LDA denies map approval for houses in illegal colonies
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Under the new rule, approval will be given only if a 7.5-mt road is at least 200 mt long and built with govt funds. Roads of the same width developed by private builders in unapproved colonies will not qualify. The restriction applies to colonies listed as "bad colonies" in the Avadh region's master plan.
The clarification came after people turned out over the map approval queries from various illegal colonies identified in the master plan survey at the LDA office.
LDA officials said these colonies were identified in the 2021 Master Plan as being developed without meeting LDA standards. Many were first flagged 24 years ago and still lack basic amenities such as proper roads, drainage, parks and community spaces. While the actual number of such colonies has grown, the official count will stay frozen at 241 for policy purposes. The LDA has been working for years to regularise illegal colonies, but strict norms on road width, drainage and open space have kept many from qualifying.
Even proposals to relax mapping rules will not benefit these areas.
An LDA official said, "The move is meant to prevent unplanned growth. If we approve maps in colonies without basic infrastructure, we will only be encouraging unplanned urbanisation in the city, which will affect the residents in the future."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
16 hours ago
- Hans India
SUDA Master Plan notified; expanded limits left out
Khammam: The Stambhadri Urban Development Authority (SUDA) on Wednesday notified its much-delayed Draft Master Plan, covering an area of 571.83 sq km, but crucially excluding the expanded limits as notified in October 2023 under GO MS No: 185. The Draft Master Plan, now open for public suggestions and objections for a period of 90 days, encompasses the jurisdiction of Khammam Municipal Corporation (KMC) and 45 revenue villages across seven mandals — Wyra, Khammam Rural, Kusumanchi, Mudigonda, Chintakani, Raghunadhapalem, and Konijerla. The plan was originally commissioned in November 2019 by the then BRS government, aiming for a horizon year of 2041. The project was undertaken by Bengaluru-based Centre for Symbiosis of Technology, Environment and Management (STEM), in partnership with AARVEE Associates, Hyderabad. After completion in November 2021, the plan remained in limbo due to the need for technical and spatial modifications. However, following the change in administration, the Congress government expanded SUDA's jurisdiction through a government order issued in October 2023, bringing in Madhira and Sathupalli municipalities and 279 villages, while excluding agency areas. These newly added areas were designated as a 'Development Area'. Despite the formal expansion, the current draft notification remains restricted to the earlier SUDA limits. Speaking to The Hans India, former SUDA Chairman Bachu Vijay Kumar questioned the timing and intent behind the expansion. 'If the government was planning to notify the already-prepared draft, what was the necessity to expand the SUDA limits? The public deserves clarity on development plans for the newly included areas,' he said. He urged district ministers Bhatti Vikramarka, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and Tummala Nageswara Rao to explain how the new jurisdictions will be integrated into the urban development framework. Officials indicated that the notified Master Plan will guide urban growth until 2050. Significantly, the notification process is being undertaken in the absence of a functional SUDA governing body, which was dissolved by the Congress government shortly after assuming office in 2023.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
LDA denies map approval for houses in illegal colonies
Lucknow: The Lucknow Development Authority has ruled out approving building maps for houses on 7.5-mt-wide roads in 241 illegal colonies, even if mapping norms are eased. The decision, taken at the recent LDA board meeting, is part of the enforcement of the Master Plan 2021. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Under the new rule, approval will be given only if a 7.5-mt road is at least 200 mt long and built with govt funds. Roads of the same width developed by private builders in unapproved colonies will not qualify. The restriction applies to colonies listed as "bad colonies" in the Avadh region's master plan. The clarification came after people turned out over the map approval queries from various illegal colonies identified in the master plan survey at the LDA office. LDA officials said these colonies were identified in the 2021 Master Plan as being developed without meeting LDA standards. Many were first flagged 24 years ago and still lack basic amenities such as proper roads, drainage, parks and community spaces. While the actual number of such colonies has grown, the official count will stay frozen at 241 for policy purposes. The LDA has been working for years to regularise illegal colonies, but strict norms on road width, drainage and open space have kept many from qualifying. Even proposals to relax mapping rules will not benefit these areas. An LDA official said, "The move is meant to prevent unplanned growth. If we approve maps in colonies without basic infrastructure, we will only be encouraging unplanned urbanisation in the city, which will affect the residents in the future."
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: City Beautiful's 1st green corridor project scrapped after heritage panel's objection
Two years after initiating work on the much-touted non-motorised transport (NMT) green corridor and felling around 200 trees for its construction, the UT administration has scrapped the project following the Heritage Committee's disagreement. The project had also seen strong objections from the Sector 10 residents' welfare association. In November last year, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria gave the greenlight to resume work after the engineering department assured that no trees would be cut. (HT File) Envisaged under the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031, the 8-km corridor, equipped with lighting, was planned to connect the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 to Sector 56, running along the N-Choe from the northern to the southern parts of the city. It was pitched as a dedicated route for non-motorised travel such as cycling and walking, to reduce carbon emissions and enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. A senior official of the urban planning department said, 'After the engineering department asked us to re-examine the project, we referred it to the heritage committee, but they did not give their approval. Their view was that when the Master Plan was prepared, there were not many cycle tracks in the city, but now major roads already have them, making this corridor unnecessary.' The official further said, 'The committee, after detailed discussions and deliberations, concluded that the concerns raised by residents against the proposal were valid. It observed that introducing cycle tracks within green belts or parks would create a contradictory movement system for pedestrians, as cyclists would be free to use any of the tracks in these areas.' 'Such an arrangement, the committee noted, would undermine the original intent of green spaces, which were designed as serene environments meant for the care of the mind, body, and soul,' official added. UT chief engineer CB Ojha confirmed the chain of events, saying, 'Following objections from Sector 10 residents, we referred the project back to the urban planning department for review. We have not yet received their reply.' The project's journey has been turbulent. Work began in June 2023 but was suspended in September by then UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit after a complaint to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) flagged the 'illegal' felling of trees. The estimated cost of the corridor was ₹5 crore. In November last year, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria gave the greenlight to resume work after the engineering department assured that no trees would be cut. Work restarted in December, only to face renewed opposition from the residents' body, prompting yet another review. The project was the first of 11 NMT corridors proposed across Chandigarh under the Master Plan-2031. Former UT adviser Dharam Pal had presided over the ground-breaking ceremony, describing it as a 'pioneering step towards sustainable mobility.'
