Tag: NITI Aayog

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Uttar Pradesh to Upgrade 100 Small Towns in Phase II Plan

LUCKNOW: The state government is set to initiate the second phase of the aspirational towns program, aimed at upgrading 100 urban local bodies in a phased approach. Launched in September 2023, the scheme focuses on enhancing essential services and amenities in smaller towns, with 100 of the most underdeveloped local bodies selected for funding. As the first phase concluded on March 31 after achieving its goals, the state has identified 100 additional towns, each with a population between 20,000 and 100,000. Senior officials from the urban development department announced a budget of ₹175 crores to improve civic amenities in these…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

VMRDA Launches ‘Vizag Bay City’ Coastal Project in Visakhapatnam

Representative AI image VISAKHAPATNAM: Following NITI Aayog’s proposal for the development of ‘Vizag Bay City’ as a 40-sq-km integrated coastal hub, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is now moving forward with this initiative. The urban development agency has issued a request for proposals to find a consultant that will create an area development plan along with a catalytic project strategy. The NITI report outlines a vision to transform a 25-km stretch along the coastline between Kailasagiri and Bheemunipatnam into a lively, mixed-use waterfront city. Inspired by global models like Miami’s Bayshore Corridor and Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach, the Bay…

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Centre urges unified urban planning, expanded credit for housing needs

File Photo NEW DELHI: On Friday, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal stressed the necessity for cooperation among policymakers, financial institutions, and urban planners to improve accessibility and inclusivity in housing finance, especially with the anticipated surge in India’s urban population. During a conference organized by the National Housing Bank (NHB) and the Asia Pacific Union for Housing Finance (APUHF), the minister underscored the importance of integrated urban planning, which includes developing housing linked to transportation and innovative policies to meet future demand. Citing a joint study conducted by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Housing and Urban…

IndustryLatest Stories

Reforming Land Policies Can Boost Housing Affordability: Niti Aayog

Representative AI image NEW DELHI: Rajiv Gauba, a member of Niti Aayog, highlighted significant challenges in housing development due to land constraints. He called for comprehensive reforms to reduce land costs. “We should allocate a minimum of 10% of residential land for affordable housing in our master plans, increase permissible FARs (Floor Area Ratios) from the current 2-3 to 5-6, promote transit-oriented development, and adopt land pooling. These strategies will help reduce land costs and increase housing supply,” he stated. Currently, land accounts for 50-70% of total project costs, which is notably higher than in similar infrastructure sectors. Gauba made…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh Considers Mumbai Model for Vizag 2.0 Development

File Photo VISAKHAPATNAM: The NITI Aayog, through the Vizag Growth Hub initiative, has put forth a plan to develop a Bay City between Kailasagiri and Bheemili. This also includes the expansion of Vizag 2.0, reaching towards the upcoming Bhogapuram airport and the associated aerocity project. A team from Andhra Pradesh, primarily from the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) and led by municipal administration and urban development principal secretary S. Suresh Kumar, visited Mumbai on January 12 and 13 to explore similar urban development models. The visit aimed to gain insights into the operations of the City and Industrial Development…