The Belagavi Urban Development Authority (Buda) has invited tenders for master plan for the city. The new masterplan will be valid till next 17 years.
The old master plan, approved in 2014, covers Belagavi and surrounding 27 villages. A total of 28 villages are going to be added in the new master plan of BUDA. Thus, the limits of Buda will be extended to the surrounding 55 villages along with the city, once the new master plan is approved.
Buda commissioner Shakeel Ahmed said the new master plan will hold good up to 2041. “We have invited tenders for conducting GPS-based survey and will submit a report along with detailed data according to the specified guidelines. The tender cost is Rs 1.8 crore,” the officer said.
The consultancy company has been allotted eight months to submit the new master plan report. The last date of applying for the tender is November 23 and scrutiny of the applications will be held on November 24. Sources said the financial bid will be opened in the same month.
The issue of the Buda master plan has always been a matter of curiosity for Belagavi residents, especially when the real-estate business is booming. In a changed scenario, many organisations have been opposing the decision of including 28 villages into Buda. They have also been getting support from farmers in these villages.
According to former MLA Ramesh Kudachi, the Buda has no right to take unilateral decision to include 28 villages. “Although the urban development department has given its approval, can Buda provide facilities to these villages, almost 15 to 20 km away from the city?, he asks.
