Concrete step: Unified plan for urban development

The state government has proposed Rajasthan Regional and Urban Planning Bill,2018, to unify development rules across all urban areas. A draft of the bill was released on Thursday and will be open for public suggestions as well as objections till February 22. The new act is tough on violators and there is a provision for cancellation of lease deed. But it still leaves some room for modification of development plans. Government officials claim that it has been drafted in consultation with several stakeholders and institutions. However, the bill is also being held as an attempt to amend the existing development plans in the process of drafting regional plans. 

With regard to the existing master development plans, the proposed draft empowers the government to uphold an existing master plan, or call for a fresh master plan under the provision of this act.From the date the fresh draft master plan is published, such a plan or master development plan will become defunct, according to the draft of the Regional and Urban Planning Bill. The draft also leaves room for the government to ‘revise’ the regional or master plan as it may feel it ‘necessary’ even after its implementation. The government may order the concerned town planning wing or local body to make fresh surveys and revise the plan. 

These provisions are expected to circumvent legal complications concerned with alterations in the master plan. The current urban planning provisions have held back several government proposals including those of regularising unauthorized colonies and illegal developments. the government may order the concerned town planning wing or local body to make fresh surveys and revise the plan.