Chandigarh MP Manish Tiwari questioned the rapid urbanization happening around Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Tiwari raised the issue in the Lok Sabha with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Seeking an answer, the Chandigarh MP questioned whether the central government is aware of the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in Chandigarh and its peri-urban areas, especially in cities like Kharar, and if so, including the effects on the ecological balance. Loss of biodiversity, declining water table and rising pollution levels in the region.
He also questioned whether the government has taken any measures to protect Chandigarh’s planned urban heritage and whether the government intends to establish a comprehensive policy framework to balance urbanization, environmental sustainability and agricultural conservation in and around Chandigarh. And, if yes, the details, and if not, the reasons why?
Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs replied that according to the 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning including urban planning is the function of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/Urban Development Authorities. The Government of India complements the efforts of the States through planned interventions/advisories and the Union Territory of Chandigarh has notified a Master Plan in the year 2015 to regulate the use and development in an orderly manner.
“Various heritage sites, heritage areas and buildings have been notified in the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. It provides specific development controls and regulations in respect of these sites/zones in Chandigarh. The administration has also notified the Chandigarh Heritage Preservation Committee to protect the heritage aspect of the city,” the minister said. said
Sahu also mentioned that the “Punjab State Government has introduced the ‘Punjab New Capital (Perimeter) Control Act, 1952’ to regulate land use and prevent unauthorized and unplanned urbanization in the 16 km radius. It will ensure future planned expansion of the new capital city. and unplanned construction around it with the aim of preventing mushroom growth.
To meet the emerging needs of population growth, to promote planned and orderly development of the entire region and to control unplanned, haphazard and unplanned development, a comprehensive regional plan, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) (2008)-2058) was notified to control the entire perimeter. Covers the area, including the city of Kharar.
The state government has notified Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, New Chandigarh, Kharar, Dera Bassi, Zirakpur, Banur) in the surrounding areas of Chandigarh in the state of Punjab which provide extensive land use. Residential areas, commercial areas, industrial areas and institutional areas – where such developments can be taken up highlighting the trunk services and infrastructure to support such development.
“The development of this area is governed by the Zoning Rules of the Master Plans; the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Building Rules 2021 and various Acts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to regulate development (The Punjab Regional and Urban Planning and Development Act, 1995 and the Punjab Apartment and Property Policy documents made under the Regulation Act, 1995. Further, as notified by the Punjab State, aspects of ecological balance including loss of biodiversity, depletion of water table, and increased pollution levels in the region. Attention is paid,” he replied.
The minister said, “Considering the protection of eco-sensitive zones, natural drains, water sources and environmental factors, various security measures have been proposed such as forest areas, eco-sensitive zones, green belts on major roads. In Master Plans”.
He also mentioned that keeping in view the scarcity of water table, under the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Building Rules 2021 there are provisions for mandatory rainwater harvesting for all categories of buildings.