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| Architect of 'fudged' Master Plan for Srinagar enjoys political 'influence' | | Senior officials working under junior at SDA | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 20: Some three months ago, when the revamp of Master Plan for Srinagar was in its final stages, the government transferred one of the main officials, who was leading the team of town planners, only to replace him with a town planner, who was "far below" in the seniority list and has "often been under scanner."
Sources said the official was removed from the duty of preparing the Master Plan despite his "integrity" and was replaced with an official who happens to be brother-in-law of a senior PDP leader.
Sources said the official holding a degree a town planning was transferred only because an "influential lobby comprising of some politicians and businessmen, wanted their own man to be at the helm so that their interests are taken care of in the preparation of the Master Plan."
Infact sources in SDA said the official who has been given the charge is not as qualified in town planning as his predecessor and happens to be some four positions lower in the seniority list.
"Infact there has been so much of favoritism in his transfer for the coveted post that one of the female town planners who is presently working under him is actually senior to him but no one is being allowed to raise voice as this blue eyed man is in good books of the influential calling the shot in this government," said a senior official in the Housing department.
Sources in the Srinagar Development Authority said the draft plan which was ready for printing has been "grossly altered to meet the demands of some powerful person and politicians from the ruling government who want to get some of the residential areas in Srinagar commercialized."
"The reason for the transfer of the Chief Town Planner, who is known for his integrity, was simple. He was unwilling to fell prey to influences and thus he was systematically shown the door," said a senior official in the SDA keeping track of the "unjust alterations in the Master Plan."
Sources said the height of influence is that the Master Plan draft is being shown to the powerful lobby, which wanted changes to meet their requirements before its posting on the SDA side for public scrutiny.
"Some of the residential areas are being changed into commercial areas as this influential lobby has business interests in such domains while some of the water bodies are being shown to be converted as satellite townships, something which will make Srinagar more flood prone," the officials said.
Despite repeated attempts, the incumbent chief town planner could not be contacted for comments to know the status of the Master Plan.
But a senior official in the SDA downplayed the matter saying, the draft is being finalized. "Nothing is final as such once we complete, it will be put in public domain through website while people shall be allowed to give feedback," the official said. |
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