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.