The city level committee has approved the survey to be conducted as part of implementing Local Area Plan (LAP) and Town Planning Scheme (TPS) in Thiruvananthapuram.
While Vizhinjam, Mulloor, Kottapuram and Venganoor have been selected as the areas for the preparation of TPS, the Palayam, Thampanoor, Vazhuthacaud and Thycaud wards have been selected for the preparation of the LAP in the city.
The Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies (TNIUS), the agency entrusted to conduct the survey, will soon be carrying out the drone, DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System), traffic and transportation and socio-economic surveys in this regard soon. DGPS is expected to give better location accuracy over Global Positioning Survey and is expected to surpass challenges arising from nature of terrain. It will also yield fast results.
The chief town planner had earlier reported that the scheme areas have to be surveyed by UAVs/drones for preparing land-use maps and requested for permission for conducting the aerial survey using drone. The state government has already constituted a committee comprising four members to monitor and supervise the survey at the special security zone since the survey using a drone would involve the movement of a drone in restricted areas and taking of photographs and videos. Special permission has been granted for conducting the drone survey.
The state capital is one among the 25 cities in India which have been chosen for the implementation of LAP and TPS as part of AMRUT project on a pilot basis. The state high powered steering committee (SHPSC) meeting had approved the proposal of chief town planner (planning) to make necessary amendments in the Kerala Town and Country Planning Act, 2016 for the formulation and implementation of LAP and TPS in the city.
LAP envisages redeveloping city areas which have been densified over time and subjected to unscientific land use without adequate infrastructure or public facilities. Congested inner city areas, non-availability of road space and public spaces will be addressed with the implementation of LAP.
LAP creates a framework for enhancing the public realm (public spaces, areas under roads etc.) by enabling redevelopment of the existing built environment and preparation of a new layout with enhanced infrastructure provision. TPS is meant to be implemented in areas identified for planned urbanization in the future. The planning process consists of merging and redistribution of land parcels in the urban expansion zone. The area of the TPS can range from 50 to 500 hectares or more.
