Master plans for eight cities get nod, meet held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: In a series of impactful developments, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal took the lead in steering crucial urban planning initiatives at a meeting of the advisory committee of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning today. The meeting, held at Janata Bhawan, marked the approval of the first-ever urban planning scheme in the state, focusing on Tinsukia city, and the green signal for master plans for eight additional cities.

The cities 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 of 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 state government's recent amendment to the Assam Town and Country Planning Act, 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 Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The objective is to ensure planned and sustainable urban development, foster a participatory approach among stakeholders and curb unplanned urban expansion.

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 Mayor Mrigen Sharania, Commissioner and Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs Department Kabita Padmanabhan, Municipal Commissioner Meghnidhi Dahal, Kamrup (M) District Commissioner Pallavi Gopal Jha, and top officials from departments concerned.

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