GMDA grants 1 million square feet Development Rights to 8 city landowners under TDR Policy
Minister Ashok Singhal chairs a series of meetings at Janata Bhawan
Tinsukia’s Pioneer Town Planning Scheme and Master Plans for Eight Towns Given the Nod
In a series of impactful developments, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal took the lead in steering crucial urban planning initiatives during a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The meeting, held at Janata Bhawan, marked the approval of the first-ever urban planning scheme in the state, focusing on Tinsukia town, and the green light for master plans for eight additional towns.
The towns benefiting from these master plans include Rangapara, Gohpur, Sootea, Jamugurihat, Bokakhat, Lakhipur, 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 Tinisukia Development Authority, covering an extensive 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 Government of Assam’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 emphasized the need for more urban planning schemes to be implemented across cities through the State Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The objective 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.
Minister 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.
In a subsequent engagement, Minister Singhal participated in a joint meeting with Guwahati Municipal Corporation councillors, officials from the Public Works Department, Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, Guwahati Jal Board, and Kamrup (M) District Commissioner. The discussions focused on addressing challenges faced by municipal councils and exploring collaborative solutions. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s Block (Old) auditorium at Janata Bhawan, showcased a commitment to effective urban governance and coordinated problem-solving. Attendees included Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrigen Sharania, Commissioner & Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs DEpartment Kabita Padmanabhan, Municipal Commissioner Meghnidhi Dahal, Kamrup (M) District Commissioner Pallavi Gopal Jha, and top officials from concerned departments.