In order to give statutory backing to the UT Master Plan, the UT Administration has swung into action to draft a comprehensive Town and Country Planning Act.
The UT Administration has constituted a Committee to prepare a draft of Town and Country Planning Act. The Committee comprising officials of UT Department of Urban Planning would study the provisions of Town and Country Planning Act enacted in various States and will accordingly frame a draft for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
At present, the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952 and Periphery Control Act are extended to the union territory of Chandigarh.
And, there is no comprehensive Town and Country Planning Act here which could provide a statutory backing to the Master Plan drafted by the UT Master Plan Committee. While the Periphery Control Act viz, Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952 was enacted in order to control haphazard development around Chandigarh.
The Act is extended to the area within a distance of 5 miles (8 km) on all sides from the outer two boundary of the land acquired for Chandigarh.
Subsequently, the Act was amended in 1957 & 1962 to enlarge the periphery to cover an area upto 10 miles (16 km).
On the other hand, the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952 extends to Chandigarh and covers the areas of the site of the Capital of Punjab as notified by the Government of Punjab before November 1, 1966 and to such areas as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
To provide a statutory status to the UT Master Plan, the UT Administration would either have to amend the enacted two Acts incorporating provisions for preparing the UT Master Plan or frame a Town and Country Planning Act for union territory of Chandigarh which would have provision for preparation of UT Master Plan.
Also, the draft of Town and Country Planning Act would have to be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for approval.
As of now, the UT Master Plan has been drafted under the clause 4 of the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952. According to this, for the purpose of proper planning or development of Chandigarh, the Central Government or the Chief
Administrator may issue such directions, as may he considered necessary, in respect of any site or building, either generally for the whole of Chandigarh or for any particular locality thereof, regarding any one or more matters namely architectural features, restrictions among others.
VK Singh, UT Finance cum Urban Planning Secretary while talking to The Pioneer said, “A Committee has been constituted to draft a Town and Country Planning Act for the union territory of Chandigarh. The Act is mandatory to give a statutory status to the UT Master Plan.”
He added, “The Committee has already began its work and is looking into the provisions of Town and Country Planning Act enacted in various States.”
“While the UT Master Plan Committee has already submitted the draft Master Plan, some provisions have to be incorporated in the existing legal framework or a Town and Country Planning Act has to be enacted to give a statutory status to the UT Master Plan,” he added.
Singh further said, “Besides, the UT Administration is examining various recommendations of the Master Plan. The UT Administration would also submit objections if required, on recommendations given by the UT Master Plan Committee. Only after this, objections would be invited from the general public.”
Notably, the UT Master Plan Committee has put forth recommendations on improving areas like transport, parking, education, health services among others in the city. The Master Plan consists of over 14 chapters submitting studies and recommendations on various services.
The Committee has projected a holding capacity of 16 lakh population by 2030 in Chandigarh and has contrived the future plans and developmental projects keeping in view the estimated population.