Rajasthan Government Proposes Integrated Urban Planning Approach for Jaipur
In a significant development for urban management, Rajasthan's Urban Development and Housing (UDH) Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra announced on Thursday that the state government is considering a comprehensive approach to urban planning for Jaipur. Instead of drafting the city's master plan, sector plan, and zonal plan separately or in different phases, the government now plans to prepare all three documents simultaneously.
Assembly Discussion Highlights Planning Challenges
The announcement came during a session of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in response to questions raised by Congress MLA Amin Kagzi from Kishan Pole constituency. Minister Kharra emphasized that this integrated approach would be more beneficial for urban management and would help align long-term development goals with practical on-ground implementation.
"I believe simultaneous preparation of all three planning documents would create better coordination between different aspects of urban development," Kharra stated in the Assembly. "This approach will ensure that our planning keeps pace with the city's actual growth patterns."
Addressing Jaipur's Rapid Expansion
MLA Kagzi raised serious concerns about traffic congestion in Jaipur, arguing that urban planning has failed to keep pace with the city's rapid expansion. He pointed out that the government is still working with an older master plan that was set to end in 2025, despite significant territorial changes to the city.
"The Jaipur Development Authority area has expanded dramatically with the merger of more than 200 villages," Kagzi noted. "While the city limits have been widened through these mergers, the corresponding sector plans and zonal plans have not been prepared, creating serious gaps in urban planning."
According to the MLA, these planning gaps have resulted in inadequate coordination for:
- Road development and transportation corridors
- Land use planning and zoning regulations
- Civic infrastructure development
- Public service delivery in newly merged areas
Committee Formed to Examine Integrated Approach
Minister Kharra revealed that a committee of officials has already been constituted to examine this integrated planning approach and submit recommendations. The government will decide on the future planning process based on the committee's report, which is expected to be submitted soon.
"This committee will thoroughly examine the feasibility and implementation strategy for simultaneous planning," Kharra explained. "Their recommendations will guide our approach to urban development in Jaipur for years to come."
Corruption Allegations in Sewer Project
During the same Assembly session, MLA Kagzi raised serious corruption allegations regarding a sewer line project in his Kishan Pole constituency. He claimed that in a project valued at Rs 275 crore, officials and contractors had already "lifted" approximately 65% of the project cost even before any work had begun.
Minister Kharra responded promptly to these allegations, stating that Kagzi had informed him about the matter three days earlier and had now submitted a formal written complaint on Thursday.
"The complaint has been forwarded to the UDH department for immediate action," Kharra announced. "Formal orders for a thorough investigation will be issued within the next day or two. We take such allegations very seriously and will ensure complete transparency in the investigation process."
Implications for Jaipur's Future Development
The proposed integrated planning approach represents a potential paradigm shift in how Rajasthan manages urban growth. By preparing master, sector, and zonal plans simultaneously, the government aims to:
- Create more cohesive urban development strategies
- Reduce implementation delays between different planning phases
- Better address infrastructure needs in newly merged areas
- Improve coordination between different government agencies
- Create more sustainable and livable urban spaces
As Jaipur continues to expand and face urban challenges, this integrated planning approach could provide a framework for more coordinated development. The government's response to both planning concerns and corruption allegations demonstrates its commitment to addressing urban management issues through both policy innovation and accountability measures.
