Tanvir Sadiq calls for Kerala-style Urban Commission to manage rapid urbanisation

Kochi, Sep 12: Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and MLA from Zadibal, represented the Chief Minister of J&K, Omar Abdullah, at the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 on Friday, calling for the establishment of an Urban Commission in J&K inspired by Kerala’s pioneering model.

The conclave was inaugurated by Union Minister for Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, along with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Minister for Local Self-Government B.L. Rajesh.

Speaking at the event, Sadiq highlighted the urgent need for a dedicated institutional framework to manage rapid urbanisation in Jammu and Srinagar. “It feels truly special to travel from the Paradise on Earth to God’s Own Country,” he said, adding with humour, “Though I must confess, the Gods here in Kerala seem to have done a slightly better job in organising cleanliness than the angels in Kashmir! In Kashmir, we offer kahwa to our guests, and in Kerala, you offer filter coffee. Maybe if we combine both, we’ll end up brewing the perfect urban policy.”

On a serious note, he lauded Kerala for being the first state in India to establish an Urban Policy Commission, describing it as “a bold step that places citizens and communities at the heart of urban planning, setting a global benchmark aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Sadiq drew parallels between Kerala and Kashmir, noting that both regions rely heavily on tourism, natural beauty, and fragile ecology. He highlighted recent urban sustainability initiatives in Srinagar, including the creation of 1.15 lakh square metres of green spaces, planting of one lakh saplings, development of a six-hectare urban forest, vertical greening on flyovers, 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection, 70 per cent waste segregation, and ongoing bio-mining of legacy waste at Srinagar’s 123-acre landfill.

He also emphasised the importance of climate resilience in urban planning, citing the devastating floods that have impacted both Kashmir and Kerala in recent years.

Concluding his speech, Sadiq said, “Policies endure only when people believe they are a part of them. Urban democracy is not just a concept; it is the foundation of sustainable cities. From Paradise on Earth to God’s Own Country, I carry with me the hope that dialogues like this will translate into greener, fairer, and more inclusive cities. In Kashmir, we say a good cup of kahwa can solve many problems. After being here, I am convinced a good conclave in Kerala can solve a few as well.”