Srinagar Master Plan-2035 Several govt offices, buildings to be used to cater tourist influx

SRINAGAR: Under the Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) Master Plan 2035 tourism projection the authorities have identified several government complexes and buildings for cessation of their existing functions so that they are put to some more subtle and compatible use preferably on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
As per the master plan the estimated tourist population calculated by the Department of Tourism, J&K for the year 2035 is expected to be seven million.
It is assumed that around 50% of the tourist population will be visiting Srinagar in peak [four] months during summer which implies an average of 28,000 tourists per day by the year 2035. Assuming the average two days stay at Srinagar, the city will require about 56,000 beds per day by the year 2035. Presently, the existing bed supply of Srinagar city is 42,875 impling that 13,000 additional beds will be required to cater for the tourist demand by 2035, the master plan reads.
As per the master plan the mushroom growth of hotels and guest houses which as per the government compromises the quality of tourist accommodation has drastically spoiled the aesthetics and urban design of the city.
Taking cognizance of this widespread phenomenon, the Master Plan proposes to align the tourist infrastructure by creating tourist clusters and tourist circuits for tourism infrastructure and further integrating the growth of individual hotels or guesthouses with road hierarchy, functional nodes (Airport, Railway stations, bus terminals etc as envisaged in the Landuse Plan) and potential mixed land use zones.
“Based on comprehensive suitability and potentials, new sites have been identified in different tourism zones for the development of tourist accommodation in Srinagar Local Area. Besides, office complexes/buildings are identified for cessation of their existing functions so that they are put to some more subtle and compatible use preferably on PPP mode as provided earlier in this report for the economic revitalization and improved the capital base of local authorities”, the master plan reads.
The office complexes/building are identified as Forest Department Building, Sheikh Bagh, Lal chowk Old Secretariat Complex, District Court Complex, Lal Chowk and Veterinary Hospital Maisuma, Old Assembly Hall, Budshah Bridge, Srinagar.
Divisional Commissioner/DC’s Office complex, Doordarshan complex, Official Residence of Chief Justice opposite SK Stadium other Buildings to be transformed into Hotels include those located along with Church Lane, Sonwara.
CAPD godowns at Shaheed Gunj and in addition to the heritage buildings (to be listed by the Heritage Conservation and Development Authority) within the core city, the Master Plan envisages the development of a tourist Spine along both banks of River Jhelum from Fateh Kadal to Safakadal and around the BrariNumbal lagoon to act as a gateway to the Old city.
Also as per the master plan, new diverse potential sites have been identified for expansion and diversification of tourism activities using the potential index based on the existing tourist products. The new tourism products on the basis of the potential index include Eco-Tourism sites, Agri-Tourism, Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Ancient Site, Adventure Tourism and other tourism activities.