Bhopal: The country’s first GIS based Master Plan will take shape in the capital Bhopal. Urban Development and Housing Minister Jaivardhan Singh and Public Relations Minister PC Sharma dedicated the draft of Bhopal Master Plan-2031 at Minto Hall. Singh said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the state government has presented the draft of Bhopal Development Plan to the general public in just 14 months. He said that the period of development plan implemented in the year 1995 was till the year 2005. Since 2005 to date, the development activities in Bhopal have not been done as per any plan. He said that provision has been made for 1017 square kilometer plan area and as per population of 35 lakhs in the draft of Bhopal Development Plan-2031.
The draft has provision for outer and inner ring road apart from arrangement of betterment charges for the development of other roads. The draft is available at mptownplan.gov.in and suggestions have been invited from citizens on it. Suggestions can be given online.
Topmost priority has been given to safeguarding and enhancing natural beauty and water structures of the capital in this draft. Growth in green and forest area of the planning area is the priority and commitment of the state government. The Urban Development Minister said that securing Bhopal’s cultural-historical heritage is our priority. In this sequence, Lake Development Authority will be constituted for the development of Upper Lake area. The government intends to develop the lake front of Upper Lake like in Geneva or Marine Drive in Mumbai. Giving information about the provision of developing parks and forest structures in 23.5 hectare in the smart city area, he informed that about 50 thousand saplings will be planted in the smart city area.
Singh further said that in the development plan a provision has been made to create educational youth hubs to provide better arrangements to the younger generation. Work will be done on the concept of slum-free Bhopal as per the plan. High-rise buildings will be constructed in place of slums in which the slum dwellers will be shifted.
Public Relations Minister PC Sharma emphasized on the need to develop T-link from Shyamla Hills on the Upper Lake in Bhopal like Sea-link of Mumbai to ease the pressure of traffic. He gave the suggestion to conserve and develop Sadar Manzil on the lines of Minto Hall. MLA Arif Masood also addressed the meeting.