In a significant move, Assam’s first-ever urban planning scheme got the
approval of the advisory committee of the directorate of town and country
planning on Wednesday.
The crucial initiative, which focuses on Tinsukia town, was taken during
a meeting of the advisory committee chaired by Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister
Ashok Singhal. The committee also gave a green signal to master plans for eight
additional towns.
The towns benefitting from the noteworthy master plans include Rangapara,
Gohpur, Sootea, Jamugurihat, Bokakhat, Lakhipur and Badarpur, and a revised
master plan for Dibrugarh city.
The comprehensive discussions involved key stakeholders, including MLAs
Kamalakshya Dey Purkayastha, Zakir Hussain Laskar, and AMTRON vice-chairman
Ritubaran Sharma, alongside officials from the directorate of town and country
planning and related departments.
A notable highlight of the meeting was the approval of the inaugural town
planning scheme developed by the Tinsukia Development Authority, spreading
across 32.98 hectares.
The scheme’s presentation by the Deputy Director of Town and Country
Planning, Dibrugarh, and the Town Planning Officer of Tinsukia Development
Authority showcased detailed planning and garnered satisfaction from the
Advisory Council.
The Assam Government’s recent amendment to the Assam Town and Country
Planning Act in 2022, incorporating modern urban planning concepts, was
acknowledged during the meeting.
Minister Singhal stressed upon the need for more urban planning schemes
to be implemented across cities through the State Directorate of Town and
Country Planning.
The aim is to ensure planned and sustainable urban development, fostering
a participatory approach among stakeholders and curbing unplanned urban
expansion.
In a parallel development, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development
Authority (GMDA) issued development rights certificates to eight landowners,
covering one million square feet of land.
This issuance aligns with the Transferable Development Rights (TDR)
policy of the Government of Assam, encouraging voluntary land contributions for
urban infrastructure development.
Singhal expressed optimism that the implementation of the TDR policy
would play a pivotal role in the construction and development of essential
urban infrastructure such as roads, parks, and sewerage, ultimately
contributing to the growth of a prosperous city.
NE Watch Desk
