Rs 2,430 cr earmarked for Indore's revamp

The recent Indore Development Plan (IDP) 2021 promises to turn the city into a metro along the lines of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, claimed the state housing and environment minister, Jayant Malaiya, while releasing the draft of the plan.

He said, "Indore would become a world class city after the implementation of the plan."

What could make a difference in this plan is that unlike the previous plans, land use patterns have been left flexible, which will open the door of opportunity for the construction industry in the city.

It allows easy conversion of residential land to commercial and vice versa. The development works identified for the first phase of IDP, call for an expenditure of Rs 2,430 crore. This phase would include development of 80 km of new roads, five overbridges and 15,000 residential units for the slum dwellers. Seven different kinds of taxes have also been proposed for these works.

According to Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) sources, the development plan of the city, which came into existence with the publishing of the entire plan, is proposed to be conducted in two phases and the first phase would be implemented from the year 2007.

Under the first phase of development 5,400 hectare of land would be acquired and an investment of Rs 500 crore, and another Rs. 1,930 crore will be spent on its development. Around 70 per cent of the land acquired would be used to developed new roads and for the maintenance of old ones.

Apart from this, the Khan and Sarswati rivers (which pass through the populated areas of Indore from southwest to northeast) would witness environmental development; five new overbridges (to be constructed) and the Transport Nagar would also witness a thorough development.

Development of basic facilities in partially developed areas would be conducted in addition to development of water mains in the two new urban centres, and broadening of crowded roads of the main city, increase in the water supply to be made in two new sub-urban areas, development of sensitive and other important areas of the city, re-development of 60,000 slum areas, development of basic infrastructure facilities in the partially developed areas through social participation, implementation of smooth traffic system in all investment units.

Meanwhile, some new taxes have been imposed for these development works and these include betterment fee, land-use diversion fee, accepted activity fee, transfer fee, lease fee, land fee, fee on use of open land etc. The revenue collected through these taxes would be used for the further infrastructure development of various areas.

The master plan also talks of a super corridor, to be developed between the Airport and MR-10 road. Moreover, residential constructions would not be allowed in this corridor. They would be limited to 18 types, such as corporate offices, hotels, theme parks, shopping malls, multiplexes, education institutes, sports complex, multimedia centres, export zones, ready made complex and the others.

Under the new plan, residential lands can be used for hostels, rest houses, marriage halls, old-age homes, hotels, retail outlets, restaurants, multiplexes, schools, post-offices and sports complexes.

Commercial property on the other hand can be developed into IT Parks, hotels, conference centres, shopping mall, multiplexes, educational institutions, research institutes and hospitals. Another category of land, specialised commercial land can be developed into wholesale markets, godowns, bus stands, etc.

Industrial lands can be used to construct cold storages, junkyards, depots. The plan also proposes a conservation area including a bird sanctuary, wooded lands, and parks.

It also proposes the use of recreational lands for a zoo in the city. Transportation land has been proposed in the plan for a racing track, parking areas, railway yards, stations, bus stand and a full-fledged airport. Under the new plan, agriculture land can also be converted to residential and commecial purposes, including IT parks.