Uttar Pradesh to Develop Master Plans for 93 Urban Local Bodies

The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the process to develop comprehensive master plans for 93 urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state. This initiative aims to streamline urban development, similar to the frameworks used by development authorities, ensuring organized land use, infrastructure, and public amenities.

First Phase of Implementation

Under the first phase of this project, authorities have begun the tendering process to select expert agencies to draft master plans for 62 Municipal Council (Nagar Palika Parishad) areas. The project costs, including agency fees, are slated to be covered under the central government's AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

• Scope: The initiative targets ULBs with populations ranging from 50,000 to 100,000.
• Process: Once selected, the agencies will assess land availability, current usage, population density, and existing civil amenities.
• Public Participation: The draft plans will be presented for public feedback, where residents can submit objections and suggestions before the finalization of the plans.

Addressing Unplanned Urbanization

Previously, the Urban Development Department lacked a formal provision for creating master plans for these specific bodies. To address this, the department incorporated sections 8 through 12 of the Housing Department's regulations into its own rules.

Principal Secretary P. Gururprasad noted that the selection of agencies is nearing completion. The goal is to curb unplanned construction by identifying specific zones for residential and commercial development, parks, and drainage systems before growth reaches critical levels. By planning for future needs in advance, the government intends to avoid the challenges of retroactive infrastructure expansion, such as widening roads or building storm drains in already congested areas.