Centre to set up high-level panel on urban policies

What is the news?

The Finance Minister has announced plans to set up a high-level committee of planners, economists and institutions to provide recommendations on issues and policies related to the urban sector.

What is the need of a High Level Panel on Urban Planning?

By 2047, nearly half of India’s population is likely to be living in urban areas.

To prepare for this, orderly urban development is of critical importance, as the “business as usual” approach towards urban planning would not work.

But for orderly urban development, we need to nurture the megacities and their hinterlands to become current centres of economic growth. Further, we need to facilitate tier 2 and 3 cities to take on the mantle in the future. 

Hence, for this purpose, the Government has set up a High Level panel comprising urban planners, urban economists and institutions who will make recommendations on policies, capacity-building, planning, implementation and governance.

What are the other steps announced in the Budget for Urban Areas?

Firstly, the government will designate five institutions as centres of excellence to develop India-specific knowledge in urban planning and design and to deliver certified training in these areas. These centres will be provided funds of Rs 250 crore each. 

Secondly, the government has announced ‘MetroLite’ and ‘MetroNeo’ technologies to provide metro rail systems at much lesser cost with similar experience in Tier-2 cities and peripheral areas of Tier-1 cities.

Thirdly, the government will work with the state governments for reduction of time for land and construction approvals and promote affordable housing.

Source:  This post is based on the article “Centre to set up high-level panel on urban policies” published in The Hindu on 2nd Feb 2022.