Srinagar, August 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has proposed relocating 21 major public offices from central Srinagar to the city’s outskirts as part of the Master Plan-2035, with the aim of reducing congestion and freeing up valuable urban space.
According to an ETV Bharat report, the plan envisages shifting several key administrative, security and public institutions from densely populated areas to locations outside the city centre, while converting their existing premises into tourism facilities, public spaces, parking areas and other community infrastructure.
The Master Plan Srinagar-2035, prepared by the Town Planning Organisation Kashmir, was approved on February 13, 2019, by the then State Administrative Council and notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department on March 7 that year. The plan was formulated before Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories in August 2019.
Under the plan, the Civil Secretariat has been proposed for relocation to Nowgam along the National Highway Bypass, around 10 kilometres from its present location. The existing Secretariat site would continue to function until the government decides to shift the complex.
Several other offices, including the Forest Department, Old Assembly Complex, Old Secretariat Complex, Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner offices, Directorate of School Education Kashmir, and the Agriculture and Horticulture departments at Lal Mandi, have been proposed for relocation to a Mini-Secretariat at Batamaloo.
However, the proposed Mini-Secretariat project has remained stalled after the foundation stone was laid in 2018. The project, estimated at Rs 80.26 crore, has reportedly not progressed due to lack of funds.
The plan also proposes shifting the offices of the Director Information and DIG Traffic from Polo View to Bemina, while the District Police Lines at Karan Nagar would be relocated to Noorbagh in the Eidgah area. The Veterinary Hospital at Maisuma has similarly been proposed for relocation to Noorbagh.
Among the major healthcare facilities proposed for shifting is the Chest Disease Hospital at Dalgate, which would be moved to Zewan on the city’s outskirts. Its existing premises have been proposed for conversion into a community facility centre.
The Central Jail at Badamwari, Government Psychiatric Hospital and Government Poultry Farm in the same vicinity have also been proposed for relocation to Khunmoh. Their existing sites have been earmarked for possible conversion into a Craft Centre and Disaster Cell, respectively.
The Leper Hospital and Leper Colony at Lalbazar are proposed to be shifted to locations including Khimber, Shuhama, Humchi and Saidpora, with the existing site proposed for tourism-related infrastructure.
The plan further proposes shifting the CAPD godowns at Shaheed Gunj to the Dry Port at Budgam and converting the existing site into a public park, playfield, craft centre and multilevel parking facility. The Doordarshan office near Srinagar International Airport and several other government establishments have also been earmarked for relocation.
The government has already shifted the District Court Complex to Tengpora in Batamaloo, while a new complex for the Srinagar wing of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court is being constructed at Rakh-i-Gund in Bemina.
The proposals are aimed at accommodating Srinagar’s projected urban expansion. The Master Plan estimates that the city’s built-up area could increase to around 766 square kilometres by 2035, while its population could rise from approximately 1.2 million to three million.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also stressed the need to address congestion and traffic problems in Srinagar, saying that the government would take steps to decongest the city.
However, the proposed relocation has raised concerns among residents and traders over its possible impact on businesses and livelihoods in areas currently dependent on government offices and institutions.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, KTMF spokesperson Qazi Tauseef said the government should assess the economic impact of the proposed relocations and consult trade bodies before implementing the plan. He said traders, transporters and restaurant owners could be affected by the movement of major offices away from established commercial areas.
Residents have also called for adequate planning of public amenities, including playgrounds, parking spaces and community facilities, alongside the proposed decongestion measures.
