In a significant move towards strategic urban development, the Union government has approved a funding of ₹631 crore to facilitate the creation of Geographical Information System (GIS)-based master plans for 675 towns across the nation. These towns, each with a population ranging from 50,000 to 99,999, are set to benefit from a systematic and technology-driven approach to long-term urban planning.
The announcement, made by Kaushal Kishore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, underscores the importance of these master plans, considered as essential vision documents for cities over a 20-year period. The funding falls under the ambit of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, reflecting the government’s commitment to structured urban growth.
Master plans, crucial for anticipating and meeting the future needs of growth, traditionally cover aspects such as land utilization and infrastructure development. However, the integration of GIS technology is expected to revolutionize this process by introducing a more data-driven and systematic approach to urban planning. The current scenario, where 65% of Indian cities operate without master plans, according to a 2021 Niti Aayog report, has led to haphazard urban expansion.
Janaagraha’s City-System (ASICS) 2023 report revealed that 39% of capital cities in India lack an active master plan, contributing to the unsustainable growth patterns observed in these urban centers. The GIS-based approach aims to address these challenges by introducing a comprehensive and technology-driven framework for planning.
Raj Bhagat, Senior Programme Manager of the Geo Analytics for Sustainable Cities & Transport program at World Resources Institute India, explained that GIS technology empowers planners to analyze, visualize, and model geographical data. This capability will be instrumental in answering critical questions related to new road designs, residential zone expansions, and identifying areas vulnerable to floods.
Responding to a query from Rajya Sabha MP Mohamed Abdulla, Kishore provided insights into the progress of this initiative. According to Kishore, the GIS database has been finalized for 443 towns, draft GIS-based Master Plans are prepared for 330 towns, and final GIS-based Master Plans have been notified for 180 towns.
This initiative marks a transformative step in India’s urban planning landscape, emphasizing the integration of technology for sustainable and well-structured urban growth.
