JAIPUR: The state government is conducting feasibility studies to develop satellite towns following a recent Budget announcement, as stated by Urban Development and Housing Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra.
“We are in discussions with a multinational company to establish satellite towns around Jaipur. We aim to complete the feasibility within a few months,” Kharra remarked.
Senior officials from the Urban Development and Housing department indicated that these planned townships aspire to mirror projects like Gujarat’s GIFT City and Hyderabad’s HITEC City. The targeted small towns include Bassi, Bagru, Chomu, and Kotputli.
An official noted, “The concept of satellite townships was introduced in the 2024-25 state budget—being the first budget from the current BJP government. To support this initiative, the government made amendments to the township policy, aligning it with successful models from neighboring states.”
Kharra also mentioned that once the locations and plans are finalized, new feasibility reports will assess transport connections to these towns.
“Plans are underway to link the proposed towns within 20-40 km of Jaipur with the metro system. However, we will make a final decision after analyzing the feasibility reports,” Kharra added.
He further clarified that the proposition to extend the metro from Badi Chaupad to Transport Nagar has not been dismissed. The Jaipur Metro Railway Corporation is currently assessing the viability of this extension.
“The main issue with the proposed extension is the proximity of the stations. We’re surveying whether the current stretch can be feasible by adjusting the station locations or if a new route to Galta Ji Temple from Badi Chaupad via Hawa Mahal Road is more appropriate,” the minister concluded.
Times View: The initiative to construct a satellite town near Jaipur, as detailed in the Jaipur Development Authority’s Master Plan 2025, is a promising approach. However, it is crucial for the state government to prioritize infrastructure improvements across all Urban Local Bodies. Establishing strong road connectivity between proposed satellite towns, like Chomu, and major cities such as Jaipur is vital. Without these foundational upgrades, the potential advantages of the satellite town may not be fully realized, hindering regional development and integration.
