Nearly 7,935 towns and cities in the country have been identified for preparation of master plans under the National Urban Information System (NUIS), a national mission initiated by the Union ministry.
The ministry provides satellite imagery, maps, hardware and software besides training to officials in preparing master plans.
Speaking to reporters after a one-day national workshop on NUIS with special emphasis of Bhuvan for the stakeholders here on Tuesday, secretary in the Union urban development ministry Sudhir Krishna said it was mandatory for towns and cities, irrespective of their size, to have master plans if they were to be eligible to get funds under centrally-sponsored schemes such as JNNURM.
In Andhra Pradesh there are 161 cities and towns, of which only 92 have master plans. The remaining will have to prepare master plans under NUIS.