Sajidah Yousuf
Srinagar, Sep 21: Authorities have projected that nearly three lakh additional houses would be required in the next two decades for the inhabitants of Srinagar city.
According to the approved Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) Master Plan 2035, “For additional future population and meeting the backlog of about 0.12 lakh units, about three lakh houses will be required over the next two decades.”
The SMR reads that on the projected population of 28.50 million by 2035, the estimated housing stock is projected around 5.93 lakh dwelling units against existing housing supply of dwelling units in 2011.
The official document further states, “To harmonize the residential development, the master plan envisages re-densification of low and medium density areas especially along the North-South axis.”
“Over and above, the Master Plan envisages additional 10% housing (25000 DUs) for floating population, move population and for the rehabilitation of those affected by the implementation of Master Plan proposals which shall have to be catered to in phased manner”, the master plan reads.
As per the master plan, “Housing in Srinagar is a people‘s activity with the informal private sector investments, accounting for more than 90 percent of the total investment.”
“While housing shortage is modest in terms of new construction, the problem is more serious in terms of affordability as well as up-gradation of existing housing stock of 24 percent,” it reads.
The master plan proposes that not less than 70 percent of the housing demand shall be met through government interventions, private developers and housing co-operatives. “The main objective of the master plan is to not only meet the housing demand but also improving the quality of neighborhoods.”
“Development of allied housing, infrastructure including utilities and services in residential neighborhoods is far below the standards when compared with the growth of housing. Social services, especially for the poor, women, children and elders are comprehensively missing in almost all residential neighborhoods,” reads the master plan.
The authorities have also mentioned that the approach lanes are very narrow and winding, often non-trafficable for bi-directional movement.
“In view of the issue, the master plan envisages housing for all by 2035 through the development of self-contained residential neighborhoods’ across all sections of society”, it reads.
