ROURKELA:Even as frequent protests by a section of tribals threaten to delay development process, Sundargarh administration is moving ahead with the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for creation of Greater Rourkela.
The CDP draft proposal, prepared by the Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) of the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Rourkela Development Authority (RDA), is ready for approval of the State Government.
If everything goes on the expected lines, the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department may come out with a gazette notification for the final CDP in three months. After scrutiny of suggestions and objections, the CDP is likely to assume the shape of legally enforceable document after six months.
Rourkela ADM and RDA Secretary K Sudershan Chakravorty said the geographical area of CDP would be 258 sq kms spread over 52 urban and sub-urban pockets and 52 villages. The CDP proposal projects infrastructure demand till 2031 when the city’s population may go beyond 10 lakh. The CDP is a long-term perspective plan for Greater Rourkela and all line departments would be liable to adhere to the CDP guidelines.
Planning member of RDA Ram Mohan Mishra said Chief Planner of TCPO KK Joadder and Associate Planner (Town and Country) Dr Sandeep Rout made a presentation on the CDP for various stakeholders at the RMC council hall on Monday.
The CDP envisages inclusion of notified areas of RDA including Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) limits, captive township of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and adjacent rural pockets of Kuanrmunda and Lathikata blocks.
The CDP, a mother document for planned growth and land use, envisages integrated sewerage, drainage, solid waste disposal and water supply systems.
There will be systematic land use for housing, medical, educational, commercial, industrial and recreational facilities along with planned telecom and road networks besides other necessary infrastructure.
Mishra said slums at scattered locations will be brought together under Slum Upgradation Scheme and Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY). The authorities of RSP and South Eastern Railway (SER) will be impressed upon to allow infrastructure development in the slums located on their land to ensure better quality of life for slum dwellers.
RDA Chairman SP Nayak had earlier claimed that the State Government has already sanctioned Rs 562 crore for integrated sewerage system. The implementation of the CDP has been delayed by at least three years.