By: Bhat Imran
Srinagar: Authorities have projected that at least eleven more academic colleges in Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) will be required by year 2035 to cater the student population in the city.
The official documents available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads, “About eleven additional academic colleges have to be provided by 2035 in Srinagar Metropolitan Region with one college for one lakh population respectively.”
The authorities have further said that the backlog of three Technical Education Centres of category (B) shall include an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Technical Centre and a Coaching Centre that are recommended for the planning period.
“Besides, three Engineering Colleges, and four Professional Colleges are also proposed to be established during next 20-25 years within the local area,” reads the SMR master plan 2035.
It also states that it was proposed that the locations for such higher order facilities shall be finalized as per the land use policy and Development Code of this Master Plan.
SMR master plan further reads, “Known for its serene environment and picturesque setting in the lap of Himalayas, Kashmir Valley in general and Srinagar in particular provides huge potentials for developing the city into a Knowledge Hub which shall include the development of a Cyber city and a Tech-city.”
The Srinagar Development in a final draft has said that the master plan envisages that the Government should facilitate joint ventures PPP format engaging the local entrepreneurs and the investors from country and abroad—(KNO)