision of a future city. Its policies are broad-based, comprehensive and visionary. It is
a blueprint for the future development of a city. The plan provides a unique platform to discount the interdepartmental dependencies by
creating an opportunity for coordination in overall schedule of development tasks both in space and time. Such an implementation strategy
will minimize threshold costs otherwise accruing to the State exchequer. However, it remains only a paper document if it is not backed by
proper implementation strategy, appropriate legal framework and robust institutional structure. All the three have been quite ineffective
and redundant in the city making its planned development a far distant dream. There is an imminent need for overhauling the system
removing the systemic problems in the planning setup including the legal framework and institutional structures.

Master Plans provide a vision for capital project plans and investments. They provide a vision for the government that should be
supported by realistic planning documents, solid financial policies targeted for the implementation of stated goals and trends on the
government’s accomplishments and progress toward these goals. Such plans forecast the outlook for the government, illustrating the
alignment between demand generators, capital improvement programs and funding policies. In doing so, Master Plans help address the
management factors that are critical in rating analysis and investor communication. Governments should make capital project investment
decisions that are aligned to their long-range Master Plan targets. The list of potential projects for inclusion in the Capital City Investment
Plan (CCIP) comes from a variety of sources, including department requests, plans for facility construction and renovations, long-term
capital replacement programs, citizen requests, neighbourhood plans and projects for which grants/funds are available. These projects
should always be reviewed for consistency with the government’s Master Plan(s). It is important that Master Plans strike a balance between
stakeholder vision and the government’s financial capacity in order to reach the desired goals. This balance can be accomplished by
considering financial implications during the development phase of a Master Plan.

The perusal of Master Plan-19971 and Master Plan-2021 abundantly makes it clear that both have relied on urban policy tools and
institutional framework which has not yielded the desired benefits of urban development. Urban development in Srinagar has rather been
elusive with respect to implementation of the master plans. As a matter of fact, these master plans have turned redundant to address the
city’s issues. Growth of Srinagar city is going to be inescapable; therefore sheer scale of its future development has been taken care of in the
Master Plan. Efforts would be made to transform the Srinagar city into a vibrant city. Therefore, revision has been focused on conceiving a
viable urban policy for master plan with following objectives:
a) effectively manage and enforce city development plans to harness the true benefits of urban development;
b) provisions of major /critical infrastructure by urban development agencies and other players;

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c) ensure regular review of applicability and effectiveness of master plan proposals and policies;
d) improve the financial health of SDA to take its mission of city development to logical conclusion;
f) ensure effective enforcement, implementation, monitoring, governance, participation, decentralization, transparency and accountability.
g) to create enabling rather than controlling environment for urban development with inbuilt mechanism for flexibility in every sphere of
master plan implementation without eluding quality, amenity and standards.

16.1 Financing Urban Land


The first thing needed to implement the master plan is the ‘Land’ which is indisputably scarce and non-renewable. In other words, its
supply is relatively inelastic in urban areas. As such, effective and judicious use of urban land is in the best interest of a community for
which the instrument of Landuse Plan is the starting point. In Srinagar city, judicious use of land cannot be overlooked due to soil
characteristics, ecological sensitivity, disaster vulnerability and food security. It shall be obligatory on local authorities to reassess land
potentials and regulate the land market by discouraging land speculation as most of the land parcels1 in our city are in private ownership
which is viewed as the first stumbling block in the seamless implementation of the Master Plan. Due to such constraints, the city has failed
to achieve the desired goals of planned development. There is no way forward unless land is procured either by way of acquisition or
private negotiation. Land procurement through such means naturally requires huge capital investment which is beyond the fiscal
capabilities of all local authorities. There is a growing consciousness that urban planning should be self-financing with minimum burden on
local authorities or the government. In the following section, a slew of ‘best practices’ as innovative models for self-financing of the master plan
is given.

i. Negotiated Land Acquisition


The Master Plan proposes Negotiated Land Acquisition in place of compulsory land acquisition as an innovation in land acquisition
procedures for speedy urban development. This method of acquisition has recently been implemented by the Greater Noida Industrial
Authority successfully for promoting planned development in Greater Noida. The Authority estimated the compensation package for land
acquisition on the basis of sale price of land registered in the sale deeds during the last three years, Solatium and Interest, and subsequently
negotiated the compensation with the landowners on the basis of these rates. To meet the future requirement, the Master Plan envisages that
SDA shall adopt similar land acquisition process for execution of priority projects to scale up the planned urban development of Srinagar
Metropolis.

1
(though details are not available)
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ii. Land Pooling Technique


Though not yet popular in this part of the country, land pooling is emerging as a long- term strategy to ensure the availability of serviced
urban land for controlled growth. It is increasingly being viewed as a solution to the problems of scattered development, private
unauthorized urban sprawl and heavy backlog in public utility services. Land pooling involves assembling of small landholdings into a
large land parcel, and reconstituting it with provision for infrastructure, amenities and utilities in a planned manner. Thereafter, returning
the reconstituted land to the owners with additional benefits like roads, parks and access to other public utilities and services. The
infrastructure expense is recovered by the sale of some of the serviced land. However, there must be valid legislation to absorb such activity
into the system without procedural hurdles and financial implications like registration charges. The Government also has to enforce
building regulations and provide attractive tax concessions to encourage pooling. In India, land pooling technique has been successfully
implemented in vibrant states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and some other States as well. The Gujarat Town
Planning and Urban Development Act, 1976 is one of the cornerstones in the evolution of land pooling. In our State, it would require
modifying the J&K Town Planning Act, 1963 or the J&K Development Act, 1970 to incorporate necessary provisions to that effect.

In the UDPFI guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Urban Development, Land Pooling has been included as a technique for assembling
land for planning and development. A full-fledged section on Land Pooling Scheme has also been included in the Model Urban and
Regional Planning and Development Law. It envisages that every planning and development authority shall for the purpose of
implementation of the master plan proposals, prepare one or more land pooling schemes for any part of the area within its jurisdiction. It
also provides time frame and procedure for preparation, approval and implementation of Land Pooling Scheme. Therefore, land pooling as
concept is strongly recommended to regulate development especially the residential expansion for which necessary legislative changes
would be required to be made in the existing urban legislation along with the restructuring of organizational set up to avoid overlapping
and jurisdictional problems in the implementation of these schemes.

iii. Land Adjustment/ Sharing Mechanism


Land adjustment mechanism is extensively used for urban extension and has been successfully implemented in Hyderabad for development
of slum areas located on private lands. Under the Hyderabad Slum Improvement Project (HSIP), part of the land was retained by the private
owners while the slum households were assisted to build low cost houses at a higher density on a smaller area of land. Under this
procedure instead of acquiring land for the development, the scheme allows landowners to participate in the development work. The role of
the public agencies is restricted to the development of basic infrastructure and growth centres which act as catalysts for urbanization and
development of the area. The compulsory land acquisition plan for the development of infrastructure and growth centres is formulated in a

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manner so as to acquire not more than one-fourth of the land of an individual owner. The land owners are entrusted with the responsibility
of developing their lands by providing internal infrastructure. These could be connected by the land owners with the peripheral
development of public agencies on payment of development charges. Under this Scheme, land owners are paid monetary compensation for
compulsory acquisition of 25% of their lands; they can choose one among the following compensation packages in lieu of land in excess of
25% of their holdings.

The Land Readjustment (LR) method envisaged to be implemented for improving land supply for urban use and to induce better use of idle
farmlands. The modified form of LR method called Guided Land Development (GLD) enables the introduction of very rudimentary
infrastructure and partial realignment of the old property boundaries and is considered to hold easier and quick implementation potential
as compared to the LR method. But the success of the GLD approach would depend on the efficiency of the SDA. GLD would act as a key
instrument to plan and to pre-empt the haphazard spontaneous growth in new areas.

iv. Private Sector Participation


Since the urban development agencies are unable to meet the requirements of urban growth, therefore; the Master Plan envisages the
standard market economy approach to land development. This is in view of the inability of the State urban development agencies to supply
adequate quantum of serviced land to meet the housing needs of growing population. There is a need to involve the private sector in real
estate and infrastructure development. The private developers need to get the residential layouts approved by the authority within the
purview of this Master Plan. License to develop land should be given to the colonizers by the SDA. This shall be subject to the evaluation of
the title of the land, extent and situation of the land, capacity of the applicant to develop a colony, the layout of the colony etc. Under this
scheme, private developers may be required to furnish the Bank Guarantee equivalent to 25% of the estimated cost of land development
along with an undertaking to carry out and complete the development works within a stipulated time period. In addition, the colonizers
have to pay proportionate development charges if the main lines of roads, drainage, sewerage, water supply and electricity are to be laid out
and constructed by the Government or any other Authority.

The responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of all roads, open spaces, public parks and public health services shall be with the
developer for a period of five years after the date of issue of completion certificate. Thereafter, all such roads, open spaces, public parks and
public health services shall be transferred free of cost to the State Government or the local Authority as the case may be. The proposal also
stipulates that, in addition to physical infrastructure, the colonizer shall provide land for social amenities properly shown in the layout plan.
Finally, the developer can transfer these lands free of cost to the State government or the authority for development through convergence
which can be allotted to any person or institution for the purpose.

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v. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)


In determining the fair price of land to be acquired, Governments generally try to rely on the past records of sale transactions. These are
rarely reported or recorded correctly since transaction taxes are high and the role of black money in the economy is large. Today, Local
Bodies or the State Governments do not have adequate funds to acquire the necessary land even at the recorded low rates. A pragmatic
solution to this problem could be the use of ‘Transfer of Development Rights‘. The Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and
Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, MOUD, Government of India defines the Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) as Development
Right to transfer the potential of a plot designated for a public purpose in a plan, expressed in terms of total permissible built space
calculated on the basis of Floor Space Index or Floor Area Ratio allowable for that plot, for utilization by the owner himself or by way of
transfer by him to someone else from the present location to a specified area in the plan as additional built up space over and above the
permissible limit in lieu of compensation for the surrender of the concerned plot free from all encumbrances to the Planning and
Development Authority. Mumbai is the first city in India, which has adopted the TDR concept in a regulated manner as an alternative
mechanism for land acquisition for providing the essential amenities in accordance with the development plan proposal for slum
redevelopment and urban renewal through reconstruction of dilapidated buildings.

16.2 Financial Plan


The Master Plan has inherent mechanism for raising finances for funding of its development projects. This would require SMRDA to execute
following innovative master plan fiscal instruments for making Srinagar Metropolitan Region as a vibrant and attractive destination for
investments by various financial institutions including public funding.

i. Off-Budget Financial Instruments


 Mopping of unearned value of urban land through change in landuse, Purchasable FAR, Floating FAR and Accommodation
Reservation, TDRs etc;
 Purchasable Green FAR: The Green FAR is applicable as premium on non-developable areas like agriculture and allied, buffers,
plantation zones, parks and multipurpose open spaces and shall be consumable in Group Housing schemes, Commercial, Institutional,
Industrial and Tourism projects as well as Government Offices for plots falling within mixed use areas of designated roads having
existing RoW not less than 20 metres. An FAR of not more than 10% of the plot area in non-developable areas shall be permitted as
Purchasable Green FAR under TDR. It shall be worked out as per the Model for Purchasable FAR given in the URDPFI Guidelines 2014 or as
decided by the Government. The Green FAR can be either used by the owner himself in a Developable Zone or sell to other beneficiary
after prior approval from Town Planning Organisation Kashmir. The maximum purchasable Green FAR shall not be permitted beyond 20% of

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permissible maximum FAR and not exceeding the permissible height by more than one storey or 10.0 feet except for the 500 metre Investment Zone
proposed along the ORR. In case of Investment Zone, the maximum Purchasable Green FAR can be permitted upto 50% of the FAR permissible in
the respective zone; however, the maximum height shall not be permitted beyond two storeys over and above the permissible height. The additional
FAR purchased by the beneficiary however, shall not be permitted beyond permissible maximum ground coverage. The TDR certificate
issued on the bases of Green FAR shall be tradable and shall be deemed as added value on a particular plot/site for its valuation/stamp
duty and cost of compensation to the owner in case of acquisition.

 Landuse change Fee: For opting permissible use as envisaged in the Mixed-use Model and Composite Mixed Landuse Model, Landuse
Fee @ 1/3rd of the increased value which is caused due to change of landuse shall be charged for the non-residential use based on the
valuation cost of the land.
(P2 - P1)/3
Where; P1 is the value of existing landuse and P2 is the value of changed landuse
 Development Cost: For any proposed landuse other than residential (group housing/plotted housing) and industrial landuses,
Development cost @ 2 times the Building Fee shall be charged. The Development cost charged shall be over and above the normal
Building Fee.
 Levy of Betterment charges
 Levying of Internal and External Development Charges
 Creation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) on shared basis
 PPP Ventures and Private Sector involvement in Development Projects
 Remunerative Projects to tap in Seed Capital as Revolving Fund for other development projects
 Recovery of shelter fee or land in lieu of provision of proportionate housing for EWS category and to ensure appropriate provisions for
affordable housing in the city.
 Vacant land Tax needs to be imposed to avoid land speculation and undesired sprawl of the city along with the benefits of efficient
utilization of the city infrastructure and amenities;
 Imposition of the rational Property Tax to strengthen the fiscal base of urban local agencies and make them responsible to the city needs
and for furtherance of the urban development;
 Rationalization of the stamp duty to encourage planned development and availability of land for housing. The stamp duty needs to be
reduced to 5% from existing rate of 7%. Out of 5%, 2% should be transferred to urban local agencies and remaining 3% to state
exchequer. The financial resources generated shall be utilized for the development of city infrastructure;

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ii. Budgetary Allocations


 Creation of a Financial Capital Plan for the SMR instead District Development Plan
 Budgetary allocations under Master plan head in annual budget of the State for the implementation of Master Plan projects
iii. Market Borrowings
In addition, the city can also explore other funding sources for furthering growth in various sectors of development. Some of the options
could be:
 Institutional Finance
 Issuing Public Bonds
 Cess on petrol /diesel as contribution towards City Development Fund

16.3 Legal Framework


In J&K, planning and development of towns is either directly or indirectly governed under the J&K State Town Planning Act-1963, the J&K
Development Act-1970 and the J&K Municipal Corporation/Municipal Act-2000. Besides these Acts, there are other Acts which carry
peripheral reference with respect to matters related to planning and development of towns. Among these Acts mention can be made of the
J&K Control of Building Operations Act-1988, the J&K (Prevention) of Ribbon Development Act. Most of the Planning documents in the
State are notified and implemented under the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Development Act 1970. The acts are not comprehensive
and have remained static and archaic and no significant amendments have been carried out to account for the dynamic in planning and
development. The Town Planning Act is limited in scope with the provisions for the preparation of Town Planning Scheme whereas the
Development Act has the provisions for the preparation of master plan and zonal development plans with archaic concepts of the large-
scale land ownership. J&K Municipal Corporation Act 2000 guides the Municipal Corporation in day to day working with limited
provisions for economic development plans. There is an urgent need for the comprehensive revamping of the legal umbrella for the effective
implementation of the master plan. Efforts are already underway to bring in a new comprehensive Town and Country Planning Act with
the features of regional plan, master plan, town planning scheme based on the model of the states which have created effective urban
planning mechanism for planned development. The Act has to be supported by a dynamic and vibrant institutional structure for Srinagar
Development Authority, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.

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16.4 PHASING AND REVIEW


The Master Plan -2035 is likely to establish a foundation for new programs necessary to achieve its targets. Most of the programs have
varying levels of priority, depending on the criticality involved. Consequently, the city will have to initiate programs periodically at
different levels, individually or in collaboration with various other urban development players and stakeholders. The Master plan shall
provide platform for inter-departmental coordination while executing development projects. It has also been seen that most of the city
administrations after preparation of Master plans go in hibernation and rely on the isolated and remunerative projects, yielding only
financial dividends and in the process sacrifice the long term needs and development requirements of the urban centre. Ironically even the
Zonal Plans which are pre-requisite for the implementation of master plan are not prepared resulting in tardy and flawed implementation
mechanism. Therefore, it shall be made obligatory on the part of local authorities to fast-track the formulation of Zonal Plans immediately
after the approval of Master Plan by State Cabinet. It shall be a time bound exercise to ensure that the planning of city becomes more
effective and responsive to urban needs.

The Master Plan asserts that SMRDA should evolve the mechanism stated above for resource mobilization and implementation of
development proposals. It is envisaged that the Authority shall provide conducive environment for public-private participation and should
develop a mechanism to safeguard the area through effective monitoring of development carried out by private developers. Based on
priority of targets, potential demand and fiscal investment, it is held that the Master Plan Srinagar will have a horizon period of 20 years
from 2015 to 2035. To promote development, it is proposed to prioritize development in such a way that initially those components are
proposed that would induce development in the region and connectivity to all major urban centre’s. It proposes that Phase–I shall comprise
all those components which may act as catalysts and contain multiplying effects for development.

The Master Plan is a guiding policy document exploring scope and direction for accommodation of future development. It shall remain
responsive to necessary amendments and ever-changing financial positions of implementing agencies during the horizon period. As such,
the Master Plan proclaims inherent flexibility through simplification of zoning regulations as spelt out in its Development Code, thereby
rendering it more responsive to necessary adjustments and/or re-adjustments based on physical development and ground realities. It
envisages that Master Plan of Srinagar metro city has not an un-changeable Land Use Plan while piece meal adjustments and/or
readjustments shall remain invariably incessant in the implementation of its proposals. During implementation and enforcement of various
proposals, piecemeal modifications made in the Landuse or in the basic framework of policies of land development should be incorporated
in the Plan and corrections so made be updated at the close of every five-year (maximum) plan period under the provisions of the J&K
Development Act, 1970. It is proposed that a mechanism for monitoring the progress of the Master Plan on annual basis be established on
sound footing at appropriate levels by the State Government. To this effect, it is stressed that a high level Master Plan Implementation
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Review Committee (MPIRC) be constituted to look into the periodic progress of the Master Plan. The committee should review the
progress on periodic basis at least twice a year. It is also proposed that State Government shall establish a vibrant and proactive enforcement
wing with state-of-the- art technology in consultation with concerned line departments to monitor the progress of decisions which are
aligned to the proposals of master plan. Also, separate funding mechanism for implementation of Master Plan projects needs to be
incorporated in the State Annual Budget wherein funding of departmental projects within Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) should
be converged in a way to seek implementation of the projects envisaged in the master plan. It is also recommended that like District
Development Plans, the Government should propose City Development Plan for Srinagar Metropolitan Region.

Projectization and Phasing of Important Master Plan Proposals - 2035


Project Timeline
Sr. No. Activity/Project Identified
2017-2020 2021 - 2025 2026 - 2030 2031 - 2035
A Urban Governance and Public Administration
1 Human Resource Development Department
2 Committee for Economic Affairs for PPP projects under Department of Finance
3 Creation of department of Project Evaluation and Monitoring (Independent)
4 Time Bound Rationalization and Redesignation of staff in all Govt. Departments
5 Review of existing recruitment rules across all departments
6 Development of State Administrative Complex
7 Creation of Srinagar Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority
8 Reorganization of Town Planning Organization, Kashmir
9 Reorganization of Srinagar Development Authority
10 Reorganization of Srinagar Municipal Corporation
11 Reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board
12 Reorganization of Urban Local Bodies
13 Office Establishment of Srinagar Conservation and Heritage Management Authority
14 Creation of Mughal Gardens Conservancy Authority
B Policy and Legislation
15 Framing up of Sectoral Policies
16 Framework and strengthening of Town and country Planning Act
C Urban Mobility and Accessibility
17 Installation of Intelligent Transportation Network in Srinagar City
18 Purchasing of Low Floor Public Transport Buses
19 Development of BRTS Corridor Phase I
20 Development of BRTS Corridor Phase II
21 Development of MRTS Corridor Phase I
22 Development of MRTS Corridor Phase II

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23 Development of Inner Ring Road


24 Development of Intermediate Ring Road
25 Development of Outer Ring Road
26 Development of Cycle Tracks and Pedestrian Footpaths
27 Construction of Foot Over Bridges and Pedestrian Subways
28 Development of Western Foreshore road around Dal Lake
29 Development of Airport Express Corridor - Tengpora - Sheikhbagh
30 Development of Railway - Rajbagh Express Corridor
31 Development of Elevated Corridor Humhama - Airport
32 Construction of Proposed Tunnel at Dalgate
33 Construction of Grade separators along Panta Chowk - Parimpora bypass
34 Development of Traffic Rehabilitation Park - Nowgam
35 Development of Passenger Terminals at Parimpora, Gallandhar, Nowgam
36 Extension of Commuter rail Network to other district towns
37 Development of Off Street Parking places
D Economic and Social Development
38 Development of Dry Port at Budgam
39 Development of Batmaloo City Centre
40 Development of District Centers and Sub-District Centers
41 Food Park and Export Promotion Industrial Park - Khunmo
42 Construction of Residential Apartments at Batmaloo
43 Development of Integrated Township at Bemina - Rakhi Gund Akshah
44 Development of Integrated Township for rehabilitation of Leper Colony Dwellers
45 Development of Integrated Group Housing Townships through TPS
46 Development of Public Park at Govt. Press Lal Chowk
47 Construction of Transit Accommodation at Sempora for Secretariat officials
48 Revival of Silk Factory Solina as Heritage Site
49 Development of Heritage and Cultural University at Silk Factory Solina
50 Restoration of Kalai Hari Parbat and Improvement Plans for important religious Buildings
E Tourism and Heritage Development
51 Development of Craft Centers and Artisan Clusters at Shaheed Gunj and Badamwari
52 Development of International Convention Centre at Leper Colony - Badamwari
53 Development of Art Gallery and Museum - Old Secretariat
54 Development of Old Court Complex as Heritage Hotel
55 Development of Forest Complex Sheikhbagh as Heritage Hotel
56 Development of Circuit House and Church Lane as Heritage Hotels
57 Development of Divisional Commissioner office - Tankipora as Heritage Hotel
58 Development of Aquarium - Lal Mandi
59 Development of Children’ Park Nowgam

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60 Development of Radio Kashmir as High end Heritage Hotel


61 Development of High end Tourist accommodation near JKEDI
62 Development of International Sports Village behind JKEDI
63 Development of Water Park Padshahibagh
64 Ecological Restoration and Revival of Brari Nambal Lagoon
65 Ecological Restoration and Revival of Anchar, Khushal Sar and Dal Lake
F Public Health and Safety
66 Development of Open Green spaces at cluster and Neighbourhood levels
67 Development of Open Green spaces at District and city Levels
68 100% coverage of water supply connections in Srinagar Metropolitan Region
69 Extent of non-revenue water (NRW) @ 20%
70 100% Coverage of Storm Water Drainage network Services in Srinagar Metropolitan Region
71 100% Coverage of Sewage network services in Srinagar Metropolitan Region
72 100% Household level coverage of solid waste management services
73 100% extent of segregation of municipal solid waste
74 100% extent of scientific disposal of municipal solid waste
75 Construction of Utility Corridor in Srinagar Core
76 Development of Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre and allied infrastructure
77 Development of Trauma Hospitals along Highways

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MASTER PLAN SRINAGAR-2035
DEVELOPMENT CODE

******
Master Plan-2035
Development Code

DEVELOPMENT PROMOTION RULES AND REGULATIONS

Zoning Regulations and Building Bye-Laws are the basic tools for implementation and enforcement of a master plan within the frame of the
landuse proposals with the intention of achieving orderly growth and development of a city as envisaged. Zoning regulations help in
controlling density as well as landuse in ensuring standards provided for the future expansion of each zone in an appropriate manner.

Urbanization in the recent past and present context exhibits not only rapid growth, but as importantly the changing face of urban centres. The
planning approach also needs to respond to these transformations to meet the very basic objective of town planning. The fundamental
structure of the cities is now being dominated by ‘Flexibility’. The technological advancements are now making the importance of location
fade day by day. Hence, the strict segregation of land uses is being replaced by flexible and mixed land uses. The quantitative norms are losing
shine to performance standards. It is required that planning rather than imposing interventions shall facilitate the market forces to enable
urban development in a streamlined and cohesive manner. The regulations are formulated in a way providing strong support in attracting
private investments for infrastructure, housing, commercial complexes, industries and IT parks, hotels, malls, and also in developing facilities
like, schools, colleges, hospitals, transport terminals, etc. Some of the higher order activities like shopping malls, multiplexes, colleges, large
hospitals are permitted in most of the zones, provided they are located on major arterials. Thus, mixed uses are permitted considering the
symbiotic dependency, and absence of any detrimental effect to the main use. As the transport corridors play a vital role in enhancing the
development potential of adjacent lands, it is important to permit similar kinds of such uses along major roads, irrespective of land use
boundaries. Intensive use of land along transport corridor justifies the investment made after them and the opportunity made available by
such roads.

The enforcement of zoning regulations will require a detailed landuse of the area. The adoption of these regulations will, therefore, guide to
undertake the necessary physical surveys and also to keep the land record up-to-date so as to enable the effective enforcement of the zoning
regulations. Zoning regulations shall be applicable to the entire planning area and shall be subject to changes warranted under relevant laws.
These shall be governed by a separate set of norms applicable as per the ground situation amenable with the development code of this master
plan.

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1-1 Definitions
For the purpose of these regulations, the words or terms used in this master plan shall have the same meaning as contained in Section 1.2.2
[Definitions] of J&K Municipal Corporation (Building) Bye-Laws, 2011 and Part (I) of National Building Code, 2016 subject to such change(s) as
proposed in the Development Code of this Master Plan.

1-2 Applicability
a) These Regulations shall form integral part of the Master Plan Srinagar-2035 and shall be called Development Promotion Rules and
Regulations of the Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR).

b) The requirements of these Regulations shall extend to the whole of the Local Area of SDA in addition to other requirements of ‘The
Jammu & Kashmir Development Act, 1970’, and rules made thereunder, or as amended from time to time.

c) These Regulations shall have overriding power over all municipal by-laws/building regulations presently in vogue in the area (SMR) from
the date of approval/notification of this Master Plan.

d) All non-conforming developments other than those proposed to be phased out are retained in this master plan on “as-is-where-is-
basis” till such time and condition as the Government may deem fit. The Committee also recommends that all existing structures shall
continue to function as per standing permissions till such time as the Government may deem necessary. In case of such
developments/structures, only minor repairs by way of retrofitting shall be permitted without any change in façade, foot-print, height
and FSI/FAR or as the Competent Authority may decide. However, in case of reconstruction, the permission shall be granted as per the by-
laws of this Master Plan save any relaxations if any.

e) Structures already raised in violation of the earlier master plans however falling in permissible use zones as per the land use policy of
this master plan, shall not be deemed to have been regularised or legalised unless permission is sought. However, the violations have to
be considered as per the provisions of the Violation Policy formulated in compliance to Government Order No: 230-HUD.

f) Any violation/deviation of this Master Plan proposals made by any agency/department or person shall be treated as Illegal for all
times non-compoundable by any authority and shall be a cognizable offence which shall warrant penal action under law . It is stipulated that
the Master Plan-2035 shall have overriding powers on all other regulations, proposals, relevant acts etc. presently in vogue to
regulate the development within the proposed Local Area limits of SDA. It is also provided that Section 133 of J&K Land Reveune Act
shall cease to apply in areas falling within Srinagar Metropolitan Region.

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g) The space requirements and other conditions laid down in the Development Code shall not be applicable to such cases existing prior to
this master plan for Reconstruction without change in footprint and bulk provided having valid building permission issued by
competent authority as the Government or Competent Authority may deem necessary for implementation of a development project
involving compensation or rehabilitation.

1-2-1 Conformity with other Acts or Rules and Regulations


a) Situated and abutting on any of the classified Roads of the State Government shall also be regulated and controlled by the Building line
and Control line prescribed under the Govt. Department Resolution (if any) as amended from time to time.
b) Situated in the vicinity of the Grid Lines laid by the PDD Electricity Board under the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 or State PDD Rules,
shall be regulated and controlled by the horizontal and vertical clear distances to be kept open to sky.
c) In restricted/critical zone near the Air Port, construction of building shall be regulated as per the provisions of Civil Aviation
Department.
d) Situated in the vicinity of the Railway Boundary, construction shall be regulated and controlled according to the standing
orders/instructions in force of the Railway Authorities and as amended from time to time.
e) Situated anywhere in the Development area, construction shall be subject to provisions of the Acts related to telecommunication,
archaeology and conservation/ preservation of monuments and amendments made from time to time or as per the provisions of this
Master Plan.

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1-3 Planning Divisions (SMR)


The Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) has been divided into Fifty Three (53) Primary Planning Zones for the implementation efficiency.
The Special (Secondary) Zones have been identified among the Primary zones for special set of bylaws and relaxation of building norms.

Table 1-3(1): Description of Planning Zones


Sl. No. Nature of Zones Planning Zone Zone Number
1 PRIMARY ZONES Low Density Residential Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
2 Medium Density Zone Residential MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII
3 Medium High Density Residential MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_XI
4 High Density Zone Residential HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X
5 Restricted/Defense Zone Zone-I and Zone-II
5 SPECIAL [SECONDARY] Mixed Use Zone MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI & MHDR_Zone-IX
6 ZONES Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII
7 City Centre/Sub-City Centre HDR_Zone-VI
8 Core City Zone other than Walled City HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II
9 Walled City Zone MDR_Zone-XIV

1-4 Mixed Landuse Regulations Permissible within [Designated Use] based on Hierarchy of Road Network
Notwithstanding anything contrary to the zoning regulations envisaged in this Master Plan, all uses stated hereunder shall be
permitted as per the hierarchy of road network along all designated roads listed in Table 1-5(1) provided availability of minimum plot
area subject to the condition that the area is earmarked for [any Developed Use] in the Landuse Plan-2035. However, in case of CBD, City
Centre/Sub-city Centres and Mixed Use Zones, the uses stated hereunder shall be permitted irrespective of road hierarchy provided minimum plot
area is available for the proposed construction in such zones. These regulations shall be read in continuation with the regulations stipulated under
Section 1-6 [Permissible Uses and Regulations] of the Code and the mixed use regulations defined under public, semi-public uses as stipulated
under Col: 2 of Table 1-6(1) at (ii), (iv) and (v) shall be made permissible along all roads subject to road hierarchy and minimum plot
requirements. Also Plot depth restrictions as specified above under mixed landuse policy shall not apply to public, semi -public activities as
stipulated under Col: 2 of Table 1-6(1) except for (iii) and (vii).

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Table 1-4(1): Mixed Use Regulations (in mtr.)

Permissible area
Existing
Sl. No. Activities Permitted measurable from Centre of
RoW*
the Road
1 i) Residential other than group housing and flatted development
ii) Commercial uses of day-to-day nature in the form of Retail shops not more than 150 sft.
built up;
7.5 12.0
iii) Auto-stand, Parking Lot, Electric sub-station, OHTs, Post offices;
iv) Fire Stations; Public amenities, facilities, Services essential for Residential
neighbourhoods;
2 i) All uses mentioned at (1) above;
ii) Diagnostic centres, Testing labs, Food Courts, Retail shopping, Boutiques; Educational
Institutions of primary and upper primary standard only;
iii) Health Institutions up to Primary Health Centres level only, clinics; Mini-bus stand;
7.6-12.0 18.0
Police posts, etc;
iv) Homestays, Paying Guest Houses with bed limitation;
v) Craft centres,

3 i) All uses mentioned at (2) above except those at Sl. No. 1(ii) and 2(ii) and 2(iii);
ii) Banks, IT/ITES centres, Public Library/Community Hall (Govt. Only);
iii) Arboretum, Indoor stadia; Educational Institutions up to 12th standards only;
iv) Polyclinics, Nursing Homes;
v) Health—General Hospitals (less than 500 beds); 13.0-20.0 35.0
vi) Educational institution of senior level and Academic colleges,
vii) Wholesale shops, Departmental stores;
viii) Group housing Schemes other than flatted housing;
ix) Flatted Housing including institutional housing [15 mtr. wide RoW];

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x) Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping Centres [general retail and wholesale
excluding godowns],
xi) Non-automobile Showrooms; Electric Distribution and receiving stations, Post &
Telecommunications;
xii) IT/ITES centres;
Police Stations, Govt. offices of sub-divisional level; Public amenities, facilities, Services
essential for residential neighbourhoods.

4 i) All uses mentioned at [3] above;


ii) Govt. and public offices; Sub-District/District Park, Amusement Park; Outdoor stadia,
Club, Theatre; Education: Academic Colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs, Research Centres;
Corporate Offices
iii) Health—General Hospitals (500 beds), Super-Sociality Hospitals;
iv) Power Infrastructure, Grid Stations; Post and Telecommunication;
v) Petrol Pumps, Tourist Centre, Tourist Complexes etc; 21.0-30.0 50.0
vi) City Park/District Park;
vii) Industrial Estates, Industrial Parks; Garbage Dumping Yards/sites;
viii) Public amenities, facilities, Services essential for residential neighbourhoods;
ix) Auditorium, Museum, Art Galleries, Central library;
x) Workshops, Slaughter Houses,
5 i) All uses mentioned at [4] above;
ii) Professional colleges, University Campuses, other campuses;
iii) Hospitals treating contiguous diseases etc; 31.0-40.0 60.0
iv) Govt. offices [regional and state level];
v) Star Hotels, International Conference Centres etc;

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6 i) All uses mentioned at [4] however, excluding non-residential uses mentioned at [1]
above; Cinema, Cineplex, Multiplex, Shopping Malls/Complexes;
ii) Stadium, Zoological Park, Botanical garden, Shooting Range; Police Lines;
iii) IFC, Truck Terminals, Railway Station, Airport; Reformatories, Jails etc;
more than 40.0 100.0
iv) Commercial Showrooms of all kinds, Godowns;
v) Banquet Halls, Marriage halls;
vi) Automobile Service and Repair Workshops; Exhibition Grounds; Film and Studios;
Gas Bottling Plants; Storage Depots of inflammable materials;

* Existing RoW of any road designated for mixed use regulations shall be authenticated by the PW(R&B) Department.

1-5 Mixed-use Landuse Policy


The mixed use is primarily attributed to the use of a single building or a group of buildings. Any building(s) having a combination of more
than one use at a specific point of time is said to have ‘mixed use‘. For example, a building having one use in the ground floor and other use(s)
in the upper floor(s) is said to have mixed use. In common Indian jargon, it known as ―Neechay Dukaan Oóper Makaan. It is a vertical landuse
change of a building across its floors. Mixed use is always a combination of main use and the uses which are incidental to the main use. While
the main use is defined as the Primary use, the incidental use is defined as Secondary or subsidiary use. However, in this master plan the
policy has been stretched to include the landuse changes observed over space laterally. It is an important planning tool to accommodate the
unforeseen landuse changes resulting because of competitive market forces in city centres and along important streets. Mixed use has also
become inevitable because of limited scope for horizontal expansion as well as scarcity of land in such areas. For example, commercialisation
along main arterials within the residential areas is an illustration of landuse conversion resulting because of such factors. The main requisition
underlined for the mixed use model is the compatibility of the uses in terms of their type and intensity. In no case, the uses defined as
obnoxious or hazardous in this master plan under landuse regulations are permissible under mixed use category both vertical and lateral. The
uses have to be essentially subsidiary in case of vertical model and conforming in nature in case of lateral model having manageable impact on
the surrounding landuse. Therefore, attempt has been made in this Master Plan to regulate and restrict such changes for numerous benefits
and accordingly, have been for purposes of this Master Plan defined objectively to avoid its misuse while issuing building permissions.
1-5-1 Vertical Mixed Landuse Policy
For purposes of this Master Plan, mixed use under Vertical landuse Model is defined where:
―a building or a set of buildings is said to have a combination of more than one use at a particular point of time with main (primary) use
accounting for not less than 2/3rd of permissible FAR/FSI as envisaged in the Master Plan regulations (DCRs).

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In case of mixed use distribution, the secondary use shall be restricted to one floor only (preferably the ground floor) which is more
susceptible to landuse changes. While issuing the mixed use permits, care should be taken to consider the Secondary use as ancillary use to the
main use in size and scale within the structure. However, such mixed-use regulations are permissible for areas proposed for development in the
Landuse Plan.

1) In case of Vertical Mixed-use Model, mixed use is permitted for a plot depth as envisaged in Table 1-4(1) along the roads having
existing RoW up to 15 metre as per the description given in. In case of a building or a set of buildings existing on plots abutting the roads
having existing RoW less than 7.5 metre, mixed use regulations in either in a single building or a set of buildings shall not be permitted. However,
for roads having existing RoW more than 15 metres, mixed use regulations under Composite Mixed Landuse Model shall also be
applicable. The mixed use shall be permitted subject to the condition that adequate parking space as per the prescribed standard is
provided by the applicant. Notwithstanding anything contrary to this master plan, in case of plot(s)/building(s) abutting the—
- roads having existing RoW less than 7.5 metre, only residential use shall be permitted or as designated in the Landuse Plan;
- roads having existing RoW more than 7.5 but less than 15 metre, only vertical mixed use model is permitted; and
- roads having existing RoW more than 15 metre, mixed use model as prescribed at 1-5(1) below is permitted.

1-5-2 Composite Mixed Landuse Policy


As a policy measure, the proposed landuse is viewed as a Composite Use broadly segregated and integrated across sectoral uses. As an
inherent flexibility in the Landuse Policy of this master plan, it is envisaged to calibrate and integrate the proposed landuses to the hierarchy
of road network in a horizontal mix, however, essentially segregating the hazardous and obnoxious uses. For example, up to 15 metre wide
roads, only mixed-use (vertical) model as discussed above is made applicable, however, for more than 15 metre wide roads, a Composite
Mixed Landuse Model is proposed as spelt out in Table 1-4(1) and 1-5(1) under zoning regulations. The policy is applicable to those uses
which have been made permissible in a particular landuse. For example, the commercial/public, semi-public/industrial/recreational uses
proposed as permissible in a residential use shall be guided by the parameters given in Table 1-6(1) and subject to such conditions laid down
in Development Code provided in the subsequent section. In case of Composite Mixed Landuse Model, plot depth as envisaged along a
particular road from its centre shall be allowed for mixed use development. In case the plot depth exceeds the mixed use limit, remaining part of the
plot shall be allowed for ancillary uses but not more than 15% of the permissible mixed use, or the use as prescribed in the proposed Landuse Plan subject to
fulfilment of other norms.

Notwithstanding anything contrary to the zoning regulations envisaged in this Master Plan, all uses stated in the aforesaid table shall be
permitted as per the hierarchy of road network along the designated roads listed in Table 1-5(1) provided availability of minimum plot area

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permissibility for development as the proposed Landuse Plan-2035. However, in case of CBD, City Centre/Sub-city Centres and Mixed Use Zones, the
uses stated hereunder shall be permitted irrespective of road hierarchy provided minimum plot area is available for the proposed construction in such zones.
These regulations shall be read in continuation with the regulations stipulated under Section 1-6 [Permissible Uses and Regulations] of the
Development Code. The Committee however recommended that designated coridors passing through mixed use zones be earmarked for
commercial uses while the inner areas in such zones shall not be used for any retail and general business activities.

Table 1-5(1): List of Designated Road Permitted for Mixed-use subject to availability of RoW and other conditions
Sl. No. Name of Road Mixed use Restrictions
Permitted for 500 metre from Shalteng crossing on
1 Bandipora Road (N/H) from Shalteng crossing to Planning Area limits
b/s
Permitted 500 metre Investment Zone from centre of
2 Gallandhar - Ganderbal Expressway via Chadoora-Badgam-Narbal-Sumbal the road on both sides as designated in the Landuse
Plan-2035
3 Ichgam Road from Badgam main Chowk to Ichigam and beyond
Badgam - Beeru Road from Budgam main chowk to Nasrullahpora and beyond to Permitted within settlement area only
4
Gundpore
Road from Exhibition Ground to Kohankhan in front of Secretariat along the Tchsunti Permitted from Barbarshah to Baba Dharamdass
5
khul via Shaheed Gunj, Barbar shah with bridges across kutkhul and Jhelum Temple
6 Bakshi Stadium to TRC via Abdullah Bridge along left bank of River Jhelum Permitted at Wazir Bagh and Raj Bagh
7 NH-44 from Gallandhar to Planning Area Limits towards Awantipore Permitted from IFC godown to Barsu
Permitted from Pantha Chowk to Parimpora for
8 Existing N/H Bypass from Pantha Chowk – Parimpora
permissible area
Road from Parimpora to Mirgund connecting Outer Bypass via Lawaypora Permitted from Shalteng Chowk to ORR near
9
Mirgund
10 Pampore - Khrew Road from Kadlabal to Khrew main chowk via Konabal
Exempted
11 Buchpora Road from SKIMS Crossing to Pandach via Buchpora
Budgam - Magam Road from Nasrullapore to Soibough and onwards to ORR and
12 Permitted within settlement area only
beyond to Planning Area Limits (partly realigned)
Residency Road from Sonwar Chowk to Jehangir Chowk via Polo View-Lal Chowk-
13
Hari Singh High Street
14 Lal Mandi junction to Mehjoor Bridge via Jawahar Nagar Exempted
15 Hazratbal to Pandach via Zakura connecting Outer Ring Road
16 Chattabal Road from Qamarwari to Safa Kadal Road near Shareen Bagh

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Jamallatta Road from Safa Kadal Bridge to Gojwara Chowh via Nawa Kadal, Ali Kadal
17
and Rajouri Kadal
Pandan Road from Bohri Kadal to Chattipadshahi Gurudwara via Pandan, Nowhatta
18
and Malkhah
19 Road from Nowgam Chowk to Natipora crossing
20 From National School Karan Nagar to Batamaloo along Cremation Ground
Gallandhar - Parimpora via Pantha Chowk, Sonwar, Lal Chowk, Batmaloo and
21
Qamarwari
Dr. Ali Jan Jehangir Chowk - SKIMS Chowk via Shaheed Ganj, Karan Nagar , Safa
22
Kadal, Sekidafar and Zonimar
Existing Road from ORR intersection at Pandach to Planning Area Limits via main
23
market Ganderbal
Gousia Hospital to M.A Road near Sangarmaal City Centre via Fakhri Kashmir bridge
24
and Onwards to Residency Road via Polo View on piers
25 Haft Chinar to Presentation Convent Junction via Wazir Bagh and Ikhrajpora
26 Existing Road from Nishat to Shalimar via Ishber
27 Road from Nowgam Chowk to Newa onwards to Pulwama via Kani Pora and Khanda Permitted for one km from Nowgam Chowk on b/s
28 Chadoora - Rambagh Road via Mochow-Bagh-i-Mehtab-Chanapora Permitted from Chanapore Bridge upto Rambagh
29 Airport Road from Jehangir Chowk to Airport Permitted from Jehnagir Chowk upto Baghat Chowk
Permitted from Baghat Chowk upto Sanat Nagar
30 Old Airport Road (Rengreth Road)
Bypass Chowk as recommended by the Committee
31 Hazratbal Road from Zadibal Crossing to Hazratbal Crossing via Lal Bazaar, Kanitaar Permitted from Nallah Amir Khan Bridge onwards
Permitted from Narbal crossing at Baramulla Road
32 Narbal - Tangmarg Road (NTR) up to intersection of ORR near Jawaharpora
connecting ORR
Panthachowk to Khrew via Zewan - Khunamoh - Wuyan and onwards to Lethpora Permitted from Pantha Chowk to Zewan Morh and
33
near Police Line connecting N.H. Way within settlement areas beyond Zewan Morh
Permitted from Baba Dharamdas Mandir to Pratab
34 Bundh Road along Tchuntikul (Rt. Bank)
Ishwar Temple
35 Harwan Road from Shalimar to Harwan Bridge Permitted from Shalimar to Harwan Bridge
Bemina Road from Tatoo Ground to Outer Ring Road via Bemina, Khumoini chowk
36
and Sebdan Permitted within settlement areas only
Ganderbal - Manasbal Road connecting Central University including Re-Alignment
37
upto Planning Area Limits

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Ganderbal Central Road from Dudrehama Junction to ORR behind Saloora Forest
38
Nursery
39 Harwan - Saidpora - Chatterhama Road
40 SMS Road from Khanyar to SKIMS via Hawal and Nowshehra
41 Habbak - Khimber Road via Batapore Inderhama
Road from Nagbal to Harwan via Alusteng, Khimber, Chaterhama, Saidapora Bala
42
and Muftibagh
43 Road from Sheikhpora to Badgam via Ompora
44 New Zainakadal to Nawab Bazar junction via Shah Mohalla & Dalal Mohalla
45 Batapora - Alusteng Road
46 Burzahama -Dhanihama - Chatterhama Road
Jhelum Bund Road from Cement Bridge upto Anchar Foreshore Road via Noorbagh,
47
Palpore and Taken

Note: As per the recommendation of the Committee, important corridors as designated in Table 1-5(1) passing through mixed use zones are earmarked
for commercial use, while the inner areas in such zones shall not be used for any retail and general business activities as spelt out in Table 1-6(1) under
mixed use category.

1-6 PERMISSIBLE USES AND REGULATIONS

The uses permitted in various zones are given under. Uses permitted, permissible and prohibited in different categories of land use zones
are described against each. The uses are not to be treated as exhaustive. Similar uses and activities may be permissible in the appropriate locations
and shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be imposed by the competent authority. It is mandatory that all uses permissible
under mixed use regulations shall be governed by the hierarchy of road network as spelt out in the Development Code above. Any use(s)
permitted under mixed use regulations without taking cognizance of the conditions as laid down in these DCRs shall be deemed as
violation under this Master Plan.

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Table 1-6(1): Zonal Landuse Regulations


Zone Description Uses Permitted Uses Permissible Uses Prohibited
(1) (2) (3) (4)
RESIDENTIAL i) Residential uses of all types i) All uses mentioned spelt out in Table-1-4(1) i) All Heavy, Extensive,
(formal/informal/institutional) with subject to conditions laid down at Para 1-4 Obnoxious, Hazardous,
density limitations and group housing and fulfilment of other physical Extractive & Polluting Industry
regulations etc. (plot)/ancillary requirements, except for the ii) All activities which promote
uses specifically prohibited at Col. [4] of this nuisance and are obnoxious in
zone. nature
iii) Poultry Farms, Dairy Farms,
sheep farms and any such
activity having environmental
implications.
iv) Hospitals and Research Labs
treating Contagious Diseases
v) Dumping Yards, Storage of
perishable and inflammable
goods, Turnkey yards except for
utilities and services
COMMERCIAL
RETAIL, GENERAL i) Informal Shopping, Retail shops, i) All uses mentioned in Table-1-4(1) subject i) All Heavy, Extensive, Obnoxious,
BUSINESS AND Showrooms, Services Centres / to hierarchy of road network and fulfilment Hazardous, Extractive &
WHOLESALE Shops of other physical/ancillary requirements Polluting Industry,
ii) Restaurants, Food Plazas, Cafes except for the uses specifically prohibited at ii) Dumping Yards, Storage of
iii) Handicraft Bazaar & Urban Haat Col. [4]. perishable and inflammable
iv) Clinic, Professional Office goods, Turnkey yards
v) Banks, Post Offices, Public buildings iii) Hospitals and Research Labs
vi) Parking Lots, Museums, Art Gallery, treating Contagious Diseases
iv) All activities which promote
nuisance and are obnoxious in
nature
v) Poultry Farms, Dairy Farms and
Agricultural Uses
CBD/CITY i) All uses mentioned at Col.[2] under i) All non-commercial uses except for the uses i) All uses specifically mentioned at
CENTRE/SUB-CITY Retail, General Business and specifically mentioned at Col. [4]. Col. [4] under Residential and
CENTRE
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Wholesale category Commercial use zones.


ii) Warehousing etc
iii) Institutional Buildings, Offices,
Auditorium,
iv) Hotels, Guest House, Shopping
Malls, Business centres
v) Hospitals, Multi-level parking, Food
Courts, Shops, Cinemas, Convention
Halls
MIXED USE i) All uses mentioned in Table-1-4(1) along i) All uses specifically not
i) Residential uses of all types
designated roads subject to hierarchy of mentioned at Col. [2 & 3] of this
(formal/informal/institutional) with
road network and fulfilment of other use zone.
group housing regulations etc.
physical/ancillary requirements except for
ii) Except Col: 2(i) of Commercial use
the uses specifically prohibited at Col. [4] of
under Retail, General Business and
this use zone.
wholesale category, all other uses
mentioned at Col. [2].
iii) Except Col: 2(ii) of Tourism, all
other uses mentioned at [Col. 2].
INLAND i) Warehousing, Storage Facilities, i) All non-commercial uses except for the uses i) All uses specifically mentioned at
MULTIMODAL Servicing, Workshops and Service specifically mentioned at Col. [4]. Col. [4] under Residential and
CONTAINER DEPOT Centres; Commercial zones.
/DRY PORT ii) Loading and Unloading Facilities,
/LOGISTIC PARK iii) Terminal Centres, Auction Areas,
iv) Packing Facilities, Storage of non-
inflammable materials,
v) Weighing Facilities for Trucks,
vi) Public Utilities, Banks,
vii) Sewerage Treatment Plants,
Slaughter Houses etc;
viii) Hotels, Guest Houses, Recreational,
ix) Truck Yards, Taxi Stand,
x) Workshops, Petrol Filling Station &
Service Garages
xi) Fire Fighting Post Office etc;
INDUSTRIAL i) All industries except heavy and i) LPG Godowns as per norms applicable i) All uses specifically not
obnoxious industries under relevant rules. mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of

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ii) Light/Small, Medium and Service ii) Storage of Inflammable Goods based on this use zone
Industry norms
iii) Warehousing and Storage of Non- iii) Waste Treatment plants Ancillary to
Inflammable material; Industrial use
iv) Sewerage Treatment Plants, iv) Quarrying of Gravel, Sand, Clay and
Slaughter Houses etc; Stone.
v) Workshops, Petrol Filling Station & v) Dumping of Industrial Waste (subject to
Service Garages N.O.C and conditions laid down by
vi) Parking, Loading and Unloading Pollution Control Board)
Facilities vi) All non-industrial uses permitted at Col.
vii) Transport Terminals for Goods and [2] under Freight Centre except for
Passengers, Cold Stores, Tourism related activities.
Warehousing Facilities, Booking
Agencies / Bus Stop / Taxi Stand
viii) Health Care Facilities ancillary to
Industrial Use
ix) Wholesale Business, Offices, Retail
Shops, Banks, Dhabas, Restaurants,
Insurance Offices, etc.
x) Residential building for Industrial
Workers and Other Public utilities
xi) Sports/Recreational Areas
TRAFFIC AND i) Railway Yard, Railway Station & i) All other uses permitted at Col. [2] under i) All uses specifically not
TRANSPORTATION Railway Siding Freight Centre except for [viii] (Tourism mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
ii) Transport Hubs, Truck Terminals, related uses) and Col. [3] under Industrial this zone.
Truck Stand category.
iii) Intercity and Intra City Bus
Terminals, Bus Depots,
iv) Roads, Parking space for all kinds
of vehicles,
v) Restaurants, Dhabas , Workshops,
vi) Public amenities including Bus
Queue Shelter,
vii) Public utilities like transmission
lines,
viii) Residential Component for essential
Watch and Ward Staff at approved
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sites
ix) Sewerage Treatment Plants,
Slaughter Houses etc;
x) Petrol Filling Station & Service
Garages
xi) Ancillary uses related to Transport
Terminals viz. Retail/Automobile
Shops, Shopping Complex, Office
Buildings, etc.
PUBLIC AND SEMI- i) Government / Public i) All other uses permitted at Col. [2] under i) All uses specifically not
PUBLIC Offices/Semi-Public Offices Residential and commercial categories. mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
ii) Educational and health facilities of this zone.
neighbourhood level
iii) Hostels and Boarding Houses
iv) Civic/Cultural Institutions
including Library, Museum, Open
Air Theatre, Auditorium, Sport
Complex/Stadiums
v) Fire Station, Post offices and
Telephone Exchange, Other
Amenities and Facilities
vi) Broadcasting Station, TV & Radio
Station, Telephone Exchange
vii) Canteens, Restaurant & Dhabas
viii) Education and Health Care
Institutions all types, Research
Institutions etc
PUBLIC UTILITIES i) Water supply installation including i) All other uses permitted at Col. [2] under i) All uses specifically not
Storage, treatment and distribution Residential and Public and Semi-public mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
ii) Drainage, Sewage treatment plant, categories. this zone.
iii) Dewatering stations,
iv) Intermediate Pumping Stations
v) Sanitary installation, Disposal
Works, Solid Waste Management
sites,
vi) Electric Grid/sub-station,
vii) Gas installation & Gas works
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viii) Sub-offices of utilities


ix) All uses ancillary to the main use
PARKS AND i) Play Field / Playground, i) Open Air Theatre, Amphitheatre, Indoor i) All uses specifically not
GARDENS ii) Floriculture Nurseries, Stadium, Art Gallery, Aquarium and mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
iii) Plantation / Buffers Uses incidental to recreational use which this zone.
iv) Car and Scooter parking will not create nuisance or hazard.
ii) Amusement Park, Theme Park
iii) Concept gardens, Swimming Pools,
iv) Zoo, Aquarium, Exhibition Ground,
v) Golf course, Buffer green, etc,
vi) Picnic spots, Regional Park, Botanical
Gardens
vii) Bird sanctuary,
viii) Restaurants and Cafes, Snack bar, Food
Plaza subject to availability of primary
use as given in [Col. 2] under parks and
Gardens use.
TOURISM AND i) Restaurants, Food plazas, Open Air i) All other uses permitted at Col. [2] under i) All uses specifically not
CULTURE Café's, Snack Bars Residential and Commercial categories. mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
ii) Retail Shops and Handicrafts this use zone.
showrooms
iii) Amphitheatre’s, Theme Parks, Golf
Courses, Health and Wellness
Centres,
iv) Museum, Art and Craft Centres, Art
Galleries
v) Parks and Open Spaces, Tourist
Office, etc.
vi) Taxi Stand, Cycle Stands, Parking
lots,
vii) High End Camping/ Tentage,
viii) Hotels, Guest House, Tourist Huts,
Cottages, Home Stays
ix) Tourist Village, Rural Tourism
x) Picnic Hut/Camping Sites, Rope
Ways,
xi) Amusement Parks and Recreational
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Clubs, Planetarium/Aquarium
xii) Botanical and Zoological Parks
SPECIAL i) Informal Residential not beyond i) Botanical and Zoological Parks i) All uses specifically not
INVESTMENT Abadi Deh areas ii) Herbal Gardens, Horticulture mentioned at Col. [2] & Col. [3]
CORRIDOR/ZONE ii) Organized investment across health, iii) Storage of petroleum products, Gas of this use zone.
education, commerce, industry, Bottling Plant
tourism, housing sectors.
AGRICULTURE i) Paddy farms, Urban Farms, Saffron i) Dairy & Poultry farms subject to NOC/ i) All Heavy, Extensive,
ii) Fish ponds, irrigation ponds approved by concerned department Obnoxious, Hazardous,
ii) Nurseries, Botanical Garden, Extractive & Polluting Industry
iii) Uses Pertaining to Processing of Agro ii) All uses specifically not
/Farm/Milk Product after approved by mentioned in Col. [2] & Col. [3]
concerned department and uses which tend to
iv) Public utilities like Water supply, commercialize the uses in the
Sewerage, drainage, telecommunication zone and change the basic
towers, power grid station/distribution character of Agricultural Zone
lines, petrol pumps, with or without construction.
v) Parking and terminal facilities iii) Residential use except those
ancillary uses permitted in
Agriculture use zone
HORTICULTURE i) Orchards, Orchard Nurseries i) Eco-tourism/Rural tourism on i) All uses specifically not
sustainable parameters as an allied mentioned in Col. [2] & Col. [3]
activity after carrying out EIA/EMP of and uses which tend to
the project area commercialize the uses in the
ii) Watch and Ward (max. 500 sft) zone and change the basic
iii) Public utilities like Water supply, character of the Zone
sewerage, drainage, tele-communication
towers, power grid station/distribution
lines, petrol pumps etc
iv) Parking and terminal facilities
ECOLOGICAL i) Water bodies, lakes, wetlands, i) Nurseries, i) All uses specifically not
RESERVES / plantation, forest, biodiversity ii) Nurseries, parks and gardens mentioned in Col. [2] & Col. [3] of
CONSERVATION reserves and wildlife, iii) Public utilities like Water supply, this use zone.
RESERVES / GREEN ii) Natural hills and hillocks, sewerage, drainage, telecommunication
RESERVE OR CITY iii) Restricted Green belts, Buffers towers, power grid station/distribution
FOREST lines

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DEFENSE i) All uses required for Defense i) Health, education, commercial and i) All uses specifically mentioned at
Establishments including Residential recreational uses. Col. [4] under Residential and
Quarters, Hostels, Barracks, Commercial zones.
Convenient Shopping Centres, Parks ii) Any activity involving erection/
and Playgrounds, , Helipads, construction and cutting and
Bunkers, Gated Walls, etc. filling of slope gradients,
deforestation of any kind of
physical structure.

1-7 DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR VARIOUS USES

Zone-wise regulations have been spelt out in commensurate with distinctive zone character and the proposed scale of development in such
zones. No detailed development norms/regulations have been spelt out for the Restricted or Defense areas; however, such zones can be treated as Medium
High Density Zones with provision for mixed use. As per the recommendations of the Committee constituted for scrutiny of objections and suggestions, the
structures and land parcels affected in the acquisition process shall be given special relaxation in terms of minimum plot area and side setbacks on case-to-
case basis.

a. *In case the height of a residential house is restricted to 40 feet in core city and 30 feet in all other zones, minimum setback margins on South and
West side can be retired by five feet maximum.
b. In case of core city, the side setback margins other than building line can be relaxed by 100% if the plot area is less than 75 sq. mtr.
c. In case of LIG/EWS housing colonies, the maximum coverage shall be 60% with dwelling units in a semi-detached pattern with setbacks not less
than [5] feet.
d. Clear height of each storey in a residential house shall not exceed 3.0 mtr and also be not less than 2.75 mtr.
e. Staircase mount height up to 2.5 mtr shall be in addition to permissible height.
f. Basement floor shall not be permissible save flatted housing.
g. Garage/Porch to the extent of 16 sq. mtr each shall be allowed in semi-detached and detached housing. Room over porch shall not be allowed.
h. No servant quarter shall be permitted in case the plot area is less than 505 sq. mtr. or one kanal.
i. Roof height shall not be more than 3.50 mtr measurable from eaves boarding to ridge top.

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1-7-1 Development Regulations for Residential use (Detached and Semi-detached Housing under Plotted Development)
PLOTTED RESIDENTIAL AND ROW HOUSING [in feet]
Minimum Setback
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number Max. Ground Max.
Max. Height Norms*
Coverage FAR
Front Rear Sides
LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-III and
Low Density Zone 35% 1. 05 10 10 {10 / 10}
1 LDR_Zone-IX to LDR_Zone-XII
(Upto 80 PPH)
LDR_Zone-IV to LDR_Zone-VIII 30% 0.90 10 10 {10 / 10}
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII
2 40% 1.20 Height to be 10 10 {10 / 10}
(81-160 PPH)
determined as per
Medium High Density MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_IX
the maximum
3 and MHDR_Zone-XI 40% 1.60 10 10 {10 / 10}
(161-240 PPH) permissible ground
High Density Zone coverage and
4 (+241 PPH) other than HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 50% 2.0 maximum FAR/FSI 10 10 {10 / 10}
core city specified under Col
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI (4) &Col. (5)
5 Mixed Use Zone 50% 2.0 10 10 {10 / 10}
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X
Central Business
6 HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 50% 2.0 10 10 {10 / 10}
District
City Centre/Sub-City To be determined on case to case basis or by the design parameters in the layout
7 HDR_Zone-VI
Centre plan of the area
Core City Zone other
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 60% 2.4 55 10 10 {10 / 10}
than Walled City
9 Walled City Zone MDR_Zone-XIV 40% 1.0 30 10 10 {10 / 10}

Note: The minimum Plot size shall be 75 sq. mtr for all zones other than Low Density Zones wherein the minimum plot area shall be 125 sq. mtr
with minimum width of the plot not be less than [8] mtr.

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1-7-2 Development Regulations for Residential Use [Flatted Development]:

The minimum Plot size shall be [8.0 kanal] located on an approach road not less than [15 metre] in RoW. It is envisaged that the norms
recommended by the Committee for the construction of apartments in the core city have also been added below in Table 1-7(2). The
minimum plot size on an approach road of 6.0 Mtr RoW shall be 500 Sq.M in the core city.
Table 1-7-2: Development Regulations for Residential use (Flatted Housing)
RESIDENTIAL (FLATTED HOUSING) [in feet]
Max. Minimum Setback Norms
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number Max. Max.
Ground
FAR Height Front Rear Sides
Coverage
Low Density Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
1 Not Permitted
(Upto 80 PPH)
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII
2 35% 2.00
(81-160 PPH)
Medium High Density MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_IX Height to be
3 and MHDR_Zone-XI 40% 2.50 determined
(161-240 PPH) 1/4th of height of Building
on the basis
High Density Zone or 15 feet whichever is
4 HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 40% 3.00 of maximum
(+241 PPH) other than core city more
ground
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI coverage and
5 Mixed Use Zone 40% 2.50
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X maximum
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 30% 3.00 FAR/FSI
consumed 1/4th of height of Building
7 City Centre/Sub-City Centre HDR_Zone-VI 30% 3.00 or 20 feet whichever is
more
Front setback as per
applicable Building line or
Core City Zone other than
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 40% 1.60 55 1/3rd of height of Building
Walled City
whichever is more and
other setbacks of 10 feet.
9 Walled City Zone MDR_Zone-XIV Not Permitted

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Note:

a. Single level basement (max. depth of 3.0 metre) shall be permitted as per the conditions which the competent authority may deem necessary.
b. Basement, if constructed and used for parking and services only shall not be counted in FAR. 10% of area should be reserved for services in the
basement.
c. Stilt Floor and/or podium (single level permitted only), if constructed and used for parking only shall not be counted in FAR. The slab height of stilt
floor shall not exceed 2.7 mtr.
d. In case of group housing projects having plot area more than one hectare, for providing facilities for the senior citizens, crèche, library, gym, multi-
purpose halls and society offices, in aggregate shall be given as additional FAR of 500 sq. mtr.
e. In case of group housing with flat size more than 1500 sft, provision for accommodation of the service population shall be made with minimum 15 sq.
mtr built up area.
f. The area of basement shall not exceed beyond the line of setbacks and/or building line as applicable and shall be used for parking/services only.
g. In-house back-up facilities for electricity/power and water supply to be provided for building beyond four storeyes.
h. In group housing, in-house provision of facilities like STPs, Transformers, Pump Stations, water sumps, firefighting etc. shall be made mandatory.
i. The clearances/ NOCs from fire department and a qualified Structural Engineer are mandatory.
j. The facilities of convenient shops should be provided within complex.
k. Minimum of 15% area shall be reserved as organized green. Remaining area outside ground coverage shall be treated as Common Area.
1. Parking Norms:
i. Area to be considered under parking in basement/Stilts/Podium/Open shall be as under:
 Basement = 32 sq. mtr. per ECS
 Stilt = 28 sq. mtr. per ECS
 Open/ Surface = 23 sq. mtr. per ECS
ii. Parking shall be provided @___
a) 1.0 ECS per 100 sq. mtr floor area;

1-7-3 Development Regulations for Housing Colonies:

1. A person or a group of persons or a co-operative society or firm intending to plot out an estate into more than four (4) plots (4048 Sq. mtr.
or more) shall give notice in writing to the competent authority which will be accompanied by a layout plan of entire land showing the
areas allotted for roads, open spaces, plot and public buildings, the specification of the roads, drains and other infrastructures.

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2. Min. Width of Approach road

i) Housing colony up to twenty (20) Kanals—


Entry from the main road shall not be less than 12.0 mtr and no internal road shall be less than 6.0 mtr.

ii) Housing colony more than twenty (20) Kanals—


Entry from the main road shall not be less than 15.0 mtr and no internal road shall be less than 6.0 mtr.

3. Roads, drains, water mains and electric lines required for the colony shall be constructed by the developer at his own cost and no plot shall
be eligible for any services and utilities by the govt. and/or Municipality unless the colony is developed properly and approved by the
competent authority, and no building plan shall be considered by the Municipality or prescribed authority in any plot of such a colony
which has not received the prior approval of the competent authority. Developer in this case will mean the person, co-operative or the firm
intending to plot out the land into more than four (04) plots.

4. No housing colony can be allowed in the area not specified as the residential in the proposed Master Plan (if approved by Govt.) unless
considered in any special circumstances by the competent authority with the approval of Govt. In such housing colonies, the following
standards shall apply:
a) Area under roads Min. 15% to 20% of the total area of land under the proposed colony.
b) Land to be allotted for open spaces, schools and public building for a housing colony of 20 plots and above shall not be less than 15% of the
total area of the colony.
c) Area under commercial use shall be 4% to 5%.

5. After the developed land is sold by the developer, the roads and drains etc. constructed by the developer shall be transferred to the
concerned authority for their maintenance.

6. Land use of the layout plan approved by the competent authority shall not be changed unless with the prior consent of the competent
authority.

7. Open spaces allocated for parks, play-fields, school sites and public building in a colony shall be deemed to have been sold along with the
plots as amenities of the colony by the developer to the plot holders of the colony. The development of such open spaces shall be the
responsibility of the Municipality/Development authority which may levy betterment charges on the plot holders of the colony in
accordance with the provisions of the Act.
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8. No permission shall be accorded for construction of a building in any notified area which shall cause nuisance by way of odour, smoke,
noise or disturbance to inhabitants of the locality or be injurious to health of the residents of the buildings or to the inhabitants in the
surrounding areas.

1-7-4 Development Regulations for Commercial Use

Table 1-7-4: Development Regulations for Commercial Use


COMMERCIAL [in feet]
Max. Minimum Setback
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number Max.
Ground Max. Height Norms
FAR
Coverage Front Rear Sides
Low Density Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
1 35% 1.40 15 10 {10/5}
(Upto 80 PPH)
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII
2 40% 1.60 15 10 {10/5}
(81-160 PPH)
Medium High Density MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_IX and
3 MHDR_Zone-XI 40% 2.00 20
(161-240 PPH)
Height to be
High Density Zone 10 {10/10}
determined on
4 (+241 PPH) other than core HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 40% 2.50 the basis of 20
city maximum
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI ground
5 Mixed Use Zone 40% 2.00 20 10 [10/10]
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X coverage and
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 50% 3.00 maximum 20 15 [0/0]
FAR/FSI
1/4th of height of
consumed
City Centre/Sub-City Building or 20
7 HDR_Zone-VI 40% 3.00 30
Centre feet whichever is
more
Core City other than
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 40% 1.60 15 10 0/0
walled city
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV 40% 1.20 15 5 {10/5}

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Note:
 Minimum Plot size for Hotel Should not be less than 2020 Sq. Mt.
 Minimum Plot size for Hostel/Boarding House Should not be less than 1010 Sq. Mt.
 Minimum Plot size for Guest House/Lodging House Should not be less than 750 Sq. Mt.
 Minimum Plot size for Paying Guest House should not be less than 500 Sq. Mt.
Parking Norms for Commercial Use:
 Single tier basement parking and stilt floor are permissible within all commercial use zones for parking and services use.
 15% of the basement area shall be reserved for locating services like generator room, electric room/plant room etc. Portion of the
basement where these services are proposed should be segregated suitably from the other uses so as to ensure adequate safeguards
against fire hazards.
 Basement/stilt floor used for parking shall not be counted towards FAR/FSI.
 Parking space shall be worked out as following norms:
 Basement = 32 sq. mtr. per ECS
 Stilts/ Podium = 28 sq. mtr. per ECS
 Open to sky = 23 sq. mtr. per ECS
 Parking space shall be provide as following norms:
 Wholesale, Retail shops = 2.0 ECS for 100 sq. mtr. of floor area
 Multiplex = 2.5 ECS for every 100 sq. mt. of floor space.
 Cinema/Cineplex = 2.5 ECS for every 100 sq. mt. of floor space.
 Banquet/Marriage Halls = Min. 100 ECS up to 12 kanal, and 6ECS for every additional Kanal
 Hotel/Guest House = 3.0 ECS for every 2 guest rooms.
 Hotel-cum-Banquet Hall = 1.0 ECS for every 2 guest rooms and Min. 100 ECS up to 12 kanal, and Six ECS for every
additional Kanal

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1-7-5 Development Regulations for Mixed Use


Table 1-7-5: Development Regulations for Mixed Use
MIXED USE REGULATIONS (in feet)
[for activities permitted as per Table-1-4(1)]
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number
Max. Ground Max. Minimum Setback Norms
Max. Height
Coverage FAR Front Rear Sides
Low Density Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
1 35% 1.00 15 15 {10 / 10}
(Upto 80 PPH) Height to be
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII determined as
2 40% 1.20 20 15 {15 / 10}
(81-160 PPH) per the
Medium High Density MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_IX maximum
3 and MHDR_Zone-XI 40% 1.60 permissible 20 15 {15 / 10}
(161-240 PPH)
ground
High Density Zone coverage and
4 (+241 PPH) other than HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 40% 2.0 20 15 {15 / 10}
maximum
core city FAR/FSI
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI specified under 1/3rd of the height
5 Mixed Use Zone 40% 2.40 20
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X Col (4) &Col. of Building or 15
(5) feet whichever is
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 40% 3.00 20
more
City Centre/Sub-City
7 HDR_Zone-VI Not Applicable
Centre
Core City other than To be
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 40% 1.60 20 15 15/10
Walled city determined as
per the
maximum
permissible
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV 40% 1.20 ground 20 15 15/10
coverage and
maximum
FSI/FAR

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1-7-6 Development Regulations for Public and Semi-Public (Govt./Semi-Govt./Autonomous Bodies other than Commercial Projects) Use

Table 1-7-6: Development Regulations for Public and Semi-Public (Govt./Semi-Govt./Autonomous Bodies other than Commercial
Projects) Use
PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC (in feet)
(Govt./Semi-Govt./Autonomous Bodies other than their Commercial Projects)
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number
Max. Max. Max. Minimum Setback Norms
Ground Coverage FSI Height Front Rear Sides
Low Density Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
1 2.00
(Upto 80 PPH)
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-
2 2.50
(81-160 PPH) XVIII
MHDR_Zone-I to
Medium High Density
3 MHDR_Zone_IX and 2.50
(161-240 PPH)
MHDR_Zone-XI Maximum Ground
High Density Zone Height to be
Coverage to be
4 (+241 PPH) other than HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 3.00 determined on the
determined on the 1/3rd. of the height of
Core city basis of maximum
basis of permitted Building or 15 feet
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone- ground coverage
maximum FSI and whichever is more
5 Mixed Use Zone VI MHDR_Zone-IX & 3.00 and maximum
prescribed
MHDR_Zone-X FAR/FSI consumed
minimum setbacks
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 3.00
City Centre/Sub-City
7 HDR_Zone-VI 3.00
Centre
Core City other than
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 3.00
Walled city
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV 2.00

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1-7-7 Development Regulations for [other] Public and Semi-Public Use (Commercial Govt. Projects, Private and Non-Government Use)
Table 1-7-7: Development Regulations for other Public and Semi-Public Use (Commercial Govt. Projects, Private and Non-Government Use)
PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC (in feet)
Minimum Setback
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number Max. Ground Max.
Max. Height Norms
Coverage FSI
Front Rear Sides
Low Density Zone LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII
1 1.00
(Upto 80 PPH)
Medium Density Zone MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-
2 1.50
(81-160 PPH) XVIII
MHDR_Zone-I to
Medium High Density Height to be
3 MHDR_Zone_IX and Maximum Ground 2.00
(161-240 PPH)
MHDR_Zone-XI determined on
Coverage to be
High Density Zone the basis of 1/3rd. of the height of
determined on the
4 (+241 PPH) other than core HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 2.50 maximum Building or 15 feet
basis of permitted
city ground whichever is more
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone- maximum FSI and
coverage and
5 Mixed Use Zone VI MHDR_Zone-IX & prescribed minimum 2.00
maximum
MHDR_Zone-X setbacks
FAR/FSI
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 2.50
consumed
City Centre/Sub-City
7 HDR_Zone-VI 3.00
Centre
Core City other than
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 2.50
Walled city
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV 2.00

Parking Norms for Public, Semi-Public Building:

Parking space shall be provided as per following norms:


 Nursing Home, Hospitals = 2 ECS per 100 sq. mtr. of floor area
 Socio-cultural and other institutions = 3 ECS per 100 sq. mtr. of floor area
 Govt. & Semi-Govt. Offices = 1.5 ECS per 100 sq. mtr. of floor area
 Health & Educational Institutions = 0.75 ECS per 100 sq. mtr. of floor area

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Development Code

1-7-9 Development Regulations for Tourism Use Zone


The zone-wise regulations for tourism use are envisaged in Table 1-7-9 and shall not be applicable for Tourist Village and Rural tourism for which separate
regulations have been provided below.

A) Development Regulations for Tourism Use Zone other than tourism use specified at 1-7-9(B)

Table 1-7-9: Development Regulations for Tourism Use Zone


TOURISM (in feet)
Sl. Max. Minimum Setback Norms
Zone Description Zone Number
No. Ground Max. FAR Max. Height
Coverage Front Rear Sides
Low Density Zone
1 LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII 35% 0.70
(Upto 80 PPH)
Medium Density Zone
2 MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII 35% 1.00
(81-160 PPH)
Height to be
Medium High Density (161- MHDR_Zone-I to MHDR_Zone_IX
3 40% 1.50 determined on 1/3rd. of height of Building or
240 PPH) and MHDR_Zone-XI
the basis of 20 feet whichever is more
High Density Zone
4 (+241 PPH) other than core HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X 40% 2.50 maximum
city ground
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI coverage and
5 Mixed Use Zone 40% 2.00
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X maximum
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII 40% 3.0 FAR/FSI 1/4th of height of Building or
7 City Centre/Sub-City Centre HDR_Zone-VI 30% 3.0 consumed 20 feet whichever is more
Core City other than Walled
8 HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 40% 2.50 1/4th of height of Building or
city
15 feet whichever is more
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV 35% 1.0

B) Development Regulations for Tourist Village-cum-Urban Haat and Rural tourism


 Tourist Village-cum-Urban Haat has been proposed subject to the condition that the area is developed under a Town Planning Scheme
(TPS) and fulfilment of following mandatory conditions:
 Maximum Ground Coverage = 15%

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 Maximum Height = 25 feet


 Minimum Plot area = 3.0 acres

 Eco-tourism/Rural Tourism: The policy envisaged in the Draft Master Plan for Eco-tourism /Rural Tourism under Urban Greens and
Orchard use has been omitted as per the recommendations of the Committee.
1-7-10 Development Regulations for Industrial Use
Table 1-7-10: Development Regulations for Industrial Use
INDUSTRIAL (in feet)
Max. Minimum Setback Norms
Sl. No. Zone Description Zone Number Max.
Ground Max. Height
FAR Front Rear Sides
Coverage
Low Density Zone (Upto 80
1 LDR_Zone-I to LDR_Zone-XII {20 /
PPH)
35% 1.0 25 20
Medium Density Zone 20}
2 MDR_Zone-I to MDR_Zone-XVIII Height to be
(81-160 PPH)
MHDR_Zone-I to determined on the
Medium High Density (161-240 basis of maximum
3 MHDR_Zone_IX and
PPH) ground coverage and
MHDR_Zone-XI
maximum FAR/FSI {25 /
High Density Zone 40% 1.5 30 25
4 HDR-Zone-I to HDR-Zone-X consumed 25}
(+241 PPH) other than core city
MHDR_Zone-V, MHDR_Zone-VI
5 Mixed Use Zone
MHDR_Zone-IX & MHDR_Zone-X
6 Central Business District HDR-Zone-V, MHDR-Zone-VII
Not Permitted
7 City Centre/Sub-City Centre HDR_Zone-VI
Height to be
determined on the
basis of maximum
permissible ground {25 /
8 Core City other than Walled city HDR-Zone-I & HDR_Zone-II 40% 1.2 30 25
coverage and 25}
maximum FSI/FAR
speicified under Col.
(4) & Col. (5)
9 Walled City MDR_Zone-XIV Not Permitted

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Development Code

Parking Norms:

Parking space shall be provided @ 0.75 ECS per 100 sq. mtr of floor area.

1-7-11 OTHER REGULATIONS


A. Distance between Buildings

Table 1-7-11: Minimum distance between two buildings, or as part of same building unit
Sl. No. Building Height Min. Distance between Two Buildings on same plot
1 Up to 40 feet 15 feet
2 Above 40 feet and up to 55 feet 20 feet
3 Above 55 feet up to 75 feet 25 feet
4 Above 75 feet ½ of the height of building
Note: In case of two buildings of different height, the height of taller building shall be considered for determining the minimum distance
between such buildings.

1-7-8 Petrol Pumps / Filling Stations


Building-units for use as Filling Stations shall comply with Petroleum Rules 1976 under the Petroleum Act 1934 and any such regulations
enforced from time to time by the Central or State Government. The following regulations are recommended for locating petrol pump cum
service stations:-
i) Minimum distance of Petrol Pump/Filling Station from the road intersections or junction of two or more roads shall be 150 mtr.
ii) New petrol pump/filling station shall be permitted on roads having existing RoW not less than 65 feet (20 mtr.).
iii) Plot size (minimum) for basic and ancillary uses-
 Only filling stations : 1010 sq. mtr.
 Filling-cum-service station : 1515 sq. mtr.
 Filling-cum-service station-cum-Workshop : 2020 sq. mtr.
 CNG Filling Station : 1010 sq. mtr.

iv) Maximum ground coverage : 45%


v) Maximum Height : 25 for building and canopy [both]

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Development Code

vi) Setbacks are as mentioned under:


Table 1-7-8: Development Regulations for Petrol Pumps/Fuelling Stations

Sl. No. Components of Fuelling Station Front Setback [Feet] Other sides Setback

20 feet (min. distance between building and fuelling pedestal, and


1 Filling Pedestal/ Curb 30
between two fuelling pedestal shall also be 20 feet)
20 feet in case of canopy height up to 20 feet.
2 Canopy 20
25 feet in case canopy height above 20 feet.
3 Administrative or Other Building 20 15 feet

Notes:

a. Shall be acceptable to explosive /Fire & Emergency Department.


b. Ground coverage will include canopy area.
c. Mezzanine if provided shall be counted in FAR.
d. In case of CNG Mother Station, building components shall be control room/office/dispensing room.
e. No basement shall be allowed.
1-7-12 Safety against Natural Disasters like Earthquakes
The application for seeking building permit shall be accompanied with a report of registered qualified Architect/Structural Engineer
certifying that the proposed structure has been designed structurally keeping in view the safety measures against earthquakes as indicated in
the following Bureau of Indian Standards (B.I.S).

Bureau of Indian Standards (B.I.S):


a) IS: 13935: 1993
Repair and Seismic Strengthening of building guidelines

b) IS: 1893 (part i): 2002


Criteria for Earth quake Resistant Design of structure

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c) IS: 4326 1993 (2002-04)


Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction of building – Code of practice

d) IS: 13920: 1993


Ductile Detailing of Reinforced Concrete structures subjected to seismic Forces – Codes of Practice

e) IS: 13827: 1993


Improving Earthquake Resistant of Earthen Building – Guidelines

f) IS: 13828: 1993


Improving Earthquake Resistance of low strength Masonry Building Guidelines

1-7-13 Water Harvesting


Water harvesting by way of storage of rainwater in all new buildings existing on plots of 1000 sq. mtr and above, and all group housing shall
be mandatory. The plans submitted to the local authority shall indicate the system of storm water drainage along with points of collection of
rain water in surface reservoirs or in recharge wells.

1-7-14 Fire Protection and Fire Requirements

A) Scope:

This part covers the requirements of fire protection for the multi-storeyed buildings (high rise buildings) and the buildings which are 15 mtr
and above in height and low occupancies of categories such as Assembly, Institutional, and Educational more than two storeyed and built-up
area exceeding 1000 sq.mt. Business where plot area exceeds 500 sq. mtr, mercantile where aggregate covered area exceeds 750 sq.mt., Hotel,
Hospital, Nursing Homes, Underground complexes, Industrial storage, Meeting/Banquet halls, Hazards Occupancies.

B) Fire Protection Requirements:

Buildings shall be planned, designed and constructed to ensure fire safety and this shall be done in accordance with [Part IV] (Fire protection
of National Building Code) of India. The building schemes as such also be cleared by the District Officer of the Fire and Emergency Services
Department before issuance of building permit.

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Development Code

1-7-15 Mulba Stacking


In the cases of plots falling under any land use approved under the Master Plan, stacking of building materials shall be done within the plot
premises if the plot area is above 500 sq. mtr. An undertaking shall be sought for stacking of materials on the adjoining Govt. land i.e. Road,
land etc. but the same shall be removed on daily basis by the applicant. If the same is not done, the local authority shall remove the mulba on
the cost and expenses of plot owner and initiate legal action under rules against the erring beneficiaries.

1-7-16 Provision for Physically Challenged Persons in the Public Buildings:

A) Scope:

These bye-laws are applicable to public buildings and exclude domestic buildings. Buildings which shall provide access to ambulant and non-
ambulant physically challenged persons are listed below. Distinction is made for buildings to be designed for the use of large wheel chairs and
small wheel chair.

B) Buildings to be designed for Ambulant Physically Challenged People (Besides Hospitals):

Higher Secondary School, Conference Hall, Dance Halls, Youth centres, Youth clubs, Sports centres, Sports pavilion, Boat club houses,
Ice/roller skating rinks, Swimming pools, Police stations, Law courts, Court houses, Sports stadiums, Theatres, Concert halls, Cinemas,
Auditoriums, Small offices ( the maximum plinth area 1400 sq.mt.), Snack bars, Cafes and Banqueting rooms (for capacity above 50 dinners).

Note:

a. In sport stadiums provisions shall be made for non-ambulant spectators (small wheel chair) @ 1:1000 up to 10,000 spectators and
additional 1:2000 for spectators above 10,000.
b. In Theatres, Concert halls, Cinemas and Auditorium provisions shall be made for non-ambulant spectators (small wheel chairs) @
1/250 up to 1000 spectators and additional 1/500 for spectators above 1000.

C) Buildings to be designed for Non-Ambulant Physically Challenged People:

Schools for physically challenged persons, cremation grounds, public/semi-public buildings, Botanical gardens, Religious buildings, Old
people clubs, Village halls, Day centres, Junior training centres, post offices, Banks, Dispensaries, Railway stations, Shops, Super markets, and
Departmental stores.

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Note:

a. Large wheel chair criteria shall be applicable on ground floors of the following buildings:
b. Post offices, Banks, Dispensaries, Railway station, Shops, Super markets and Departmental stores.

D) Building to be designed for Non-Ambulant Physically Challenged Persons (using small wheel chairs):

Public lavatories in Tourist spots, Club motels, Professional and Scientific institutions, Museum, Art galleries, Public libraries, Laboratories,
Universities, College for further Education, Teachers Training Colleges, Technical College, Exhibition halls, Dentist surgeries, Administrative
department of the Hospitals, Service stations, Car parking, Building airports terminals, Bus terminals, Factories employing handicapped for
sedentary works, large offices (with plinth area above 400 sq.mt.), Tax offices, Passport offices, Pension offices, Labour offices, Cafes,
Banqueting rooms and Snack bars (for capacity above 100 dinners).

1-7-17 Space Standards


Space standards are fundamental to obtain the basic objective of zoning regulations to achieve desirable pattern of development in a city. Strict
enforcement is needed to achieve articulated urban development as envisaged in the Master Plan of a City.
Table 1-7-17: Spatial Norms and Standards
S. No. Description Standard prescribed Area/Unit (Hectares)
A Educational Facilities
1 Pre-Primary School 1 for 2500 Persons 0.10
2 Primary School (Class I - V) 1 for 5000 Persons 0.40
3 Middle School (Class VI - VIII) 1 for 5000 Persons 0.60
4 Senior Secondary School (Class VI-X) 1 for 7500 Persons 1.20
5 Higher Sec School (Class X-XII) 1 for 10000 Persons 1.60
6 Integrated School (Class I - XII) 1 for 10000 Persons 2.00
7 Integrated School with Hostel 1000-1500 Students 2.50
8 School For differently abled 400 Students/45000 Pop 0.70
9 Academic College 1000-1500/1 Lac Pop 3.50
10 ITI 500 Students/ 10 Lac Pop 1.60
11 Polytechnic 400 Students/ 10 Lac Pop 2.40
12 Engineering College 1500-1700 students 10.00

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13 Medical College 1500-1700 students 15.00


14 Other Professional College 250-500 Students/10 Lac Pop. 4.00
15 Para-Medical Institute 500 Students/ 10 Lac Pop 1.60
B Health Care Facilities
18 Health Unit/Dispensary 1 for 15000 0.10
19 Nursing Home/Maternity Centre 30 Beds/1 per 45000 0.25
20 Polyclinic 1 per 1 Lac Pop 0.10
21 General Hospital (500 Beds) 1 for 1 to 2 Lac 6.00
22 Multi-Speciality Hospital 200 Beds/1 Lac Pop 3.00
24 Intermediate Hospital (A) 200 Beds/1 Lac Pop 3.00
25 Intermediate Hospital (Maternity) 80 Beds/ 1 Lac Pop 1.00
C Socio-Cultural Facilities
24 Community Room 1 per 5000 pop 0.075
25 Community Hall and Library 1 for 15000 0.20
26 Recreational Club 1 for 1 Lac 1.00
27 Music, Dance & Drama Centre 1 for 1 Lac 0.10
28 Socio-cultural Centre/Exhibition-cum-fair ground 1 for 10 Lac 12.00
29 Club Houses 1 for 1 Lac 0.40
30 Museum - 2.5
31 Community Centre/Janjghar/Banquet Hall 1 for 15000 0.60
32 Botanical /Zoological Park 1 for 1 Lac 20.00
33 Exhibition Area(s) 1 for 1 to 10 Lac 4.00
34 Cinema/Cineplex 1 for 1 Lac 0.30
35 Multiplex 1 for 1 Lac 0.60
36 Stadia/Sports Centre/Sports Complex 1 for 1 Lac 20.00
37 Playfield 1 for 25000 1.00
38 Mini-Playfield 1 for 15000 0.50
D Distribution Services
39 Post & Telegraph Office 1 for 1.5 Lac 0.20
40 Post Office 1 for 40000 0.10
41 Telephone Exchange (20,000 lines) - 1.50

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Development Code

42 LPG Godown 1 for 50000(500 cylinder capacity) 0.10


43 Electricity Sub-Station 11 KV 1 for 15000 0.10
44 Electricity Sub-Station 66 KV 1 for 1 Lac 1.00
E Police and Fire Services
45 Police Station 1 for 90,000 pop 0.50
46 Police Post 1 for 40000 pop 0.20
47 Central/District Jail 1 for 10 Lac 5.00
48 Police Line - 4.00
49 Civil defence and Home Guards - 2.00
50 Police Training Institute - 5.00
51 Fire Station 1 for 90,000 pop 0.50
F Slaughter House
51 Slaughter House - 0.20
52 Abattoir - 0.50
Note:
The space standards spelt out above shall not applicable to the Government Departments wherein the cases shall be decided on case-to-case basis in the interest of public
welfare.

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ANNEXURES
Master Plan-2035
Annexures

ANNEXURE “A”
Areas declared as the local area of SDA under section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, 1970—

A) SRO-43 dated 2nd February 1971

Sl. No Name of Village Sl. No Name of Village Sl. No Name of Village


1 Rawalpora 23 Naider Gund 45 Kanipora
2 Chandapora 24 Brathna 46 Bagati Kanipora
3 Harwan 25 Parimpora 47 Baghi Mahtab
4 Banigam 26 Zainakoot 48 Kursu Padshahibagh
5 Nishat 27 Goripora 49 Bagi Barzulla
6 Theed 28 Hassanabad Shunglipora 50 Haiderpora
7 Dharbagh 29 Baghwanpora 51 Wawatch
8 Zewan 30 Noorbagh 52 Humahama
9 Paristabal 31 Dedamari Bagh 53 Wanaduri Galwanpora
10 Kadalbal 32 Bagi Chandpora 54 Chawni Padam Singh
11 Sompora 33 Dachhingam 55 Khushipora
12 Soiteng 34 Shalimar 56 Bagi Lal Pandit
13 Naugam 35 Guptaganga 57 Palapora
14 Manigam Waji 36 Panthchokh 58 Shalteng
15 Zangibagh 37 Zowra 59 Gaggar Zoo
16 Kralpora 38 Nambalbal 60 Chandihar
17 Manchua 39 Drangabal 61 Lasjan
18 Shankerpora 40 Iihha Nambal 62 Nowgam
19 Natipora 41 Gundi Chandal
20 Rawalpora 42 Suthu Kotheer Bagh
21 Rangar 43 Gogjibagh
22 Gangway 44 Dangerpora

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Annexure „B‟ to SRO 28 of 2003

DISTRICT SRINAGAR
1) Tehsil Srinagar
01 Athwajan 02 Murinderbagh
03 Danpura 04 Muftibagh
05 Inderhama 06 Burzhama
07 Saidpora 08 Chattarhama
09 Khimber 10 Gund-i-Hassibhat
11 Krishibal 12 Bari-Udar
13 Lawaypora 14 Dara
15 Sangam 16 Balahama
17 Khunmoh 18 Batapora
19 Mujgund 20 Bakshipora
21 Takya 22 Danmar
23 Danihama 24 Mulaphak
25 Mulnar 26 Malru
2) Tehsil Ganderbal
01 Wanihama 02 Dadinabug
03 Gulabbagh 04 Pandach
05 Basarbagh 06 Shuhama
07 Warapora 08 Bakra
09 Hodura 10 Alasteng
11 Khalmul 12 Nagabal
13 Rangil 14 Malshah Bagh
DISTRICT BUDGAM
3) Tehsil Budgam
01 Pirbagh 02 Sheikpora
03 Ompora 04 Sabdan
05 Batahar 06 Narkara
07 Bemina 08 Dondus

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09 Rakhi Gakarmula 10 Haripora


11 Hakarmulla 12 Haran
13 Dharamanas 14 Soyibug
15 Hanjik 16 Sharifabad
17 Hajibagh 18 Pohar
19 Doru 20 Gund-i-chakpur
21 Gurteng 22 Chowderibagh
23 Galwanpora 24 Warapora
25 Kulshipora 26 Shoparibagh
27 Khajabagh 28 Bhagindra
29 Dadach 30 Domodarkara
31 Rakhi arth(Part i) 32 Rishipora
4) Tehsil Chadura
01 Ganipora 02 Chakpur Kalan
03 Waingipur 04 Wanibal
05 Rakhi Shalina 06 Rakhi Sathu
07 Shalina 08 Seirbagh
09 Sumarbug 10 Manipur
11 Konihom 12 Taraz-e-Khud
13 Chak-i-Fatidin 14 Chak-e-Azam
15 Kabar Bagh 16 Chak-i-Badrinath
17 Goripora(near pohar) 18 Gandabal
19 Yayil 20 Khankah Bagh
21 Gotapur 22 Astanpur
23 Handalbug 24 Chattargam
25 Gopalpora 26 Dharambagh
27 Malik Gund 28 Dooniwara
29 Bonen 30 Zalwah
31 Wathura 32 Khutipora
33 Wagoora 34 Sathu-kalan
35 Gund-e-Kozweara 36 Zoonipora

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3) Tehsil Beerwah
01 Sozyeth Goripora 02 Watalpora
DISTRICT PULWAMA
1) Tehsil Pulwama
01 Chattalam 02 Kunnabal
03 Khrew 04 Khandizal
05 Muradara 06 Maij
07 Wuyan 08 Sirmuth
DISTRICT BARMULLA
1) Tehsil Sonawari
01 Tengpora 02 Sharika Mukhi
03 Chak Dewan Sahib 04 Gorthaj-Ghat
05 Khush Bagh 06 Gund-e-Hirat
07 Rakhi Arth(Part ii) 08 Ranbirgarh partapgarh.

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Annexures

B) Annexure to notification SRO 429 dated 21-10-2014 (Annexure A)

Sl. No. Name of Settlement /Revenue Village Khasra /Survey. Nos.(including entire settlement)
A) SRINAGAR DISTRICT
I. Srinagar North Tehsil
1 Faqir Gujri 1-146
2 Saidpora Bala 1-520
3 Anchar 1-4447
4 Takunwaripora 1-2086
II. Srinagar North Tehsil
5 Panjinara (Abdullah Pora) 1-612
B) GANDERBAL DISTRICT
I. Ganderbal Tehsil
A) Ganderbal Local Area falling in Ganderbal Tehsil
6 Ganderbal M.C.
I. Duderhama 1-1001
II. Beehama 1-885
III. Fatehpora 1-744
IV. Gangerhama 1-361
7 Darend 1-201
8 Shahpora: 1-324
9 Bandi bagh 1-180
10 Sarch chaudari bagh 1-864
11 Arch 1-617
12 Malarpora 1-224
13 Tulmulla 1-4737
14 Saloora 1-3882
15 Kujar 1-811
16 Rakh-i-kujar 1-276
17 Harran 1-601
18 Rakh-i-harran 1-1967
B) Areas other than Ganderbal Local Area falling in Ganderbal Tehsil
19 Badhra kund 1-717
20 Kurag 1-1433
21 Gadurah 1-285

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22 Shalabug 1-2802
23 Chhandna deh nauabad 1-1349
24 hatbur 1-1189
25 Gogajhigund 1-492
26 Gund rahman 1-938
27 Hakim gund 1-478
28 Kastooripora 1-195
29 Shekhapur ( gondmumin) 1-489
30 Sehpora 1-2575
31 Devpora 1-1129
32 Koha gund ( koka gund) 1-545
33 Rabitar gund roshan 1-1953
II. Lar Tehsil
A) Ganderbal Local Area falling in Lar Tehsil
34 Wahidpora 1-666
B) Areas other than Ganderbal Local Area falling in Lar Tehsil
35 Thuru 1-948
36 Bardala 1-398
37 Dangarpur 1-130
38 Khranihama 1-541
39 Rapore 1-826
40 Wandhama 1-317
41 Barsu 1-1546
42 Krahama 1-1438
43 Zarigund 1-163
44 Latiwaza 1-315
45 Rakh rabitar 1-841
46 Wakhura 1-2068
47 Nawab bagh 1-345
48 Gazahama 1-504
49 Khanpora 1-385 b
50 batpora 1-995
51 Baghi-i-dab 1-35
52 Dab 1-1537
53 Gamwar 1-351
54 Naranbagh 1-275
C) BANDIPORA DISTRICT

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I. Sonawari Tehsil
55 Shadipur/sharda pora 1-411
56 Sarai dangarpur 1-1517
57 Gund-i-khalil 1-1102
58 Trigam 1-1171
59 Malikpur 1-183
60 Wudin 1-994
D) BAAMULLA DISTRICT
I. Pattan Tehsil
61 Mirgund 1-1002
62 Marichmar 1-210
63 Chanabal 1-598
64 Hanjiwera 1-4074
65 Gund Khwaja Qasim 1-356
66 Kantarbug 1-352
67 Habaq Tango 1-436
68 Arampora 1-315
69 Matipur 1-4740
70 Singpura 1-885
E) BUDGAM DISTRICT
I. Beerwah Tehsil
71 Narbal 1-803
72 Gagharpur 1-506
73 Chak Kowus (Kawsa Khalisa) 1-1455
74 Gund-I- Khalil 1-209
75 Yarigund 1-311
76 Kowus (Kawsa Jagir) 1-13350
77 Naupur 1-139
78 Lohar Chal 1-54
79 Hardo Wamin 1-87
80 Rus (Rassoo) 1-869
II. Budgam Tehsil
a) Budgam Local Area falling in Budgam Tehsil
81 Budgam M.C. 1-1511
82 Khanpora 1-859
83 Warpora 1-103
84 Zoorigund 1-739

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85 Tekipora 1-114
86 Zooribagh 1-89
87 Patway 1-668
88 Choon 1-719
89 lakhrapora 1-924
90 Vitervainie 1-721
91 Nasirullah Pora 1-749
92 Kadipora 1-267
93 Defpur 1-181
94 Dardpora 1-355
95 Razwan &rDangarpora 1-1227
96 Surad (uninhabited) 1-102
97 Mamat 1-508
98 Nagrad Khah 1-404
99 thokerpora 1-152
100 Huru 1-295
101 Mahwara 1-688
102 Johama 1-245
103 Reshipora 1-522
104 Pallar 1-1356
105 Bodan 1-511
106 Mirgund 1-187
107 Chak-i-Kali Khan 1-368
108 Ichgam 1-2132
b) Areas other than Budgam Local Area falling in Budgam Tehsil
109 Arath 1-1657
110 Chawa 1-700
111 Gotapora 1-1327
112 Shopribagh 1-62
113 Wadwan 1-1591
114 Nayadgam 1-456
115 Chatabug 1-618
116 Kamanpur (kamahopur) 1-100
117 Paimas 1-871
118 warsangham 1-689
119 Haripura 1-826
120 Harjigund 1-102

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121 Krahama 1-385


122 Naru 1-1100
123 Ichkot 1-1481
124 Bagh Sahib Ram 1-93
125 Gudasuthu 1-1125
126 Lalgam 1-833
127 Lalgund 1-207
128 Chitru dangerpora 1-605
III. Chadoora Tehsil
129 Gulnaz 1-1015
130 Ganji bagh 1-203
131 Bachroo 1-602
132 Bagh bachroo 1-454
133 Bulbul Pora (lang panzan) 1-134
134 Repora namthal 1-1089
135 Chakpora ( hardu chit chockpora) 1-882
136 Bugam batpora 1-1839
137 Sanzipora 1-550
138 Kuthipora 1-1200
139 Khanda 1-1424
F) PULWAMA DISTRICT
I. Pulwama Tehsil
140 Lolipora 1-356
141 Nihama 1-2397
142 Khadarmoh 1-1930
143 Marwal 1-849
144 Sethargund 1-775
145 Wukh (Okhoo) 1-1037
146 Kakapora 1-1566
147 Wudiora 1-521
II. Awantipora Tehsil
148 Kanyilbagh (Kanlibagh) 1-436
149 Wudipora (Udipora) 1-521
III. Pampore Tehsil
150 Barsu 1-3805
151 Lethpora 1-7511
152 Aloochibagh (Karnabal) 1-165

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Annexures

153 Samboora 1-4539


154 Patalbug 1-2821
155 Chandhara 1-3417
156 Krunts (Kranchu) 1-1605
157 Dus (Dussu) 1-1676
158 Gundabal 1-407
159 Lodu (ladhu) 1-4654
160 Mandikpal 1-596
161 Ondrus (Androosa) 1-871
162 Shar shalli 1-3325

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ANNEXURE-B
1. List of ASI Protected Monuments
Sl. No. Name of Monument / Site Location
1 Monolithic Shrine Khrew
2 Remains of Ancient Temple Khrew
3 Remains of Ancient Temple Pampore
4 Pathar Masjid Zaina Kadal
5 Ancient Temple Bohri Kadal
6 Tomb of Zain-ul-Abedin's mother Zaina Kadal
7 Khankah of Shah Hamdan Shah Hamdan
8 Mulla Akhund Shah's Mosque Kathi Darwaza
9 Gates in the Rampart of the fort Fort
a) Kathi Darwaza Kathi Darwaza
b) Sangeen Darwaza Sangeen Darwaza
10 Ancient Temple Hari Parvat
11 Ancient sites and Remains Burzahom
12 Ancient Monastery and Stupa Harwan
13 Group of arched terraces / structural complex Pari Mahal
14 Shankaracharya Temple Kothi Bagh / Durganag
15 Ancient Site Pandrethan
16 Excavated Remains Pandrethan
17 Pandrethan Temple Pandrethan
18 Ancient Temple Lodu

2. State Protected Monuments


i. Hari Parbat Fort
ii. Hari Parbat Wall (Kalai)
iii. Mosque and Tomb of Madin Sahib, Hawal
iv. Old Ceremonial, Old Secretariat
v. Thagbab Sahib, Safa Kadal
vi. Historical Tomb, Soura

February, 2019 11 Town Planning Organisation, Kmr

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