ASHOK SINGH SOODAN
Planner and Engineer
Ashok Singh Soodan, a Planner and Engineer, holds an M. Tech in Master Planning with a specialization in Environmental Planning (1995) from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, and a B.E. in Civil Engineering (1985) from Regional Engineering College, Srinagar, Kashmir (now N.I.T Srinagar). With over three decades of service in the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, his career also includes significant contributions to externally funded initiatives in J&K by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. His expertise spans urban infrastructure development and planning, flood resilience and disaster recovery, and projects involving development Geographical Information System (GIS) for urban planning and development.
His primary responsibilities involved contributing to the sub-project: Reconstruction and Strengthening of Critical Infrastructure under the World Bank–funded Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP). In this role, he successfully led and coordinated a diverse team comprising the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the Consultants, Environmental & Social Experts, and World Bank specialists. Together, they oversaw the reconstruction of numerous government schools in the Jammu region that had been severely damaged by the devastating rains and floods of September 2014, ensuring the adoption of a disaster-resilient approach throughout the process.
In addition to the above, he also contributed to the J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency on a multi-disciplinary project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), focused on restoring urban infrastructure in Jammu city. In this capacity, he successfully led the execution of the Development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) for Jammu city, which later became a vital tool for planning and developing water supply systems as well as comprehensive urban development plans for the city.
Earlier in his career, he worked briefly on two significant projects: i) Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries—a district-wise program initiated by the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi, in technical collaboration with GTZ, Germany, focusing on environmental considerations; and ii) Preparation of Zonal Plans for the Patnitop region under the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA).
At present, Ashok Soodan is actively engaged in social initiatives that address issues related to urban development and environmental neglect, bringing these concerns to the attention of relevant agencies and departments.
Post superannuation from Government service, Er. Soodan is associated with JNY Consulting Engineers LLP as a Senior Town Planner.