Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday emphasised the need for robust connectivity between the two proposed metropolitan regions—Indore-Ujjain-Dewas and Bhopal-Sehore-Biaora (Rajgarh).
Chairing a high-level meeting at Samatva Bhawan in the CM House, Yadav called for an integrated work plan covering settlements, traffic, public transport, infrastructure, water and electricity supply and lighting.
He stressed that development policies should be crafted with ecological sensitivity, including the preservation of agricultural land, forest management and promotion of tourism. Panchayats may be upgraded to Nagar Parishads wherever needed to support urban infrastructure.
The CM said that the metropolitan model would enhance basic civic amenities while catalysing industrial and commercial growth in the regions. “With the creation of metropolitan cities, trade and industry will receive a significant boost,” Yadav said.
Revenue Minister Karan Singh Verma, who also attended the meeting, told The Free Press that earlier gaps in the metropolitan planning process were addressed in this session. He said that land acquisition would take place with fair compensation for landowners.
Verma said that a dedicated committee will be constituted to oversee implementation of metropolitan city project. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will serve as the committee’s chairman, with two vice-chairpersons supporting him.
The meeting also reviewed metropolitan development models from states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Rajora, and Principal Secretary (Urban Development and Housing) Sanjay Shukla were among the officials present.
The Indore Development Authority (IDA) has been designated the nodal agency to prepare master plan for the Indore-Ujjain-Dewas metropolitan zone, while the Bhopal Development Authority (BDA) will coordinate planning for the Bhopal-Sehore-Biaora (Rajgarh) zone.
Metropolitan Act
A senior official present in the meeting said that a proposed act to establish metropolitan authorities for both regions will be tabled before the state cabinet on May 20. Each proposed metropolitan area will cover approximately 9,000 square kilometers.
