“The Uttar Pradesh government has greenlit GIS-based master plans for 56 cities, aiming for sustainable urban development under the AMRUT scheme. These plans leverage geospatial data for strategic planning, covering land use, transportation, and infrastructure. Kanpur, Rampur, and Ghaziabad await approval, with final reviews underway, promising a modernized urban landscape.”
Uttar Pradesh Unveils GIS-Driven Urban Transformation for 56 Cities
The Uttar Pradesh government has approved geographic information system (GIS)-based master plans for 56 of its 59 targeted cities, marking a significant step toward planned urban development under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). These plans, designed to create sustainable and efficient urban ecosystems, utilize advanced geospatial technology to map land use, transportation nodes, and infrastructure needs. The cities of Kanpur, Rampur, and Ghaziabad are still pending approval, with final reviews scheduled within weeks.
The GIS-based master plans aim to provide a digital framework for urban planning, enabling officials to access geo-referenced base maps and thematic data. A senior official from the state’s housing department explained that these plans allow planners to analyze development strategies, regional connectivity, and physiography, ensuring a holistic approach to urban growth. The initiative, part of the AMRUT scheme, mandates GIS-based planning to secure central government funding, emphasizing its role in modernizing urban governance.
For the 56 approved cities, the plans outline detailed land use allocations, city logistics, transit-oriented zones, and green corridors. The scope of these plans has expanded beyond initial objectives, incorporating transportation and mobility frameworks to address urban challenges like congestion and haphazard growth. The delay in finalizing plans for some cities stemmed from broadening the consultants’ scope, which now includes comprehensive urban management strategies.
The master plans for Kanpur and Ghaziabad are under final scrutiny, with approvals expected within a fortnight. Rampur’s plan is slated for review shortly after. Once implemented, these plans will be enforced by local housing development authorities, ensuring regulated urban expansion. The state had set a December 31, 2024, deadline for approving all 59 cities’ plans, but the remaining three are progressing steadily.
This initiative aligns with national efforts to enhance urban planning through technology. The AMRUT scheme, launched in 2015, aims to develop digital geo-referenced maps for 500 cities across India, though only 152 have been approved so far. Uttar Pradesh’s progress places it at the forefront of this urban transformation drive, setting a model for other states. The use of GIS technology is expected to curb unplanned development, optimize land use, and improve infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth across the state’s urban centers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports and official statements from the Uttar Pradesh housing department, as covered by credible sources like the Times of India. Data is sourced from publicly available information and government announcements under the AMRUT scheme. Readers are advised to verify details with official government portals for the latest updates.