AWANTIPORA, SEPTEMBER 20: Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development department, Mandeep Kaur, today visited Urban Local Body Awantipora and convened meeting at Mini-Secretariat here to discuss formulation of Master Plan for Awantipora town.
The Commissioner Secretary was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom; Director, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) New Delhi, Prof. Virendra Kumar Paul; Director Urban Local Bodies, Qazi Sarwar; Town Planner Kashmir, Bilquees Jeelani; Prof. R. Biwas and other officers.
During the meeting, Mandeep Kaur held 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.
The Commissioner Secretary outlined 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.
This meeting served as a kick-starter for the formulation of the Awantipora Master Plan, laying the groundwork for a coordinated and inclusive urban development strategy.
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 AIIMS Awantipora.
At these locations, the Commissioner Secretary interacted with institutional representatives and concerned officials, who apprised the Commissioner Secretary 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.
Earlier, as part of ongoing Sewa Parv Celebrations, Mandeep Kaur participated in a Mega Public Outreach Camp organised at Mini-Secretariat Awantipora.
The Commissioner Secretary inspected stalls set up by multiple departments like 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.
The Commissioner Secretary also inspected the mega medical camp organised under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan.
On the occasion, entitlements were also distributed among beneficiaries, besides a blood donation camp was also held by the Health Department.
