BHUBANESWAR: The newly introduced town planning scheme prepared by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) was sent for the State Government’s approval on Friday. The scheme will now undergo Government’s scrutiny which would ensure that all provisions specified in it comply with Odisha Development Authority Act, 1982.
Once the State Government gives its permission, the final notification will be put on display. The Housing and Urban Development Department will appoint a valuation officer to hear grievances and incorporate genuine changes as per the applications filed by land owners.
The valuation officer, engaged by the State Government, would enjoy quasi-judicial powers so that he can function with an independent authority and listen to grievances of people, said a senior BDA planning official. For smooth implementation of the scheme, a special town planning scheme cell has been set up at the Sub-Collector office here. This office will also function for other such schemes in the City which are in the pipeline.
“The scheme aims at housing, infrastructure and accessibility for beneficiaries including land owners besides accelerating the dynamics of urban development sector in the City and its outskirts,” the official added.
Land owners were contacted on an individual basis with the assistance of Khurda district administration to raise awareness about the scheme. All plot owners will get physical infrastructure like road, drain, water supply and sewerage facility while electricity supply and housing for economically weaker sections are a significant inclusion in the scheme. As per the scheme, there will be no monetary transaction involved in land acquisition and land owners will get infrastructure with a cost of just 40 to 50 per cent of the portion of their original land.
After receiving the Government’s nod, similar schemes will be implemented in other areas. Draft town planning schemes for different areas of the City will be submitted to the Government by the end of December this year, sources said.
