Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 7: In a bid to give an impetus to state economy, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Tuesday announced its first town planning (TP) scheme, covering parts of Paikarapur, Sijuput, Naragoda and Sahajpur mouzas.
The scheme would spread across 750 acres, covering 1,660 plots and take at least two years to complete the lengthy process of convincing villagers to part with their lands for an overall development of their areas. BDA termed the scheme as pooling and readjustment of land.
BDA vice chairman Krishan Kumar Tuesday briefed the media on the state’s first TP scheme and said it is a cooperative model and does not require land acquisition. “BDA authorities had passed a resolution for the TP scheme March 25. Once the government notifies the gazette in this regard, BDA will start meeting villagers to convince them to give their lands to execute the project,” Kumar said.
He said against the normal practice of land deduction of 50 per cent from owner’s share for TP scheme, BDA has decided to take only 40 per cent of the owner’s share.
“After government gazette notification, BDA would issue notices in newspapers and invite people of the said mouzas to lodge suggestions/objections and apply for the scheme within 60 days from publication of notice. BDA would serve individual notices to villagers while counseling would be done personally to persuade them,” Kumar said.
Officials say the scheme is promising as it does not involve land acquisition which has a lot of demerits instead people would be asked to provide a certain share of their lands.
BDA would develop infrastructure like roads, drains, sewerage, street lights at the township. Spaces would be kept for schools, health care institutions, parks, markets and water bodies to meet environment challenges.
BDA secretary Ranjan Das said the scheme is so promising that there are less chances that people would oppose the TP scheme as ultimately they will reap the benefits as prices of their plots would go up by at least five times.
“Honestly speaking, the government will not gain much from the scheme but it would give a boost to the infrastructure development where the scheme is being taken. We require substantial funds to ensure infrastructure development for the TP scheme,” the BDA vice chairman said, adding small scale TP schemes of around 400 acres are being considered.
A board of appeal would be constituted by government to resolve grievances related to the scheme. Before starting ground work, final scheme plan would be submitted to director of land records and surveys, BDA sources said.
