Draft plan for 4 quake-hit towns

The state government has prepared draft development plans for rehabilitation of the four most severely affected towns of Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachau and Rapar in a comprehensive and planned manner within four months of the earthquake that wreaked havoc in the state.

The state government will put the draft development plans for the consideration of the public and will call for representations and grievances to give them final shape. The state government also reiterated its commitment to rehabilitate and reconstruct the four towns in a preplanned manner.

The plans envisage adequate planning of the entire region. The emphasis is on stringent and better use of land, social and economic development, a health conscious environment, planned development of under developed areas, proper traffic planning, planning for proper population controls, adequate balance between the man and nature, curb on irregular and haphazard development and the plan also focuses on other related areas in detail.

Adequate provisions have already been made in the GDCR for the purpose by making the necessary changes in the Town Planning Act through ordinance and housing experts, structural engineers and town planning experts have been included in the provisions.

The state government said it is for the first time that a draft development plan has been prepared within a time limit of four months. The draft development plan has also made provisions for adequate width of roads so as to ensure maximum safety.

The state government has also appointed agencies for development of infrastructure facilities in the four towns. The agencies have been appointed through the Gujarat Urban Development Co. Ltd. for the purpose of the ADB assistance for the quake hit areas.

The state government has also appointed members for the area development authorities and accordingly Anil Mukim has been appointed in Bhuj, A.K. Sharma for Rapar, Atanu Chakraborty for Bhachau and Sanjay Gupta for Anjar. The responsibilities and duties of the various area development authorities have also been fixed.

Republished from The Asian Age