The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday unveiled the draft Bhopal Master Plan 2047, proposing to expand the capital’s planning area to 254 neighbouring villages and accommodate a population of 4.5 million.
Mixed land use will be regulated by road width, while residential areas, the environment and the city’s character will remain protected.” Of the total 61,017 hectares of developable area, 43.85% would be residential, 27% green, 9.53% for transport and 8% public spaces, the draft said. Town and Country Planning (T&CP) commissioner and director Kaushlendra Vikram Singh said, “Bhopal’s master plan is a roadmap for planned growth up to 2047.
“The development plan will boost the economy of the capital city, keeping in view the conservation of ecology,” chief minister Mohan Yadav said while releasing the draft.
Permission for taller buildings is a game-changing initiative. This plan is more permissive rather than putting unnecessary restrictions.”
The government has told the Supreme Court that the plan will not be formalised without its sanction as the apex court is hearing a case related to the sealing of commercial properties in Bhopal. The plan is built on four pillars – conservation of the natural ecosystem, a modern and citizen-friendly approach, reforms-driven planning, and self-sustainable and economy-boosting development, according to the draft. “Along with it, the outer proposed bypass will be developed as a greenfield corridor with a 50-metre green belt on both sides,” the draft said. Former director of Urban Administration and Development C U Roy said, “It is good to have both ecological and mixed development.
