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Revised Master Plan - 2035
Written By murali772 - 16 May, 2012
Bangalore Masterplan BDA urban development Citizen Reports CAF urban planning
The Karnataka High Court had, on 25th Jan this year, issued an interim order staying further construction of commercial buildings in residential zones in Bangalore (check here), pursuant to this PIL filed by CAF, amongst others, in 2008. Even as the city was awaiting the final verdict, on the 8th May, the citizen groups were surprised to see an ad in the newspapers (check here for the text, plus other details, published in BDA website), by the BDA, inviting suggestions (for a period of two months) for its proposal of revision of RMP-2015.
Going into the 'other details' (on the website), it now appears that Indian Institute of Human Settlements, Bangalore (IIHS), was somewhere along roped in by the BDA to do the "proposal for procurement guidelines RFP, RFQ preparation and other connected process of 'selection of consultants' for the preparation of RMP-2035". And, between the two, after following the due process (including notifications through ads in leading newspapers - check this), some nine consultans have now been short-listed, whose names have also been listed (it includes TUSPL - Tandon Urban Solutions Pvt Ltd, the people who are involved in the Maestrikere, Koramangala, DPR preparation).
I recall seeing the ad, in newspapers late last year, and wondering about how the planners chose to broaden their vision by a further decade, as also reading the following comment (amongst others) in the ToI (for the full report, click here):
"Planning is absolutely critical to manage the mega city that Bangalore will be in future. But BDA’s decision to draw up a master plan for 2035 seems like a case of putting the cart before the horse. Its track record in implementing the existing master plan hasn’t been stellar. Also by definition, BDA’s master plan will address only one aspect: infrastructure. City planning ideally has to include other critical governance parameters like delivery of services. A nodal agency which takes a holistic view of what Bangalore requires in another quarter century would be in a better position to postulate a 2035 master plan".
Valid concerns, considering the mess up of the past. The involvement of IIHS brings in some hope. But, 'Janaagraha' was similarly involved last time around, though, eventually, it all ended up in them as well as the citizens being taken for a merry ride. Hope there is no repeat of that this time.
Muralidhar Rao
PS: Meanwhile, the following forms the essence of another judgement issued by the High Court in March this year (for the full text in the ToI, click here):
In a landmark judgment that will have a far-reaching impact on property development in the city, the Karnataka high court has stated that the comprehensive development plan drawn up for the city - Revised Master Plan 2015 - will be the final document, governing land use and zoning regulations in any area. This means the Revised Master Plan 2015, drawn up by BDA, as the local planning authority, overrides all village and gram thana maps.
This in a way seems to contradict the January order - wonder what the implications are.
COMMENTS
ssheragu - 30 May, 2012 - 17:11
ssheragu
the nitty gritt & other details, I do not know; but I feel that we can still give suggestions before July (according to the newspaper info) and in all probablity, it may be incorporated in the revised master plan 2035;
it is upto us (we the Praja members) to give useful suggestions of immense civic value
many thanks
Srinath Heragu
murali772 - 30 May, 2012 - 17:33
@ Heragu - The Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF), has already organised one meeting of a few RWA representatives to decide on a common approach in the matter. Vijayan Menon and I attended it. We will soon be publishing an approach paper for wider dissemination and discussion, the medium for which could well be PRAJA.
Would Praja qualify for the tender?
kbsyed61 - 16 May, 2012 - 15:39
Aside from question of 2015 or 2035, was wondering would PRAJA-RAAG would qualify for the 2035 Master plan preparation. :)
Understand the seriousness of the work, efforts it needs and dedicated resources to accomplish the task.
Only wish is, one day, PRAJA should be able such works.
-Syed
ssheragu - 27 May, 2012 - 11:24
ssheragu
it is surprising that the revised master plan 2035 has attracted the attention of only 2 visionaries like Muralidahr Rao and Syed, apart from, some like me, who wanted to comment later;
it is worthwhile to note that this revised masterpan 2035 is a platform that covers many discussions points of Praja; so Praja should utilise this opportunity to contribute in a significant way;
within the time period of 2 months, I do plan to offer my comments and will share the same on Praja;
Syed and Luralidahr Rao are absolutely right; it is high time Praja organised an event for evolving an impeccable revised master plan 2035 for Bangalore and for the rest of our country to implement
Many thanks
Srinath Heragu
idontspam - 27 May, 2012 - 17:45
This "impeccable" 2035 master plan is not available online on BDA website, while 2015 has been made available. Why not?
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