JAMMU, Sep 26 (KINS): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has urged the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) to prioritize the provision of affordable housing for the growing urban population in Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks came during a meeting convened to assess the progress of flagship housing schemes implemented by the department.
The meeting included key officials such as the Commissioner Secretary of H&UDD, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, the Managing Director of the Housing Board, and Chief Town Planners.
Dulloo highlighted the rapid increase in urban populations, which has significantly heightened the demand for housing in cities. He stressed the importance of creating comprehensive plans to address the needs of the public, particularly the urban poor. “With the unplanned construction of houses in urban areas exerting pressure on dwindling land resources, the department bears the critical responsibility of providing affordable and organized housing solutions,” he stated.
During the discussion, the Chief Secretary reviewed the status of ongoing housing colony projects developed by the Housing Board across the Union Territory. He emphasized the need to expedite these initiatives and explore the construction of more flatted accommodations to cater to city dwellers, including students and workers.
Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur provided updates on various schemes and projects currently being executed in the UT. She emphasized that the department is committed to developing housing units in strict compliance with building bye-laws, promoting organized living, efficient space usage, and a clutter-free environment to enhance residents’ quality of life.
MD Housing Board Ashish Gupta presented an overview of housing colonies constructed in previous years and those underway in various districts. He detailed the physical and financial progress of these projects and discussed strategies to meet the needs of the rapidly growing populations in Jammu and Srinagar.
The meeting also covered the overall pace and progress of housing colonies being established under the UT CAPEX scheme, initiatives for economically weaker sections (EWS), flatted accommodations, and the development of land parcels under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modes.(KINS)
Chief Secretary Calls for Enhanced Efforts to Address Urban Housing Needs in J&K
