Affordable and Convenient Housing Should Be Developed Keeping Socio-Economic Conditions in Mind
Urban Parks and City Forests Must Be Promoted in Municipal Areas
Special Emphasis Should Be Laid on Tree Plantation in All Housing Projects
Survey Must Be Conducted of Illegal Constructions around Bhopal’s Upper Lake
Social and Religious Organizations Should Be Involved in Managing the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana
CM Dr. Yadav Reviews Urban Development and Housing Department
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has directed that an action plan be prepared to develop affordable and convenient housing in urban areas, taking into account the socio-economic conditions of the people, to control the expansion of slums in cities. Emphasising environmental improvement in urban regions, he said that parks must be developed, and tree plantations should be promoted in all housing projects, including those undertaken by development authorities and the Housing Board.
CM Dr. Yadav instructed that a comprehensive survey be conducted of illegal constructions around Bhopal’s Upper Lake, and a campaign be launched for action against them. He was addressing a review meeting of the Urban Development and Housing Department at Samatva Bhavan, the CM’s residence.
The Chief Minister said reputed national-level builders and colonisers should be involved in urban colony development. He also stressed the immediate modernisation of fire services to manage emergencies in both urban and industrial areas. A proposal to introduce the “Namo Train” service should be prepared to expand intra-city rail connectivity. Dr. Yadav said he would soon hold discussions with Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw to seek support in this regard. He instructed that priority be given to providing housing facilities to Ladli Behnas under government schemes. Directions were issued to urban bodies to take prompt action in organising meat and fish vendors and allotting suitable spaces for their operations.
The Chief Minister emphasised expanding the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana in religious areas with support not only from the government but also from voluntary organizations and private donors. He also proposed forming self-help groups in urban areas to set up modern laundry services, for which financial support and proper space would be arranged. He directed that the houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and other schemes should be allotted as soon as ownership formalities are completed. Highlighting the importance of a clean urban environment, he said reserved land in cities should be identified and developed into city forests (Nagar Vans), with proper maintenance responsibilities clearly defined.
CM Dr. Yadav also reviewed the promotion process within the department and instructed that employees be promoted within the prescribed time frame so that recruitment planning for vacant posts could begin in advance.
Urban Development & Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya said an integrated development plan is being prepared for religious and tourist towns. A Rs. 2,800 crore development plan has been prepared for Chitrakoot town, including an ₹800 crore Detailed Project Report by the Urban Development Department. He added that the Housing Board has been instructed to explore redevelopment (re-densification) projects in the state.
Minister of State Smt. Pratima Bagri, Chief Secretary, Shri Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Rajesh Rajora, ACS Urban Development, Shri Sanjay Shukla, and other officials were also present at the meeting.
It was informed in the meeting that housing assistance will be provided to 1.3 crore Ladli Behnas in urban areas. Under PMAY Urban 1.0, 8.55 lakh houses have already been completed, and over 4 lakh applications have been received for the second phase.
Points from the government’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto) were also discussed. According to it, the Bhopal and Indore metro lines will be fully operational by 2027. Under the CM Urban Area Infrastructure Development Scheme, 1,062 projects worth Rs. 1,070 crore have been approved.
It was also informed that 218 ‘Pink Toilets’ for women are functional across 183 urban bodies, and a discussion was held on the expansion of electric bus services. Additionally, 333 water supply and sewerage projects worth Rs. 11,000 crore have been approved. Directions were given to expand e-governance and online citizen services. Town and Country Planning activities were also reviewed.
Jal-Ganga Conservation Campaign
The meeting reviewed progress on the Jal-Ganga Conservation Campaign in urban areas. So far, 36 water bodies have been rejuvenated, and 38 green zones have been developed. Across various urban bodies, 3,963 rainwater harvesting structures have been built. Additionally, plans for aquifer management and wastewater treatment have been made for 30 drains.
