*Govt intends to establish Satellite Township to check unplanned urban expansion: J&K Govt*

Jammu, Mar 08 : Jammu & Kashmir Government on Monday said that it intends to establish satellite township in the Union Territory to check unplanned urban expansion and to meet housing needs of people.

Replying to a question of MLA Pulwama Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para, Chief Minister, who is in charge of Housing and Urban Development Department, according to the news agency— said that “Yes the government intends to establish satellite township in J&K. We want to check the unplanned urban expansion and meet housing needs of the people.”

The CM said that the Housing Board has identified 1298.28 kanals of land at nine places in J&K for satellite township in J&K.

Of which, 30 kanals have been identified at Padgampura (Pulwama), 200 kanals at Watapora( Bandipora), 85 kanals at Bhalwal( Jammu), 81.48 kanals at Chnagrah(Kathua), 353.35 kanals at Chatterhama( Srinagar), 214 at Bakoora(Ganderbal), 248.65 at Chak Bhalwal( Jammu), 69 kanals at Chowdhai( Jammu) and 16. 80 kanals at Kanuyian( Poonch).

Asking supplementary questions, MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para said that the idea of township is scary and fuels fears of demographic engineering and environmental disasters.

“ The government should come clear on the definition of people of Jammu and Kashmir as it is very vague,” he said.

Para said the government’s admission about setting up satellite townships is contrary to the CM’s earlier statement that no proposal for satellite townships is under consideration—