BHOPAL: On Tuesday, the House approved the Metro Area Bill, aiming to designate Bhopal, Indore, and nearby districts as metropolitan areas similar to the National Capital Region (NCR).
Urban development minister Kailash Vijayvargiya opened the debate, stating that the bill is part of a long-term plan to tackle development challenges projected over the next 25 years.
Notably, the NCR includes Delhi and adjoining regions of UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Vijayvargiya highlighted PM Narendra Modi’s vision to develop India into a prosperous nation by 2047, emphasizing that states must contribute to achieving this goal.
During Vijayvargiya’s speech about planning for sustainable growth in urban and rural areas under the metropolitan plan, Congress MLA Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat suggested that the minister should first present the Master Plan for Bhopal and Indore.
Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar noted that planning for the future is valid, even if there are delays in the Master Plans for Bhopal and Indore.
Vijayvargiya mentioned that planning needs to encompass roads, water, transport, industrial and technological growth, employment, and agriculture to avert a potential food crisis due to rising populations.
The government aims to start with Bhopal and Indore, with plans to incorporate other cities like Gwalior and Jabalpur into the metropolitan area in the future.
A high-level committee led by the Chief Minister will oversee the implementation of the 25-year development plan.
Congress MLA and former urban development minister Jaivardhan Singh highlighted that while the NCR has seen significant development, particularly in Noida and Gurgaon, there are notable environmental issues that need addressing.
He cautioned that as the metro area plan is executed in Madhya Pradesh, both developmental and environmental factors must be considered.
Singh pointed out that land congestion in the NCR contributes significantly to pollution and emphasized the potential of the metro area project in Madhya Pradesh if it focuses on industrial and technological advancement, education, transport, and environmental protection.
He also criticized the BJP government for delaying the Bhopal Master Plan since 2005, claiming that the Congress government had made progress in finalizing it before their tenure ended.
