JAMMU: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Local Centre observed World Habitat Day at Channi Himmat, Jammu, by organising a seminar on the theme “Adequate Housing for All”, which witnessed the participation of engineers, professionals and members of civil society.
Er Lalit K. Mengi, FIE, former Managing Director, J&K Housing Board, Government of J&K, was the chief guest, while Er Anil Kumar Pandohi, FIE, former Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Pir Panjal, was the guest of honour. Er Anil Verma, FIE, Chairman, IEI Jammu Local Centre, presided over the function.
In his welcome address, Er Anil Verma highlighted the challenges of providing adequate housing and referred to Dharavi in Mumbai as one of the world’s largest slum settlements. He suggested that stakeholders could jointly develop at least half a square kilometre of the area through vertical tower construction as a pilot project to provide better housing facilities to its residents.
Five technical papers on the seminar’s theme were presented by Er P.K. Nanda, Er Gopal Krishan Sharma, Er B.L. Rawal, Er Joy Ganjoo and Er Ranjeev Sawheny, covering various aspects of adequate housing and urban development.
Guest of honour Er Anil Kumar Pandohi called upon engineers and planners to work towards the upliftment of underprivileged sections of society by developing techno-economic schemes aimed at improving access to adequate housing.
Chief guest Er Lalit K. Mengi stressed the need for modern engineering practices to ensure the construction of safe and resilient structures. He said adequate housing should be implemented in its true spirit to ensure affordable and durable housing for all.
Mengi also expressed concern over what he described as unplanned development of colonies by private developers in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly where large tracts of land are acquired and developed without adequate consideration for wider planning requirements. He said such practices could affect government planning and result in shortcomings for prospective residents, including inadequate road widths and other essential infrastructure.
He called for appropriate government action to discourage such practices and urged people to place confidence in planned development and policies aimed at ensuring equitable housing facilities.
The proceedings were conducted by Er Avneet Gupta, FIE, Honorary Secretary, who also presented the vote of thanks to the participants and media representatives for their presence and participation.
