Omar Abdullah: Raise e-bus frequency, include hospitals on routes
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday emphasised the importance of strengthening town planning efforts to address urban growth effectively. Abdullah conducted a comprehensive review of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) here at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
The review meeting aimed at evaluating the department’s progress, identifying challenges and setting priorities for urban development projects, said an official spokesperson. The meeting was attended by Adviser to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo among others.
During the meeting, Abdullah emphasised on the importance of strengthening town planning efforts to address urban growth effectively.
“The effectiveness of our town planning will determine the future liveability of our cities,” he said while stressing that urban planning must be resilient to meet the needs of the growing population.
Several discussions also focused on organisation-specific issues, policy reform initiatives and updates on projects implemented by Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited, the spokesperson said.
The Chief Minister reviewed detailed project proposals and their current status, urging prompt action and accountability to drive visible progress.
Regarding the e-bus project under FAME-II and the PM e-bus Sewa scheme, he directed an increase in e-bus frequency on several routes and instructed that the routes be expanded to include key hospitals.
“Citizens need reliable and accessible transport options. Connecting e-buses to hospitals and high-demand areas is essential for a responsive urban transport network,” he said.
The spokesperson said discussions spanned across central funding for various schemes and departmental needs, besides the key issues including policy gaps, outdated master plans and overlapping mandates of development authorities.
The meeting highlighted the concerns about rationalising human resources and ensuring the long-term viability of Smart City initiatives. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a holistic and sustainable urban development approach, aiming for enhanced quality of life for all urban residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
