Over 200 Class-I cities in India,
including Shimla and Imphal,
have recently notifi ed Geographic
Information System (GIS)-based
master plans as part of the Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation (AMRUT) mission.
The Supreme Court’s approval of the Shimla
Development Plan, after 44 years, and Manipur’s
notifi cation of a fl ood-prone capital city plan
marked signifi cant milestones.
These initiatives are part of the larger AMRUT
mission, initially launched in 2015 and relaunched
in 2021, aiming to have over 1,000 cities with GISbased master plans.
Signifi cance of GIS-Based Master Plans:
GIS-based master plans involve mapping the
entire existing infrastructure, providing a
comprehensive vision for a city’s development
over the next two decades.
It includes regulations for land use, building
construction, transport, green spaces, and
economic development.
Challenges in Master Plan Implementation:
Urban development experts argue that master plans,
despite being critical, often remain unimplemented,
leading to unauthorized development in cities.
The rapid urbanization and poor enforcement of
these plans have contributed to issues like unregulated
construction and environmental concerns.
Unregulated Development and Climate
Impact:
The absence of master plans in 65% of urban
settlements, as highlighted by NITI Aayog, leads to
piecemeal interventions, haphazard constructions,
and environmental pollution.
This is particularly signifi cant in hill states like
Himachal, prone to fl ash fl oods and landslides.
AMRUT’s Role in Addressing Challenges:
AMRUT’s sub-scheme focuses on using technology
to prepare master plans, utilizing GIS data to address challenges arising from urbanization and
climate change.
The baseline maps, created using satellite imagery
or drones, form the foundation for future plans
related to transportation, economic activities, and
social infrastructure.
The Implementation Challenge:
While the emphasis is on planning for the next two
decades, experts stress that the real challenge lies
in implementation and having an enforceable legal
framework.
The lack of strict enforcement and accountability
has hindered the success of master plans in many
cities.
Incentives and Recruitment Drive:
Approximately 1500 Class-I towns have only
around 10% with valid master plans.
However, with the central government providing
incentives and focusing on recruiting urban
planners, there is a positive shift.
Cities are now receiving funds as incentives for
preparing master plans, marking progress on the
ground.
While GIS-based master plans represent a crucial
step toward planned urban development, the success
hinges on effective implementation and a robust
legal framework. The current momentum, driven by
incentives and recruitment initiatives, offers hope
for more cities to adopt and enforce comprehensive
master plans.
Key Points:
1. Master Plan Significance: A master plan is a critical vision document outlining a city’s development for the next two decades, including regulations on land use, building construction, transport, green spaces, and economic development.
2. Historical Gap: Urban development experts note that master plans have often remained theoretical, leading to unauthorized development due to rapid urbanization and poor implementation.
3. Environmental Concerns: The urgency of these plans is underscored by environmental challenges, such as the frequent flash floods and landslides in hill states like Himachal Pradesh.