Chapter VI

Problems and prospects of planning in city

6.1 Introduction

It can be observed from previous chapters of the study that the urban system

on is highly imbalanced as majority of the population of the valley is residing in the Srinagar city thereby stagnating the growth and development of other

urban centre's in the area. The percentage of urban population residing in Kashmir

valley is 26.92 out of which 63.49 percent are residing in Srinagar city. According to

UN projections, 45.2 percent people (about 6320 million) will live in urban areas in

India by 2025. As per UN projections, urban areas in will be marked by a

growth rate of 3.03 percent during 2015-2020 while rural areas will have a reduced

growth rate of 0.34 percent during the corresponding period (Siddhartha and

MukhaIjee, 2000: 212). Though urbanization and its consequences are a global

phenomenon, the problems are likely to be particularly acute in the less developed

areas of India. The population growth and urbanization are leading to over utilization

of resources, thus exerting pressure on the limited resources and amenities in the

city.

6.2 Objectives

I. To see the urban problems faces by Srinagar city.

11. To suggest measures for development of Srinagar city.

204 6.3 Source of data

Secondary data has been used for the present study. The data has been used from different sources like, different paper presented in various journals and the paper presented in conference of Taal 2007 held at Srinagar. The data has also been used from certain government departments like transport department, Srinagar,

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Sri nagar, Pollution Control Board, Srinagar,

City development plan, 2006 and Srinagar Development Authority. The data from a local news paper namely Kashmir Uzma has also been used.

6.4 Key issues of Srinagar city

Urbanization is largely a product of industrial revolution that took place in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Srinagar city is the largest urban entity in the entire state in terms of population and constitutes the most urbanized district as well.

It has the status of being summer capital of the state and has a centralized location value in the entire Kashmir valley. The present urban environment of Srinagar city suffers from problems of increasing traffic congestion, haphazard and unplanned growth, air pollution, housing problems, slum growth and other types of social problems. The topography and soil texture of Srinagar city does not let it expand vertically due to which the vertical growth of the city is hampered. The problems of

Sri nagar city are basically the result of either the growth of population or the physical expansion of the city. The problems of Srinagar City and its environs constituting the metropolitan area are becoming more and more critical with the increase in population and deterioration in existing level of services. The problems

205 are assuming serious propositions in all aspect of urban living and are extremely

critical in major sectors of sewerage, drainage, traffic and transportation, housing for

urban poor, conservation of natural or cultural heritage. Sewerage generated in city is directly draining or pumped into water bodies, traffic and transportation problems

have begun to impose serious constraints on orderly development and mobility rising

cost of land and construction has put lower incomes out of housing market. The city

despite having water available in plenty is confronted with acute shortage of potable

and pure water supply. Similarly large deficiencies in amenities/facilities and other

sectors have begun to impose serious constraints on the orderly and planned

development. The increased pace of urbanization· has further aggravated the

problems.

6.4.1 Degeneration of water bodies

The water bodies have been serving as sewers for a large quantity of the

waste being generated by Srinagar. SMC in one of its reports in 2009 confirmed that

44.2 percent of the waste generated does not have collectors, vanishing into water

bodies through a huge network of open drains. About 60 sewer drains pour into the

lake along the Dalgate-Saida Kadal water channel, transmitting a chunk of solid

waste. Three of the five water bodies Khushalsar, Pokhrial and Anchar are 111

terminal stage. The choked waterways put paid to any hopes of revival of the

Srinagar's famed water transport. The absence of a planning has also stretched the

surface transport in the city to limits with no or little addition or widening of roads in

206 the last century. The encroachments instigated by popular greed had deteriorated the condition of the lakes.

Oal lake is subjected to accelerated degradation due to a variety of human activities. Encroachment, silting weed infestation and indiscriminate disposal of liquid and solid wastes by the human population in lakes and on the periphery has converted this lake into a waste sink of which the solid waste is one of the constituents. The intel10r channels connecting Oal with its other basins like Nagin,

Pokhribal and Baba Oemb are choked due to the regular disposal of solid waste. The once, pristine Brari Nambal Lagoon in the heart of the city has been tumed into a garbage dump with locals throwing litter into it in tons. The Lakes and Waterways

Development Authority has miserably failed to restore the water body's lost magnificence.

6.4.2 Transport congestion

Unplanned growth and encroachments have made urban transport a complete mess in Srinagar. Traffic is emerging as one of the biggest problems facing Srinagar, with jams spread over kilometres becoming a nonn. According to TPO, Srinagar, there are 2.75 lakh vehicles registered in Srinagar and during summer the city receives another 1.15 lakh vehicles. Therefore, about four lakh vehicles are running in Srinagar alone. Out of the 1600 kilometres of city roads, 100-150 km is closed due to construction and 300-400 km of road is under illegal encroachment. Every day,

100 vehicles are registered in Srinagar city. Ownership of second hand vehicles,

207 garage vehicles, outside vehIcles are additional. This makes 36,000 additional vehicles on Srinagar roads alone every year.

6.4.3 Solid waste management

Srinagar city generates over 450 tonnes of solid waste every day and in the absence of community dustbins, garbage is dumped on roads and open spaces

(Srinagar Municipal Corporation). Sri nagar Municipal Corporation has about 2180 sanitation workers engaged for the job. SMC in its report says that an average of about 250 tonnes of waste is collected from 512 primary collection points every day.

Rest is visible on road, vacant land and nallahs. The waste collected everyday is carried by the transport fleet of dump trucks for final disposal to the Achan dumping site which is currently the single dumping site for Srinagar city. The site is approximately six kilometres from the city centre and is spread over an area of around 70 acres. The land for the waste disposal site is owned by the Government of

Jammu & Kashmir and currently under the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

However, of the 606 Kanals (30.63 hectare) of total State land area, 10 local households have encroached upon 36 Kanals (1.82 hectare) of land and are cultivating it. On the other hand, the construction of the new access road will necessitate acquisition of a total of 6.92 Kanals (0.35 hectare) of private and Mosque owned land in the Acchan area thereby affecting a total of 13 households (Economic

Reconstruction Agency, 2006: 11). The Master Plan of Srinagar city (2000-2021) has specified three additional sites for garbage dumping apart from Achan (Saidpora).

These are strategically located at Batapora (Zakura) on Northern direction of city,

208 Summerburg (Rakh Shalyna) on South East and Hakermulla (Rakh Arth) on South

West side.

Table 6.1: Physical characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) observed at different locations in Srinagar city, 2008

MSW Residential Commercial Residential Tourist cum Composite components cum commercial (dumping (percentage) commercial (Front side of site) Dallake) Biodegradable 58.69 33.62 49.58 51.24 56.31 paper Cardboard 1.54 2.68 1.93 1.44 1.38 Clothed rags 2.33 9.58 3.79 4.29 2.92 Wooden chips 2.28 2.64 2.72 1.88 2.25 Polythene 0.87 1.73 1.17 0.50 0.86 Plastic/ rubber 3.48 8.29 5.20 5.37 4.33 glass Metal scraps 1.90 4.46 2.57 4.89 2.29 Inert material 0.56 0.90 1.47 1.21 0.76 Others 28.35 36.10 3l.57 29.18 28.90 Source: Ahmad, P and Bhat, G .A., 2008

According to a survey conducted by Ahmad and Bhat (2008), on an average

149.13 grams of household solid waste is generated per person per day. It is evident

from the table that most of the solid waste comes in the form of biodegradable

resources in all the five categories). The results revealed that from residential areas,

3.48 percent of the solid waste was plastic/ rubber glass followed by clothed rags

(2.33 percent) and wooden clips (2.28). Metal scraps and card board amounted to

1.90 percent and 1.54 percent respectively. Similarly, most of the municipal solid

waste comes in the fonn of biodegradable sources for commercial, residential cum

commercial, tourist commercial and composite. The other important solid waste

comes in the form of plastic, rubber glass. Most of the recyclable material especially

209 plastic and polythene is carried away by rag pickers and the rest is loaded 10 municipal trucks and dumped at the designated site (Acchan).

The disposal of solid waste in the interior areas of the lakes has resulted in the choking of various interlinking channels. The channel passing through Jogilankar has turned into a cesspool. The disposal of solid waste has contributed a lot in deterioration of the .

Figure 57: Municipal solid waste (MSW) observed at different locations in Srinagar city, 2008

70

60 50 III 110 IV 40 ..c: • Residential III ...u 30 III Q. • Commercial 20 • Residential cum 10 commercial 0

Solid waste

Source: reference table 6.1

6.4.4 Ecological imbalance

The unprecedented growth recorded by Sri nagar over the last four decades has not only destroyed Zabarwan Mountains but also has changed the ambience in the fragile ecosystem. This change is due to deforestation and urban sprawl IS

210 demolishing the scenic beauty, reducing the forest cover, resulting in excessive soil erosion in catchment area of Harwan and Tailbal Nallahs and siltation in Dal Lake, disturbing the fragile and sensitive ecosystem of the city.

The city which had balanced land use consisting of forest, water bodies, wet lands, rich agricultural land, karewas, mountains, hillocks and built-up area, used to attract a variety of birds in large number. Wet-lands used to provide an important function of regulation of water regimes especially during floods and habitats of characteristic plants and animal communities. Many wild life species also depend on these water bodies for their survival. These wet lands Rakh-i-Nowgam, Rakh-i­

Suthu, Rakhi-Narkara, Rakh-i-Gandakh Shah, Rakh-i-Arat, Rakh-i-Palpora, Rakh-i­

Rabitar, Rakh-i-Mirgund, Rakh-i-Brari Nambal and have been threatened either by explosive spread of obnoxious weed growth, increasing pollution load or due to indiscriminate discharge of domestic effluents and run-off from agricultural fields. Besides, this rapid urbanization has also taken its toll in the form of accretion into these wet lands by way of filling and has given rise to virtual slums due to sub-standard living condition. These have attracted economically poor section of the society due to low land values. These areas also get inundated by frequent floods causing damage to property and human life.

211 6.4.5 Shrinking water bodies

Dal Lake and Nagin Lake which has reduced from around 36 sq.kms to 12.5 sq.kms on account of sewage, drainage, garbage disposal, siltation due to soil erosion, agricultural run-off and deforestation of catchment area (CDP, 2006). This process has further accelerated by the growth of floating gardens and construction of houses in and around the lake. All this has increased the process of eutrophication of the lakes and has put the very existence of these water bodies and aquatic life in danger of extinction. The situation of Achar Lake, River Jhelum, Doodhganga River is also the same.

Table 6.2: Spatial extent of lakes and wetlands of Srinagar during 1911 and 2004 S.No. Class Area in 1911 Area in 2004 (in hectares) (in hectares) 1 Open water surface 4000.50 3065.88 2 Wetlands/ marshy area 13425.86 6407.14 3 Built-up land 1745.73 10791.59 4 Others 50505.88 49413.37 Total 69677.97 69677.97

Source: Rashid, H. and Naseem, G., 2008

212 Figure 58: Land use of Srinagar city in 1911 and 2004

Area in 1911 Area in 2004 (in hectares) (in hectares)

• Wetlands/ marshy area • Wetlands/ marshy area

• Built-up land • Built-up land

• Others • Others

Source: reference table 6.2

As far as land use in Srinagar is concerned, the area under water bodies is decreasing, whereas, the built up area is increasing. According to Rashid and

Naseem (2008) nearly 13425.85 hectares of land was under marshy areas while as nearly 4000.50 hectares was covered by open water surfaces in 1911, making a total of 17426.36 hectares. The built up established was mostly on either banks of river lhelum or running from North-south of the city centre and running its spatial extent was 1745.73 hectares. However, nearly 6407.14 hectares was estimated to be lying under marshy area while as nearly 3065.88 hectares was estimated to be lying under open water surfaces during the year 2004, making a total of 9473.01 hectares.

Besides, there has been tremendous growth in the built up area during this period

213 which was estimated to be 10791.59 hectares running north-south and towards east of the city centre (Rashid and Naseem, 2008: 656). Another important impact of the loss of water bodies in Srinagar city comes in the form of relating to drainage. The

Srinagar city is facing an acute problem of drainage since these water bodies and lakes acted as sponges during floods. Over, the year it has been observed that with a continuous rain for number of days, the entire city is threatened with the flood's in river Jhelum.

6.4.6 Quarrying aDd kiln

The quarrying activities cause extensive and palpable damages to the surface land leading to total and immediate destruction of flora and fauna. It also affects the surface land by massive disfiguration of the landscape to affect human habitation and ecological balance. The quarrying operations damage the land waste dumps in the vicinity of quarries. huge void left after excavation, rapid erosion of land, slope stability problems and denudation of vegetation, silting and degradation of streams and water bodies etc.

Air pollution caused by quarrying and associated activities can be grouped into gaseous pollutants (sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, etc) and Suspended particulate matter (silica, fluorides, etc). Air pollutants from quarrying come from two types of source viz. Point and non-point source. Point sources are from drilling and blasting, loading, squaring, shaping, jet burners, crushing and screening machineties and Non-point sources are from,

214 haulage over internal and external roads and general dust blow from working areas, dumps, etc.

In Srinagar City stone quarrymg and earth excavation for brick kilns is carried out at Harwan, Panthachowk, Athwajan and Zewan areas are rendering the precious hill slopes non-usable besides leaving behind degraded land. The brick kiln areas which were initially concentrated in the south of the city in Lasjan and

Sumberbug areas have left behind huge chunks of non-usable land. This area is not fit for agriculture use because it remains water logged. The scattered abandoned brick kiln in the areas has further deteriorated/added to the problems of dereliction of land. As a result of incessant floods, brick kilns have been mushrooming indiscriminately on the Karewas of south and south-east in Chadura and Badgam areas. If this activity is not controlled, it may have dangerous consequences on the ecology of the area.

6.4.7 Air pollution

Though in Srinagar, air seems to be more or less fresh and free from pollution, however, these are some pockets where incidence of air pollution have stemmed on account of vehicular emission and dust pollution. As mentioned above, areas located in the vicinity of stone crushers suffer from acute dust pollution. Also

CBO where there is excessive pressure of vehicular traffic, acute problem of air pollution on account of emission of vehicles is assuming dangerous dimensions.

Though most of the industries located in major industrial estates in Srinagar

are non-polluting and eco-friendly but some of the industries e.g. stone crushers 215 which have come up in scattered manner in south and south-east have gradually

declined the quality of environment. The undesirable environmental effects of these

industries are noise, dust and dirt, vibration and aesthetic problems. The dust

pollution due to these industries has generated a number of health disorders among

the residents living in the vicinity. The stone crushers located in the vicinity of

residential areas and along National Highway (like some part of Zewan) need to be

immediately relocated at some other appropriate places.

Table 6.3: Air quality in the vicinity of Srinagar city

Location Suspended Particulate Matter NOX RSPM 2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 Baghi Ali Marden 121 - - 6.6 - Zakura 176 - - 5.33 - Zainakote 96 197 112 3.0 73.0 Khonmoh 217 183 161 12.0 107.0 lawahar Nagar 136 233 285 10.0 91.0 Zewan 651 - - 420-.0 - Iddgah 320 - - 15.4 - - 302 219 - 80.0 Botanical Garden 177 - - 4.0 - Dachigam National 100 -- 6.0 - Park lahangar Chowk - 525 555 - 193.0 300 - - 35.5 - Nehru Park 251 256 157 14.3 75.0 Athwajan 128 449 - 11.0 141.0 TRC 366 - - 31.7 - SKIMS - 217 114 - 105 Source: PollutlOn Control Board, Snnagar, 2008

There has been an increase in the amount of suspended particulate matter

[SPM] levels in some areas (table 6.3). Most polluted comers of the city fall within

the belt which is near to its main road (by pass). The increase in suspended

particulate matter in these areas is the result of enormous pressure of vehicles in 216 these areas and it includes the important areas of Zainakote, Athwajan, Khonmoh

etc. These vehicles always carry sand, bricks and other material used especially for construction and this load is very much responsible for their high level of suspended

particulate matter. The other reason is that they areas like Khonmoh where certain

industries are present, especially those where the usage of grinders, crushers etc is very high, add a lot of dust and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Athwajan which is a commercial /industrial area has received an SPM level of 882 in

2001 [summer], because it is the period which can be called as 'period for construction'. Nearly all the construction work in Srinagar is done in summer where as it decreases in winter, as a result the levels of SPM have decreased to 420 in winter. In year 2002, it is again high, touching the permissible limit of 500, though not as high as in 2001 but still alarming. The residential areas especially lawahar

Nagar has witnessed an increase in the SPM level because heavy trucks carrying

bricks, soil etc come through bypass and through Padshahi Bagh area which is very

adjacent to it, get dispersed in other parts of the city and are contributing incredible

smoke and dust in the area resulting in an increase in SPM level. It is astonishing that

our sensitive area of Botanical garden where SPM level should have been less than

permissible limits, experienced a tremendous pressure of vehicles which has

increased its SPM level.

The oxides of nitrogen In Sri nagar city are much less, less than the

permissible limits. Whether it is an industrial, commercial or residential area, the

levels of nitrogen oxide is less. But, there has been an increase in some areas

especially Zewan and lal chowk and T.R.C . 217 Table 6.4: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) level at Pollution Control Board Srinagar city, 2005-2006

Year 2005 Year 2006 Month SPM .JJ-gI mJ Month SPM Jlg/ mJ May 158.57 January 213.73 June 201.67 February 289.86 July 127.62 March 180.27 August 185.51 April 178.13 September - May 182.46 October 161.08 June 125.46 November - July 125.67 December 499.85 Source: Pollution control board. Sri nagar. 2009

Figure 59: Bar diagram showing SPM levels in Srinagar city for the year, 2001

-- ~------~---.- - 700

- - - - . ------~ 600 -_. ------500 ----r 400 ~ 300 E - 200 ~ ..c: GI III =E z e( W J: a: .!! e( a: I- 0 e( c.:J ::::IE lII:: lII:: Z 0 .!! J: ::J 0 ~ ~ z e( a: e( ::::IE W ~ a: ::J lII:: lII:: lII:: ~ c.:J c.:J e( .., I- U Z e( e( z ~ w c c 0 Il. e( 0 Z N ~ J: ~ 1:: N Z 9 a: ::J J: GI C J: :., e( 0 Cl lII:: ~ ...I a: C. a: N c.:J c e( J: ~ e( ...I ...I W GI e( " ::::IE z c: :J ~ " e( z 8. e( III l- ::J ae( 0 UJ III III

Name of areas

Source: Reference table 6.3

218 Pollution levels are increasing in Srinagar city. The prime reason for the

increase in pollution is the ever increasing number of vehicles, which are being

added on daily basis. Pollution control board is having no jurisdiction to take action

against the drivers whose vehicles cause pollution. Office of regional transport

officer and traffic police are the agencies that can take action against the erring

drivers and the owners. But, the role of pollution control board is very important as it

provides information regarding the pollution levels of noise and smoke.

6.4.8 Drainage system

In the absence of appropriate drainage and sewerage disposal system, city's effluents are directly or indirectly drained into various water bodies. The disposal of drainage and sewerage have assumed the challenging proportions due to rapid

increase in population and coming up of unauthorized residential colonies in low

lying areas of Srinagar. It has declined the quality of water in these water bodies

besides degrading environment and generating a number of health disorders. In

addition to this, major parts of the solid wastes of the city are dumped at many places

in the water bodies particularly the River Jhelum. The pollution of land due to drain

of sewage into agricultural land has been found in Firdousabad and Mominabad

areas along Bye-Pass road. Also, the construction along the nood spill channel of

lhelum is now being utilized for residential areas which put at stake the lives of

people.

Another impOltant impact of the loss of water bodies in Srinagar city comes

in the form of relating to drainage. Over, the year it has been observed that with a

219 continuous rain for number of days, the entire city is threatened with the flood's in river lhelum.

6.4.9 Energy consumption

The nature and magnitude of energy consumption reflects the level of development as it is key input and main driving force of all economIC activities.

Contrary to the energy sources used in rural areas, use of more diversified both renewable and non-renewable sources are being used in the city. In the process of development a gradual conventional source of energy are replaced by environment friendly energy source which have, least problems of disposal and pollution.

However, in Srinagar City which still encompasses in its jurisdiction a large number of village settlements and semi-urban areas use both traditional as well as commercial energy.

According to a survey conducted by SDA, in Sri nagar city about 12.71 percent people used wood, 8.58 percent use cow-dung, 1.63 percent use coal, while as 96.45 percent people use Kerosene and 45 percent use liquefied petroleum for domestic use. One of the significant findings of the study is that even if majority of the population acquire Kerosene and LPC through public distribution system, still

82.21 percent use electricity as source of energy for domestic purpose. The study also revealed that majority of the population in outer wards viz Hazratbal, ,

Soura, Zonimar, Dal area and fringe villages use conventional sources of energy like wood and cow-dung that could be attributed to their rural characteristics where people still grow the wood for commercial and domestic energy purposes through agro-forestry practices. In the areas which are located at the foot hills of the

220 mountains and hillocks deforestation is taking place which has become grave threat to already scarce forest resources and has generated number of ill-effects on the environment.

According to the local newspaper named Kashmir Uzma, Jammu and

Kashmir State is fully dependent for petrol and diesel on the outside world. Out of the total 6.68 Lakh vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir State (Trafficinfo.2009), more than 2.43 lakh are in Kashmir valley, 4.19 lakh in Jammu and 0.063 lakh in Ladakh region. In Srinagar city alone the total number of vehicles registered as on March

2009 are 1.57 lakh out of which about 86 percent vehicles are petrol driven and only

14 percent vehicles run on diesel. According to estimates in Srinagar city, about 35 oil filling stations sell approximately 1.15 lakh liters of petrol and 80,000 liters of diesel per day which amounts to Rs 72.45 lakh and 32.08 lakh per day respectively.

Thus in Srinagar city, a whopping sum of about Rs 1.0453 crore is being spent each day for meeting petrol and diesel requirements. The annual budget on transport fuel amounts to Rs 381.53 crores. Srinagar city also looses approximately Rs 4.37 lakhs every day to traffic jams (calculations for only 20 percent of the total vehicles) wasting 20 percent of the fuel in Srinagar city in traffic jams during peak hours

(Kashmir Uzma, February, 20 II).

The existing nature, pattern and magnitude of different sources of energy in

Srinagar city as revealed through the study by Srinagar Development Authority

recommends that there should be abundant provision of commercial energy through

public distribution system to replace the wood and cow-dung as source of energy

patticularly in outer wards, town and fringe villages not only for hygiene 221 consideration but to preserve the existing forest, stock vegetative cover and ecology

of the city. Besides the change in the existing pattern and nature of energy

consumption is important in order to upgrade and improve the quality of life in these

areas. Also the abundant provision of these sources of energy through revamped

public distribution system would relieve the over-burdened deficient and over-

burdened power sector of the State from domestic pressures that could be utilized for

other productive economic and developmental ventures and would contribute to the

economic welfare of the people and better living standards.

6.4.10 Urbanization and climate change

Human health, energy and comfort are affected more by climate than by any

other element of the physical environment (Critchfield, 2004: 355). No other

organism like human beings has always influenced their environment. It is only since

the beginning of the industrial revolution in mid 18th century that the impact of

human activities has begun to extend to a much regional or continental or global

scale. Land use changes due to urbanization affect the physical and biological

properties of the earth's surface.

Table 6.5: Correlation Matrix between urban population and climatic variables:

Variable Population Rainfall Mean maximum TelllQerature Rainfall +0.40 Mean maximum Temperature -0.05 -0.943 Mean minimum Temperature -0.172 -0.88 +0.67 Source: IndIan MeteorologIcal Department, Pune

222 Figure 60: Temperature and precipitation of Srinagar city

25 700

600 20 500 C1J c: ... 0 ~ 15 400 '~ ...C1l ...C1l C1J '5. a. 300 'w E 10 C1J C1J .... I- a. 200 5 100

0 0

1971 1981 Year 1991 2001

_ Mean Maximum temperature _ Mean Minimum temperature -a-- Precipitation

Source: Indian Metrological department, Pune

Urbanization may affect the local climate through its influence on the surface roughness. It may also create a local climate substantially warmer than the surrounding area by the heat released by densely populated human settlements, by change in evaporation characteristics and by modifying the outgoing long wave radiation. This is known as urban heat island. The influence on regional climate may be noticeable but small. It may however have a significant influence on long instrumental temperature records from stations affected by expanding urbanization.

From the table 6.2, it is evident that there is a relationship between urbanization and climatic variability especially rainfall. The study also reveals that the there is a positive correlation between urban population and rainfall (+40) whereas the variables of Mean maximum temperature and mean minimum temperature does not show any significant correlation with urban population. The correlation matrix also

223 highlights a strong negative correlation between rainfall and mean maximum temperature (-0.94). The variables of rainfall and mean minimum temperature are correlated to -0.88. Also, mean minimum and mean maximum temperatures are also positively correlated to each other (+0.67). Therefore, the study reveals that there is not much correlation between the variables and urban population growth except for rainfall which has shown a positive correlation with population growth of Srinagar city.

6.4.11 Slums

According to COP (2006), about 40 percent of the city's population is constituted by economically weaker section (EWS) or lower income group (UG) and people living below poverty line. Most of these areas have turned in blighted areas.

These areas lack basic services, amenities and facilities, resulting into a series of complex environmental, social, economic problems. The socio-economic upliftment, provision of services and amenities is immediately warranted along with the provision of housing for urban poor. Most of these areas are concentrated in and around the core city. The core city especially the down-town area which constitutes roughly about 2.5 lakh population has been identified as slum areas by the Srinagar

Municipal Corporation, which include areas like Gonikhan, to Gawkadal,

Abiguzar upto right bank of River lehlum near Amirakadal, Chinkral Mahalla, Aga

Hamam, Habbakadal, Babdemb, etc. In addition, areas in the vicinity of the CBD in areas like Mehjaor Nagar, Batamaloo, , Aluchi Bagh, Solina, Old Barzulla,

Baranpathar, are areas where urban poor are concentrated in large number. These

224 areas in the absence of basic services including lanes, sewerage disposal, solid waste management, parks, play fields, provision of street lighting etc. have turned into blighted areas and demand immediate measures for environmental improvement and up gradation.

The need of the hour is sustainable development. It can't ignore the ill effects of increasing population and growing pollution on the environment. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable utilization of resources and sustainable development.

Sustainable development refers to:-

1. Utilizing the present resources keeping in mind the future needs of the

society, so as

11. It should not disturb the ecological cycle, hence, preserve the

environment.

6.5 Planning

Cities are an immense laboratory of trial and error, failure and success, in city

building and design. It is the laboratory in which city/ urban planning should have

been learning and forming and testing theories (Saunders, W.S. 2006: ix). Urban

planning refer to the institutional process of making decisions about the future and

character of land and buildings in the city (Barton and Tsourou, 2000: 9). Patrick

Abercrombie (1945) declared mottos of urban planning as health, beauty and

convenience. These encompass total well-being of people and it is the process of

democratization of our living standard (Verma, L.N . 2008: 288). Land use and

physical planning remain the core of urban planning throughout the history

(Catanese and Synder, 1988: 27). Although urban planning systems may vary from 225 country to country but the principles and goals that govern urban planning remain the

same. Efficient planning can reduce traffic congestion, curb urban sprawl and

increase the availability and convenience of public transport. Thus, planner can help ease human and environmental stress by modifying the infrastructure of an urban

area.

6.5.1 Planning for Srinagar city

Planning has an inescapable geographic basis (Sawant, 1978: 171). The major concentration of the population in cities generates number of problems for the residents of the city. Increasing population gives rise to job deficiency, shelter,

infrastructure etc. The land being limited and population increasing day by day add

to the agony by increasing the cost of the land. Cities also face problem of transport

facilities, water supply, sewage, drainage, lanes and drains etc. therefore, urban

planning is necessary if these problem are to be solved or at least mitigated. The

following measures should be taken for the proper management of the Srinagar city.

1. The roads of the city especially in the core and Central Business District is

highly congested and remained jammed in the morning and evening time. It

is the period of commuters who throng to the city for different uses: jobs,

study, business etc. The roads of the city are narrow especially in the centre

and the roads are not properly managed. Therefore, planning of traffic flow is

must for smooth and proper functioning of the roads. Evolving an efficient

network of transport system for safe and speedy mobility of goods and people

226 by development of expressway, alternative corridors, up gradation of existing

roads and road intersections is necessary.

11. To give special thrust for improving the living conditions and environment by

preservation of water bodies, conservation of cultural heritage and provision

of basic services in slum areas and comprehensive sewerage system and solid

waste management to make Srinagar a livable and sustainable city.

111. There is need to revitalize the core which is the dense part of the area. The

buildings are in poor and bad conditions. The buildings have also suffered

being one of the oldest structures of the city. Therefore, measures should be

done for development and redevelopment of the Srinagar city core.

IV. Redevelopment agency of a city undertakes urban renewal programme

(Verma, 2008: 291). Urban renewal may be possible through minor changes

or through repairs and renovation if the extent of deterioration is not much.

However, in some cases, the extreme step of pulling down of buildings and

reconstruction is necessitated. This may be due to extreme dilapidation.

v. Environmental improvement and provision of services in urban poor colonies

and slums of Dal, old downtown and in recently outgrowth centers, to

improve living condition.

227 VI. Sewerage system with provlSlon for sewerage treatment plants to ensure

disposal of natural drainage and sewage into water bodies after treatment and

save water bodies from eutrophication and pollution. Geographic information

system (GIS) should be useful tool for development of sewage system and to

measure the loss in the extent of water bodies so that measures can be

adopted to save the precious natural heritage.

Vll. A proper solid waste management is required which includes collection,

transportation and disposal system along with sanitary land-filling at

Saidapora, Acchan, the only landfill site available right now for Srinagar city

and installation of composting plant for resource recovery from the solid

waste.

VllI. Srinagar is known for its land, lakes and heritage buildings. There are certain

heritage buildings which need reservation or renovation. They including

shrines, mosques, temples, monuments, f0l1S, elements of natural heritage i.e.

water bodies and landscape.

IX. There is a need of modernized traffic signaling system to regulate traffic

movement within the city and up gradation link roads, lanes and drains etc. in

existing areas including urban poor settlements. There is a need to install

electronic traffic signals as right now there is no electronic trat1ic signal in

any paI1 of the city. 228 X. Dal Lake is under pressure due to encroachment from the people residing on

its banks. People migrate from villages and semi urban areas to Srinagar but

can't afford the costly zones of the city. Therefore, they get absorbed in these

areas leading to the shrinking of the lake. There is a need for strict provision

for the families which have encroached upon the lake. This may need

immediate dislodgement of the families to save the natural heritage.

Xl. There is a continuous pressure on land as the vertical expansion of the city is

not possible due to its soil which is very weak and thereby increases the risk

of the adjoining agricultural lands being converted into built up. Therefore,

there should be a strict provision for saving the agricultural areas of the city.

XII. The northern eastern part of the city which includes the wards of Nishat and

Harwan (also known for their gardens) is a green belt. Hence, construction of

any sort should be totally banned as it is illegal.

XliI. The roads of the city especially in the core and Central Business District are

highly congested and remain jammed in the morning and evening time. It is

the period of high traffic as commuters from all the comers of the city come

to the city for different purposes like jobs, study, business etc. The roads of

the city are highly narrow especially in the centre and the roads are not 229 properly managed. Therefore, planning traffic flow is must for smooth and

proper functioning of the roads.

6.6 Conclusion

Srinagar has remained the centre in the region from historical times but as far as development is concerned the area has not developed much which has given rise to many problems as discussed above. Most of these problems arise due to inability of the local government to generate resources to service them. Cities need higher priority in planning as they are the engines of economic growth and development.

Srinagar has not grown like Mumbai and Delhi and therefore, it can be planned in a proper manner right now not waiting for the situation to deteriorate in future. The area can be given the shape of a city like Jaipur and Ghandinagar which are one of the most planned cities of India (Verma, 2008: 292-293). Planning involves decisive effort and planned policies. Master plan prepared by the government agencies can be employed for reallocation, redevelopment and renovation as it is a written document which contains plans and policies. It can be used to give a convenient, healthy and beautiful shape to the city.

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