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DP proposes major development in areas near mass transit corridors

Tuesday, 26 November 2013 05:34 administrator
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The Indian Express            26.11.2013

DP proposes major development in areas near mass transit corridors

In its draft Development Plan (DP) for 2014-34, the BMC has proposed to encourage maximum development in areas closest to mass transit corridors. This is in stark contrast to its previous DP of 1991, in which it had restricted development on either side

of the transit corridors to ensure accessibility.

As per a preparatory studies report on the DP, BMC plans to "promote transit-oriented development around existing railway stations, proposed Metro stations and important major road intersections."

Transit-oriented development will mean allowing more residential and commercial development to come up along mass transit corridors by granting a higher floor space index (FSI) to maximise access to public transport. An FSI is the ratio of the total floor area of a building at a certain location to the plot area. The population density will be progressively lower in areas spreading outwards, allowing new pockets in the city to grow. The report also hints at deciding the FSI pattern based on the mass transit facilities around a specific area.

The 280-page report, jointly drafted by BMC and Group SCE India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of French consulting firm EGIS Geoplan, was submitted to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan recently.

Some of the existing railway stations around which transit-oriented development would be promoted have already been identified based on the current importance of train passenger volumes, or proximity to current or emerging employment or commercial centres or if they are hubs with multiple transit interchanges, according to the report.

Some of the first-tier stations identified for transit-oriented development include Churchgate, Dadar, Lower Parel, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, CST, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Mulund,while second-tier stations include Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Jogeshwari, Malad Goregaon, Chembur and Nahur, among others.

Metro stations identified for the purpose include Ghatkopar, Saki Naka, Versova, D N Nagar, Chakala, Wadala and Kastur Park.

Apart from major rail and metro stations, the civic body has also identified arterial roads and hubs such as Dadar Circle, Matunga Circle and Sion Circle along the Ambedkar Road for transit-oriented development.

Meanwhile, the state is considering granting an FSI of four for real estate projects that are mushrooming along future Metro corridors, including the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro.

Developers are allowed an FSI of 1.33 in the island city and one in the suburbs, which real estate players and experts say is inadequate to meet the housing requirements of the city.

 

R740 cr for J’tsinghpur uplift programmes

Friday, 22 November 2013 09:55 administrator
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The Statesman      22.11.2013

R740 cr for J’tsinghpur uplift programmes

The District Planning Committee has approved Rs 741.30 crores for different development programmes to be executed during 2013-14. 

The district planning meeting chaired by Tourism minister Maheswer Mohanty reviewed the progress of ongoing projects under various departments and the requirement of funds. A sum of Rs 22.02 from MGNREGS and Rs 5.32 crores from Gopandhu Gramin Yojana scheme will be used for various projects to bridge the resource gap. 

Providing details of the programmes that have been worked out , official sources said  Rs 219.80 crores will be spent towards health, education, while Rs 90.17 crores has been earmarked for agriculture, Rs 84.04 crores for rural development, Rs 21.29 crores for special area programme, Rs 100.05 crores for irrigation and flood control,  Rs 207.11 crores has been earmarked  for transport.

 

Lucknow Municipal Corporation's development plan for city addresses growing needs

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 11:21 administrator
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The Times of India         20.11.2013

Lucknow Municipal Corporation's development plan for city addresses growing needs

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Tuesday met officials from Jal Nigam, Jal Sansthan, Lucknow Development Authority, Metro Cell, Public Works Department, Traffic, UP Housing and Development Board, along with some NGOs with a presentation on the revised city development plan and ask for their suggestions on the same. Municipal commissioner R K Singh chaired the meeting.

GOI's guidelines of 2012 mandate revision of every city development plan (CDP) according to the changing urban scenario. Lucknow's first CDP was made in 2006 which forecasts the growing needs of people for infrastructure facilities till 2025. But with time, the city has undergone some drastic changes in terms of housing, transportation, urban lifestyle, business expansion and influx of people from nearby towns.

Therefore, much longer term planning is required to accommodate the growing demands of people till 2040. Officials said since the earlier CDP was first of its kind, it lacked detailing on various aspects like transportation, roads, environment, traffic, water supply, solid waste management etc. The revision work of CDP has been assigned to the Noida based SENES Consultant India Private Limited.

The firm gave its first presentation to the panel on the draft on revised CDP. Daya Handa, the urban planner and in-charge of the project said, "It is the first time we would give ward-wise detailing on the needs and supply of various facilities like water, roads, sewerage, drainage, solid-waste management etc. The plan would address the present gap in supply along with the demand that would be generated by 2040."

She said they have discussed three sectors, namely urban environment, heritage and conservation and traffic and transportation in detailed manner for the first time in CDP. The plan also suggests construction of bus and truck terminals on outer roads like Sitapur, Sultanpur, Hardoi and Faizabad Road so that heavier vehicles can move on the outer periphery without disturbing the city's traffic.

Many topical issues like rampant encroachments, illegal colonies, crisis management, economic development, needs of urban poor, street-vending and modern means of transport like metro would be included in the revised plan. Additional municipal commissioner P K Srivastava said, "Whatever gaps have been left in the first phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the revised plan will attempt to address all those shortcomings with special impetus on urban planning for the next 25 years."

Municipal commissioner has asked all agencies to provide necessary data and information on the key sectors assigned to them for speedy drafting of CDP. The participants suggested that an integrated information system on basic infrastructural facilities can be developed by the nagar nigam so that all developmental works being carried out in various wards can be mapped accurately.

The CDP work would complete by next 6 months, said Handa.

 
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