Shadow of ‘Failed Plans’ on Jammu Master Plan-2032

Implementation needs political will, curbing of illegal construction

Though the long-pending approval to the Master Plan-2032 by the state Cabinet recently has generated hope among the inhabitants of the temple city of major infrastructure rejig during the next decade, the legacy of ‘failed master plans’ since 1974 could cast its shadow on the ambitious projects.
The first 20-year plan for Jammu was announced in 1978 and another one in 2004 but the city has emerged as most unplanned city in north India due to corruption, lack of foresight on the part of political leaders and mushrooming of illegal colonies since 1990.
Even after 40 years, the city is without a proper site for disposal of solid waste, a dedicated public transport system, flyovers and road infrastructure and no clear plan to divide city into commercial and residential areas. However, the new plan has set ambitious goals.
It is pertinent to mention here that the first master plan was prepared for the period 1974-1994. Thereafter, the Master Plan-2021 was notified in 2004 for planned development but was set for revision as it had missed several parameters which was reset to 2032.
A senior official in the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) said the government had set ambitious targets but to achieve these there was a need for complete transformation of administrative structure and existing urban laws.
“For political gains, successive governments allowed encroachments on Nazool land and did not allow us to take action, non-implementation of zonal plans, gross violation of prescribed land use, poor enforcement of development controls and lack of timely review, leading to the mess,” the official said.
The Jammu Local Planning Area under the revised Master Plan-2032 will be spread over an area of 652.33 sq km, including the Municipal Corporation of Jammu, Municipal Committees of Ghomanhasan, Bishnah, Bari Brahmana and Vijaypur. Total villages included in the revised plan will be 324, including 103 in the extended local area of the JDA.
“The master plan should have come 10 years ago. As a citizen, I think targets can never be achieved. The government should first clear the mess in the city and ensure existing projects are completed,” said Capt (retd) Anil Gour, president, Association for Self-Help and Awareness, an NGO.
Till 2003, the city had an area of just 32 sq km and in 2003, the government approved the city limits to 112 sq km. The old city comprising 23 wards, was divided into 48 wards and 23 new wards were added thus raising the total number of wards to 71, which are being managed by the MC.
“The plan could unleash devastation on green cover of Jammu as new areas will be included. Planners have to keep in mind the environmental impact of the development and balance it unlike the way destruction of forest cover has been done in the last two decades”, said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist.