GUWAHATI: The Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA) has shown strong support for the state government’s initiative to establish the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA). This authority aims to plan, finance, and develop satellite cities in the vicinity of Guwahati.
AREIDA President PK Sharma emphasized the importance of constructing a well-planned satellite city near the Guwahati airport to alleviate pressure on the main city. He noted that this initiative is critical for decongesting the area and accommodating projected population growth. “With the Guwahati Metropolitan Area’s population expected to reach 4 million during the Master Plan period, sustainable urban development is essential,” he stated.
Sharma highlighted that urbanization is pivotal to India’s economic progress, with forecasts suggesting that urban areas will generate nearly 75% of the nation’s GDP by 2030. In this context, he mentioned that well-planned satellite cities, underpinned by strong core and supporting infrastructure, are crucial for orderly growth, better quality of life, and increased economic opportunities.
He also praised the Assam Town Planning Scheme (TPS) and Land Pooling Schemes introduced by the government, calling them landmark strategies aimed at transitioning from forced land acquisition to a more equitable system of land pooling and reconstitution.
Sharma noted that similar models have been effectively implemented in several other states, and the association believes that Assam stands to gain significantly by adopting and modifying these successful approaches.
Furthermore, he urged authorities to involve stakeholders like AREIDA from the planning phase. “The real estate and infrastructure sector will be responsible for executing these projects. Thus, meaningful consultation with industry stakeholders during planning is vital for the success of these ambitious initiatives,” he concluded.
