Establish new housing colonies in Jammu, Srinagar cities: BJP to CM

Jammu, Sep 18: Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokespersons Hari Dutt Shishu and Zorawar Singh Jamwal on Thursday called upon the National Conference (NC) government and the concerned departments to take urgent and pragmatic steps to regularise already established colonies and ensure that new colonies were developed strictly in accordance with scientific and environmental norms.

J&K BJP media incharge Pardeep Mahotra also accompanied them in the press conference held at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.

Hari Dutt Shishu stressed that there was an unexpected massive loss consisting of both humans and property in the recent disaster caused by torrential rain, cloud burst, illegal mining, and the increasing vulnerability of certain areas to natural disasters. He emphasised that the growing population and migration from villages to major cities in the region posed a significant threat both to life and property, especially in the wake of changing climate patterns and increased instances of flash floods, landslides, and seismic activity.

“The people residing in long-established but unrecognized colonies are living in uncertainty. The government must take immediate action to regularise these settlements, many of which have existed for decades. At the same time, future planning must be guided by disaster management protocols and sustainable urban development models,” Shishu said.

He said that the government should immediately conduct a housing need survey to cater to the growing need for housing and also take up as a priority the proposed Town Planning Scheme (TPS) alongside Ring Road from Akhnoor road to Kot Bhalwal to cater to the rising housing needs in Jammu city.

Zorawar Singh Jamwal, while addressing the media, urged the Housing and Urban Development Department, as well as District Development Commissioners, to coordinate and conduct thorough assessments of existing colonies, especially those in vulnerable zones.

Regularisation, he stressed, should be accompanied by the provision of basic civic amenities such as water supply, drainage, waste management, electricity, and road connectivity.

Jamwal also appealed to the administration to involve urban planning experts, geologists, and disaster management authorities while designating land for new residential colonies.

“Proper planning today will save lives tomorrow. It is not just about housing, but about building a safer and more resilient Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The BJP, he reiterated, was always proactive and on its toes to accomplish the vision of the Prime Minister - 'Housing for all' and hence would continue to raise the issue through democratic and institutional platforms to ensure holistic and inclusive development of Jammu and Kashmir.