Planning and Local Authority Overview

Planning Authority

• A "Planning Authority" is a local authority
• Planning Authority includes:
  • Special Planning Authority constituted or appointed under section 40
  • Slum Rehabilitation Authority appointed under section 3A of the Maharashtra Slum Area (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 in respect of slum rehabilitation areas declared under section 3C of the same Act

Local Authority

• A "Local Authority" is:
  • The Bombay Municipal Corporation constituted under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act
  • The Nagpur Municipal Corporation constituted under the "City of Nagpur Corporation Act, 1948"
  • Any Municipal corporation constituted under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949

Local Government and Planning Authorities in Maharashtra

• The Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965, establishes Councils and Nagar Panchayats.
• The Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, establishes Zilla Parishads.
• The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976, establishes the Housing and Area Development Authority.
• The Nagpur Improvement Trust Act, 1936, establishes the Nagpur Improvement Trust.
• The State Government has the authority to designate any area as a Planning Authority, granting it the powers outlined by the Act.

Maharashtra Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats

• Established under the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965.
• Enacted in 1965.

Planning Authorities in Maharashtra

• Zilla Parishad, Nagpur Improvement Trust and Municipal Council are considered Planning Authorities.
• Regional Transport Office is NOT a Planning Authority.

Zilla Parishad Establishment

• Established under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority

• Constituted under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976.

Nagpur Improvement Trust

• Governed under the Nagpur Improvement Trust Act, 1936.

Planning Authority Designation

• The State Government has the power to designate institutions as Planning Authorities.

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976

• Deals with urban development and planning within specified areas.

Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961

• Provides for the formation of Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

Nagpur Improvement Trust Responsibilities

• Responsible for improvement and planning of Nagpur.

Development Plan Preparation and Sanction

• Planning Authority's Duty: The Planning Authority must prepare a Development Plan within 3 years of its formation and submit it to the Government for approval (sanction).
• Time Extension: The Government can extend the time limit for preparing the Development Plan.
• Failure to Submit: If the Development Plan is not submitted within the original or extended deadline, the Joint Director of Town Planning (JDTP) or their appointee can step in and prepare the Development Plan.
• Sections 21 to 31: These sections outline the procedure for preparing and approving the Development Plan.
• Planning Authority's Failure to Act: If the Planning Authority doesn't fulfill its responsibilities under sections 25, 26, and 30 within the given timeframe, the JDTP or their appointee (with a minimum rank of Assistant Director of Town Planning) will be appointed.
• Officer's Timeframe: The Director of Town Planning decides the time period for completing the remaining work when an officer is appointed. This period cannot exceed the original period stipulated in the relevant section.

Preparation of Existing Land Use Map - ELU

• The Existing Land Use Map (ELU) must be prepared within six months from the date of declaration of intent, with a possible one-year extension.

• The ELU includes:

  • Natural features (e.g., topography, soil, rock, forests)
  • Existing infrastructure (e.g., roads, developments, public installations, utilities)
  • Landmarks

• Purpose of ELU:

  • Analyze existing services, utilities, and transportation networks
  • Identify development trends
  • Characterize the town's development
  • Guide planning for the Proposed Land Use (PLU), road networks, and public infrastructure
  • Collect data on existing social infrastructure
  • The Town Planning Organization (TPO) submits the ELU to the Planning Authority.

Surveys for Plan Preparation

• To gather information for the plan, three main surveys are conducted:
  • Physical Survey
  • Social Survey
  • Economic Survey

Physical Survey

• Data is collected through either land survey or aerial survey.

• Natural Features:

  • Location relative to other major towns in the region
  • Topography, soil types, rocks, land contours, forests, etc.
  • Climatology (rainfall, humidity, temperature, wind direction) to determine optimal orientation.

• Land Use:

  • Land use refers to the specific purpose of a land plot within the town.
  • Land use classifications:
    • Residential: For living purposes (e.g., houses, hostels)