Majority of cities yet to develop master plan

The Ministry also said the process of developing GIS database for select 152 towns and cities across the country is on and that satellite image for all these places have been procured.

Addressing a press conference on the National Urban Information System (NUIS) scheme, Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna asked the local administration and states governments to fasten the process of preparing master plan.

"Master plan is very important. Only 24 per cent of the cities have developed their master plans. Other cities and towns don't have one. We want them to prepare master plans. We fully fund preparation of master plans," he said.

The senior official also said the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission has brought in a lot of development in many cities in the country and cited Agra as one of the best example.

Describing the new Yamuna Expressway as "very good", he said the Ministry has asked the local administration in Agra, the expressway authority and civic bodies in Mathura to come out with an overarching plan for the city of Taj Mahal.

He also said the second phase of the JNNURM would be simplified and rationalised.

About the NUIS scheme, the Secretary said the Ministry has released Rs 24.18 crore to Survey of India as Central share for the project.