Opposing the first public hearing on the proposed master plan Ranchi 2037, the local tribal as well as social organizations under the banner of ‘Master Plan Sangharsh Morcha’ have demanded that the master plan should be cancelled and the time frame be extended till March 2014 to entertain suggestions from the affected persons. They also alleged that the prepared master plan 2037 is completely unconstitutional, undemocratic and against the scheduled Administrative Area.
“Some of the members of local tribal and social organizations today came in group 25-30 persons and boycotted the public hearing which was going on regarding Master Plan – 2037. They were basically demanding to organize the public hearing at the villages among those who are actually being affected by it and get approvals from them after hearing their grievances and demands,” said Ranchi Municipal Corporation PRO Naresh Kumar Sinha.
The protesters also alleged that the consultants did not even bother to update the administrative facts and details about Ranchi. Pointing out several mistakes in the draft master plan, they also alleged that such lackadaisical approach casts serious questions on the competency of the consultants.
“The entire 115 page draft has been uploaded on the internet on January 5 with January 5 as last date for registering opposition expecting that the poor villagers will get it printed investing `1,000 and will walk to the RMC office to register their suggestions with it,” said spokesperson of Master Plan Sangharsha Morcha Anil Bhagat.
It is suggested that the present draft Master Plan 2037 be scrapped and a new competent consultant be appointed to prepare a new Master Plan after taking into consideration the issues highlighted above.
“What is even more surprising is that the RMC has accepted it and put it on public domain and called for suggestions,” said Bhagat.
According to the master plan, 118 villages along with hundreds of slums are to be rehabilitated at the cost of the ethnic tribal identity of the locals in and around Ranchi. Bhagat also alleged that the government is in a hurry to pass the master plan without the approval of those who are actually being affected. “Government is not able to provide proper electricity and water supply to the city dwellers while it wants to put extra pressure on it making the conditions more pathetic for both the people here in Ranchi and those who are residing in the nearby villages,” Bhagat added.
The public hearing however, will be continued till January 28.