GAYA: The state government has imposed a ban on all construction activities and land transactions in certain areas of Gaya district as part of its ambitious satellite township development initiative and a long-awaited master plan to manage future urban growth. This prohibition, aimed at preventing unregulated development in designated planning zones, will remain in effect until March 31, 2027, as per an official notice.
The government decree specifically prohibits construction and land transactions in two wards of the Gaya Municipal Corporation (GMC) — ward numbers 29 and 46 — along with 20 wards of the Bodh Gaya Nagar Parishad. Ward 29 is situated on Gaya’s western outskirts, while ward 46 is located in the city’s southern sector.
Officials indicated that the restrictions are hitting the Bodh Gaya Nagar Parishad particularly hard, with 20 of its 33 wards affected. This ban is intended to halt uncontrolled development in regions earmarked for the new master plan and satellite township framework, which aims to ensure orderly urban growth.
Authorities have not yet evaluated the impact of the ban on significant ongoing projects, such as the Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bodh Gaya. They noted that the new master plan would need to integrate the existing corridor development proposals, with further insights expected soon.
Additionally, the ban extends to 80 revenue villages across three community development blocks: Gaya Town, Bodh Gaya, and Paraiyya. The Bodh Gaya block is the most affected, facing restrictions in 55 revenue villages, while Gaya Town has 19 revenue villages impacted, and Paraiyya the least, with only six villages under the ban.
Within the GMC area, the restrictions also encompass Magadh Colony and Shastri Nagar. Among the villages affected in Gaya Town is Hario village, which is strategically significant due to ongoing land acquisition for the Gaya airport runway extension.
Airport officials explained that the current runway measures 2,285 metres in length and 45 metres in width, which is inadequate for accommodating wide-body aircraft. To facilitate such operations, a minimum extension of 500 metres in length and 15 metres in width is required.
Local experts pointed out that Gaya’s last master plan is from the 1960s. Lalji Prasad, a former member of the GMC standing committee, emphasized that this outdated plan lapsed over two decades ago, highlighting the urgent need for the current planning initiative.
