logo
#

Latest news with #TownPlanningAct

Now, 5% green cover must for new town planning schemes in Ahmedabad
Now, 5% green cover must for new town planning schemes in Ahmedabad

Time of India

time15 hours ago

  • Business
  • Time of India

Now, 5% green cover must for new town planning schemes in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to implement comprehensive greening measures that will transform the city's urban landscape, with CM Bhupendra Patel scheduled to unveil draft policies on July 19. Under the new 'Greening Policy Measures for a Greener Ahmedabad', all new town planning schemes must allocate 5% of total land for green cover. Of this allocation, 1% must be specifically reserved for urban forests using the Miyawaki method, which enables dense plantations in short timeframes. The policy builds upon existing state govt mandates. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Previously, the state's Town Planning Act allowed a maximum of 5% land reservation for gardens and parks, but the new policy makes this allocation mandatory. Both the greening policy and the accompanying 'Policy for Good Construction Practices' will take effect on Friday. The AMC will establish an urban greening advisory committee comprising senior officers, urban planners, environmental experts, community leaders, NGO representatives and industry stakeholders including Credai members, builder associations, GIDC and educational institutions. They will provide necessary advice and suggestions to increase and maintain green cover in the city. Ward-level committees will address local implementation challenges, while public and private properties will be encouraged to participate in tree planting initiatives. Green infrastructure including oxygen parks, rain gardens, rooftop gardens, lake gardens, urban forests, ecological parks and biodiversity parks will be developed throughout the city. Penalties for illegal tree cutting will also increase. Anyone cutting a tree must plant 10 new trees within three years and submit a Rs 5,000 deposit per tree, with additional fines for environmental damage. New road development projects face specific requirements. Roads 24 metres or wider must include 1.50-metre-wide dividers for planting, with original soil preservation mandatory. Footpaths must include tree planting spaces every 5 metres, with circular tree pits measuring 1 metre for wider roads and 2.5x2.5-foot pits for narrower streets. The policy prohibits changing the designated purpose of plots reserved for gardens, urban forests or other green spaces in TP schemes, ensuring long-term protection of green infrastructure. City's first BRTS on-route charging station will also be inaugurated at the July 19 event. AMC's solid waste management department employees will be honoured for achieving first rank in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.

Lack of primary facilities in Punagam: Gujarat Human Rights Commission directs SMC Commissioner to attend June 26 hearing
Lack of primary facilities in Punagam: Gujarat Human Rights Commission directs SMC Commissioner to attend June 26 hearing

Indian Express

time07-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

Lack of primary facilities in Punagam: Gujarat Human Rights Commission directs SMC Commissioner to attend June 26 hearing

The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal to remain present, in person or virtually, on June 26 as a petition filed by a social worker — claiming rights violation over non-provision of primary facilities to residents of Punagam area — is heard. On the directions, SMC Commissioner Agarwal said, 'We have come across the directive from the State Human Rights Commission. We are preparing the data of the work done by us.' Punagam was incorporated into the municipal corporation limits in 2006. As per the petition filed by a social worker from the area, Kuldeep Gohil, a town planning scheme for the area was laid out in 2019. The petitioner said that according to the scheme, the SMC was supposed to provide 'urinal blocks, government schools, community hall, Shishu Kunj (play area for children), Shanti Kunj (parks for the elderly), vegetable markets'. 'The citizens had complained to the local councillors, municipal commissioner, and chief minister over the lack of provisions,' the petitioner said. The petition further adds, 'As per sections 68 and 69 of the Town Planning Act, the ruling party and civic organisation have to provide basic facilities, but they failed to do so. The roads are not up to the plan at block no. 443 and 446. There are encroachments on different roads.' Punagam, which is represented by around eight corporators, had a majority of BJP councillors. But after the 2015 Patidar quota agitation, the Congress leaders earned a majority. In the last municipal election, the seats were won by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The area is dominated by the Patidar population, hailing from different districts in Saurashtra who settled in Surat and are into diamond trade, textiles, and embroidery industries. Lack of basic facilities has remained a constant pet peeve here. Taking up the issue, Gohil had filed a petition against SMC with the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) on March 21 this year. Gohil told The Indian Express, 'I am resident of Punagam ward no. 17. Till date, no primary works like library, vegetable market, Shishu Kunj (children play garden), Shanti Kunj (elderly people garden), community hall and other basic facilities have been not developed by SMC, as per the plan. The roads are quite narrow and have not been widened. We have complained regularly to the SMC Varachha East zone. But nothing has been done. Apart from this, there are five reservation plots of SMC, which have been given to private people who run a food court, and SMC generates good revenue from it.' Payal Sakariya, AAP councillor from Ward no. 16, Punagam West, said, 'We have been regularly raising the issue about basic and other facilities to be provided by SMC in the area, to the citizens of Punagam area, but no action is taken. In the final TP of 20 in Punagam, the roads are narrow, and the population is over 1.50 lakh. There are over 150 residential societies (each society has over 200 houses with multiple floors). As per TP scheme rules, along with basic facilities like water, roads, drainage, etc., SMC has to provide other facilities which the civic organisation has failed to do.' Commenting on the issue, Vijay Panseriya, former Congress corporator Punagam East, said, 'The reason behind inadequate facilities is political enmity. After the area had been added to the SMC limit, BJP candidates were elected till 2015. During the Patidar movement, the voters switched over to Congress in the 2015 municipal election, and for the first time, Congress candidates won our ward. In 2021, AAP candidates won in this ward.' Surat Municipal Corporation Varachha A zone executive engineer Karan Bhavsar told The Indian Express, 'I am new to this zone. We have provided water, drainage roads, electricity and other facilities.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store