GCC welcomes CS’s call to stop unplanned expansion of cities

Srinagar, Sep 28: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), J&K, have expressed concern over the unplanned and haphazard expansion of cities and towns in the region.

The GCC urged the formulation of master plans for all cities, towns, and tourism development authorities in J&K at the earliest and called for strict restrictions on the conversion of agricultural land for construction purposes.

The GCC welcomed the recent meeting held by the Chief Secretary with concerned officers in this regard and sought immediate measures from the UT Government.

Additionally, the GCC demanded policy initiatives from the UT Government to incentivize the construction of apartment buildings for housing, in preference to individual houses, which occupy a significantly larger area on a per capita basis.

The GCC also called for locating new colonies at higher elevations on uplands to reduce pressure on plain paddy and agricultural land. Furthermore, the GCC decided to raise this issue in its forthcoming meeting with the Chief Secretary.