Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, is at a crossroads, facing various social, physical, geographical, and ecological challenges. As the city expands to rurban and peripheral areas, urban development and land use policies need review and necessary changes. A rapidly growing urban population and rising housing and infrastructural needsnecessitate a shift from old policies to more adaptable ones to make Ranchi a liveable city and pave the way for it to become a smart city.
We forget that to make Ranchi a smart city, we need to first make ita liveablecity by providing adequate housing, water, healthcare, schools, public spaces, and recreational facilities. The lack of a plan or roadmap for the development of Ranchi has led to the uncontrolled and unregulated expansion of the city, where people have encroached on open lands, creeks, rivers, ponds, greenery, hills, and forests, often with the complicity of politicians, police, and bureaucrats.
Once a summer capital, Ranchi was known for its weather, climate, clean environment, greenery, and landscapes. Unfortunately, today, Ranchi is facing the challenges of a rising population, inadequate housing facilities, poor water supply, urban slums, rising temperatures, encroachments, and lack of public space, leading to numerous socio-environmental and ecological challenges. Encroachments along the Harmu River and unchecked deforestation have exacerbated pollution and strained water supplies. Unplanned expansion has resulted in traffic congestion, inadequate waste management, and a growing strain on essential infrastructure. Additionally, the unchecked construction boom has encroached upon green spaces and water bodies, worsening urban flooding and reducing air quality. Rapid migration from rural areas, coupled with weak regulatory enforcement, has given rise to unplanned settlements, widening socio-economic disparities, and increasing crime rates.
The lack of sustainable urban planning and a future roadmap threatens Ranchi’s ecological balance, making it imperative for policymakers to implement effective measures to ensure inclusive development. Besides these, the other major challenge is the complexity of balancing development with protecting Indigenous land rights. Amendments to the CNT and SPT Acts, which govern tribal land ownership, remain contentious. Some advocate for relaxed restrictions to promote economic growth, while others fear unregulated commercialization will displace vulnerable communities. A balanced approach is necessary, one that respects tribal rights while enabling planned, inclusive urban expansion.
For the planned development of the city, real estate investors, industry, and corporate interests are key factors for investments to generate employment, services, infrastructure, and other amenities. However, the current land regulatory framework discourages investment due to complex and unclear land conversion rules, delays in approvals, corruption, and frequent legal disputes. This deters industries and businesses from setting up operations in Ranchi, limiting job creation and economic growth. Meanwhile, restricted land supply drives up housing prices, making homeownership increasingly difficult for middle-class families.
Despite these challenges and hurdles, Ranchi can learn from other cities that have successfully reformed their land use policies. Gujarat’s Town Planning Scheme is one such example of enabling structured urban expansion. Telangana’s land policies helped Hyderabad emerge as a global business hub, generating employment and improving infrastructure. Bengaluru’s zoning laws encourage mixed land use, fostering economic diversity and planned growth. By adopting similar best practices, Ranchi can overcome its urban planning challenges.
A particularly relevant example is Raipur in Chhattisgarh, which successfully transformed its urban landscape through structured land use planning. Raipur introduced an integrated master plan focused on balanced land allocation for residential, commercial, and industrial use. The city implemented a transparent land acquisition policy that compensated landowners fairly while ensuring efficient land use for public infrastructure. Additionally, Raipur prioritized affordable housing and strengthened its urban governance through public-private partnerships. These strategies not only attracted investors but also improved the quality of life for residents. Ranchi could benefit from a similar approach, ensuring that its urban growth is both inclusive and economically viable.
By learning from these policy reforms, the government can promote planned urban development to enhance residents’ quality of life. The city’s future should not be dictated by unregulated expansion and short-sighted policies. Instead, it must be shaped by a proactive, inclusive, and environmentally responsible approach. The time for action is now; delaying reform will only worsen existing challenges and stifle Ranchi’s potential as a thriving urban hub in eastern India. The state government must move decisively to implement these much-needed land use changes before it is too late.
The author is a Professor at Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranch. The views expressed are personal.
