Pulwama, September 20: Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, today visited Urban Local Body Awantipora and convened a preliminary discussion on the formulation of the Master Town Plan for Awantipora.
She was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom in addition to a team comprising Prof. Dr. Virendra Kumar Paul, Director, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) New Delhi; Qazi Sarwar, Director Urban Local Bodies; Bilquees Jeelani, Town Planner Kashmir; Prof Dr. R. Biwas and other officials. The delegation interacted with officers of various departments during a detailed meeting at the Mini-Secretariat Awantipora.
At the outset, Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur briefed the participants about the vision of Housing & Urban Development department to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Awantipora municipality. It was informed that the plan will articulate a shared vision for the city’s future, aimed at long-term sustainable development, smart urban growth, and economic empowerment.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, presented a district profile with special emphasis on Awantipora highlighting agricultural patterns, major crops, and socio-economic characteristics of the region.
Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur and the team held a threadbare discussion on crucial urban concerns including sewerage, flood management, revenue records, transportation systems, solid waste management, youth engagement and self-employment schemes, forest and heritage conservation, disaster preparedness, and drainage planning. She also received valuable inputs from officers of the concerned departments.
The meeting was attended by ADC Awantipora, ACR Pulwama, CEO Pulwama, and officers from various district and sectoral departments, while local representatives of Awantipora town also participated and raised their issues for consideration in the upcoming master plan.
Later, Commissioner Secretary along with the team undertook a field visit of Awantipora, inspecting key infrastructure sites including the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and the AIIMS Awantipora. At these locations, the team interacted with institutional representatives and concerned officials, who apprised them about the ongoing developmental works, future expansion plans, academic and healthcare potential of these institutions, as well as the transport, water supply, drainage, and waste management systems.
This visit served as a kick-starter for the formulation of the Awantipora Master Plan, laying the groundwork for a coordinated and inclusive urban development strategy.
Earlier in the day, as part of the ongoing Sewa Parv Celebrations, a Mega Public Outreach Camp was organised at Mini-Secretariat Awantipora. Mandeep Kaur inspected stalls set up by multiple departments including Cooperatives, Agriculture, Horticulture, Revenue, KVIB, Self Help Groups, Handicrafts & Handloom, Education, Fisheries, ICDS, Animal & Sheep Husbandry. She interacted with officials, reviewed their activities, and directed them to ensure maximum outreach and service delivery under the Sewa Parv campaign. On the occasion, entitlements were distributed among beneficiaries, and a blood donation camp was organised by the Health Department.
Additionally, under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan, the Health Department organised a Mega Medical Camp, which was also inspected by the Commissioner Secretary.
