The state government is contemplating to make key changes in its town planning and urban development regime to boost the real estate sector. Both, RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) and the Hasmukh Adhia led committee had proposed several reforms to augment the sector in the current scenario.
Key sources in the state urban development department said that RERA and the Adhia committee had recommended key changes in the current town planning regime.
“Some of the key reforms proposed by RERA and the Adhia committee were removal of agriculture zoning from municipal corporation limits in development plans so that more space could be made available for residential purposes, shifting of polluting industries out of congested areas and developing an exchange mechanism for transferable development rights (TDR) equal to the prevailing `jantri’ rates for facilitating rehabilitation schemes in cities with dense slums,” said sources.
Sources added that among other recommendations, industrial zoning in cities could be converted to non-industrial zones by making gradual changes in the town planning (TP) schemes. Besides, mixed TP schemes may be encouraged in sub-zones, specific schemes to bring down the trip length, reduce road congestion and decrease pollution can be introduced, experts have opined. “The government intends to adopt most of the recommended reforms by the Adhia committee and RERA in the coming days,” sources said.
While RERA – with technical support from CEPT University – had prepared a report on the changes needed in Gujarat’s town planning regime and had submitted it to the state government, the Adhia committee was appointed last year to chalk out a comprehensive economic revival and reform plan to boost economic activities post lockdown.
