Rajasthan: Plan to map existing land use in urban areas

The urban development department will prepare a map of existing land use of areas falling in the municipal limits of all towns of Rajasthan. Land use map along with base map of the area is proposed to be referred by respective urban local body for extension of various municipal services, such as land use change, building plan approval and others. Thus ensuring these services even for many of those with ‘existing’ land use in contradiction to use depicted in master plan of the area. 

The base map and existing land use map are being drafted in process of development of Zonal Development Plan of all urban areas. “To boost planned development and to detail out the proposals pertaining to Master Development Plan, the state government has decided to prepare Zonal Development Plans for all towns of Rajasthan,” says a senior urban development officer. 

According to the officials, these zonal development plans shall focus on the ‘uniqueness’ of the zonal area while planing. Along with base and existing land use map, the zonal plan will contain zonal land use plan, proposals as per zoning/Development Control Regulations, Proposals for infrastructure and shall adhere to guidelines previously issued regarding review of Master Plan. 

The development of zonal development plan was earlier proposed under the proposed Rajasthan Regional and Urban Planning Bill, 2018. However, the bill could not be tabled despite inviting objections on the draft of the bill. The proposed bill was considered as an attempt to circumvent the restrictions imposed by High Court on alteration of master plan. 

The restrictions have posed challenge for the state government as it intends to regularise ‘unauthorized settlements’ in several cities. The proposed bill, however, could not be tabled at the last session of the current state assembly and the state government has now decided to proceed with development of zonal plans under the urban improvement and municipal acts of the state. 

Roadmap

Land use map along with base map of the area is proposed to be referred by respective urban local body for extension of various municipal services, such as land use change, building plan approval and others. Thus ensuring these services even for many of those with ‘existing’ land use in contradiction to use depicted in master plan of the area.