CM Omar Abdullah calls for sustainable urban growth

Srinagar, Oct 29: Reviewing the functioning of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) initiatives, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday called for sustainable urban growth and championed resilient town planning.

During the meeting at the civil secretariat in Srinagar, the CM conducted a comprehensive review of the H&UDD and emphasised the importance of strengthening town planning efforts to address urban growth effectively.

“The effectiveness of our town planning will determine the future livability of our cities,” he said stressing that urban planning must be resilient to meet the needs of the growing population.

The CM reviewed detailed project proposals and their current status, urging prompt action and accountability to drive visible progress.

During the meeting, several discussions also focused on organisation-specific issues, policy reform initiatives, and updates on projects implemented by Srinagar Smart City Limited and Jammu Smart City Limited.

Regarding the e-bus project under FAME-II and the PM e-bus Sewa scheme, he directed an increase in e-bus frequency on city routes and instructed that the routes be expanded to include key hospitals. “Citizens need reliable and accessible transport options. Connecting e-buses to hospitals and high-demand areas is essential for a responsive urban transport network,” the CM said.

The meeting also included reviews of major urban development schemes such as CITIIS 2.0, AMRUT 2.0, PMAY (Urban), the National Urban Livelihood Mission, and the National Clean Air Programme.

The CM encouraged the department to address bottlenecks in project implementation.

“Efficient execution of these programmes can transform our cities into cleaner, more sustainable spaces for all residents,” he said.

The CM reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a holistic and sustainable urban development approach, aiming to enhance the quality of life for all urban residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

The review meeting aimed at evaluating the department’s progress, identifying challenges, and setting priorities for urban development projects.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD Mandeep Kaur, Divisional Commissioners of both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, and Commissioners of Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations.

The review meeting commenced with a detailed presentation by Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur, who outlined the functioning of H&UDD and its affiliated organizations.

Discussions spanned across central funding for various schemes and departmental needs besides the key issues including policy gaps, outdated master plans, and overlapping mandates of development authorities.

The meeting also highlighted the concerns about rationalising human resources and ensuring the long-term viability of Smart City initiatives.