LUCKNOW: In an effort to foster organized growth, the state government is developing master plans for tier II towns with populations ranging from 50,000 to 100,000.
A total of 93 towns have been selected for inclusion in the initiative, with master plans based on geographical information systems (GIS) to be created. These plans will outline land use and crucial future projects for government agencies and stakeholders interested in these towns.
A budget allocation of Rs 45 to 50 crore will be set aside to engage private firms for compiling the master plan.
Officials from the housing and urban planning department are also considering a phased approach to develop a master plan for all 762 urban local bodies. “Building bylaws must be adhered to within regulated areas, and construction is governed accordingly to prevent chaotic development. However, we lack a mechanism for imposing penalties or carrying out demolitions in urban local bodies outside the oversight of regulatory authorities like the Lucknow Development Authority, Kanpur Development Authority, and Prayagraj Development Authority,” explained a senior official from the housing department.
Previously, under phase 1 of the Amrut scheme, GIS master plans were established to encourage organized development in 59 cities with populations exceeding 100,000. Tier II towns will now be addressed in the second phase of this centralized initiative. A survey conducted by the towns and country planning department revealed that among the 93 towns under urban local bodies, only 44 were governed by a regulatory authority, leaving 49 without any monitoring body for construction activities.
Beneficiaries of this initiative will include 49 districts such as Bareli, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Kanpur, and Jhansi, among others. In the Lucknow division, tier II towns of Lakhimpur Khiri, Hardoi, and Sitapur will be included, specifically towns like Paliya Kalan, Gola Gorakhnath, and Mohammadi.
