LUCKNOW: The state government has approved GIS-based master plans for 56 of the 59 cities in the region.
Only the plans for Kanpur, Rampur, and Ghaziabad are still pending approval.
With the aim of creating unified digital geo-referenced base maps and land use maps for the Amrut cities, housing department officials will have access to thematic maps and sector-specific databases.
“Utilizing geospatial data enables urban planners to gain insights into development strategies, transportation hubs, geographic features, regional interconnections, and other key aspects of city planning,” stated a senior official from the housing department.
Officials mentioned that a final review for the Ghaziabad and Kanpur master plans is set for the next two weeks, after which both housing authorities are expected to receive approval for implementation in their designated areas.
The master plan for Rampur is anticipated to be addressed in the coming weeks, as added by the official.
The state government had established a deadline of December 31 last year for the approval of master plans for all 59 cities. The town and country planning department was tasked with this responsibility. Approval of the GIS master plans is essential for securing central government grants.
However, the scope of work for the consultants involved in preparing the plans was expanded to include city logistics, transit-oriented zone demarcation, green and blue pathways, and transportation and mobility strategies on the GIS platform, among other elements.
“Adjusting the original project scope for consultants and urban planners led to some delays in finalizing the plans,” an official noted.
