Maharashtra Regional and Town 5 Planning Act, 1966

Definition:

“Development plan” means a plan for the development or re-development of the area within
the jurisdiction of a Planning Authority and includes revision of a development plan and
proposals of a special planning Authority for development of land within its jurisdictions

INTRODUCTION.

The growing urbanization that migration and economic development cause generates the
need for controlling the urban sprawl and providing infrastructure and services in a planned
manner. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), nearly 70% of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050. This
means that most of the resources and activities will concentrate in cities. Today, cities occupy
0.5% of the world’s surface but use 75% of its resources. With urbanization increasing at a
rapid pace and on a global scale, city managers are facing pressing challenges—a lack of
infrastructure, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, waste disposal, and disaster
response. Countries need to address these issues swiftly to ensure a better future, and to make
cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

India has been experiencing an economic boom and subsequently a fast-paced urbanization
process. McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) projections show India’s urban population soaring
from 340 million in 2008 to 590 million in 2030. It took nearly 40 years (between 1971 and
2008) for the urban population in India to rise by nearly 230 million. It will take only half
that time to add the next 250 million. The pace is likely to increase further until 2050 (Shirish
Sankhe 2010). To match the speed of urbanization, in urban areas, including suburbs, the
planning and development need to be swift, efficient, and inclusive. Land acquisition has
been a predominant tool for land purchasing and development in the Indian context

Development Plan

Under the provisions of section 21 to 31 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning
Act, 1966, for the areas covered under the jurisdiction of the local bodies such as the
Municipal Corporation / Municipal Council / Nagar Panchayat, the provision is made to
prepare a draft development plan showing the proposed land use and public facilities as per
future population. The plans are approved by the Urban Development Department of the
Government

Presently, in the state of Maharashtra, there are 386 local authorities, including 27
municipalities, 17‘A’ class Municipal councils, 72 ‘B’ class Municipal councils, 144‘C’ class
Municipal councils and 126 Nagar Panchayats. Out of these, the development plan of all the
local authorities have been approved by the government at least once, except for the 122 new
Nagar Panchayats and 16 Nagar Parishads. Apart from this, development plans have been
prepared for some Grampanchayat areas, for which the Zilla Parishad is the Planning
Authority. Due to the requirement of expertise in preparing development plan for the
municipal corporation areas, special units have been created headed by Deputy Director,
town planning.Some special planning authorities have also been established under the
provision of section 40(1b), Area Development Authority under section 42 of the MR & TP
Act, 1966. Such Planning Authorities too can prepare the development plan or planning
proposals for their areas and implement it after getting the same sanctioned from the Govt.

Contents of Development Plan

1. Proposals of zoning for various purposes

2. Designation of land for public purposes
3. Transport and Communication
4. Water supply, drainage etc.
5. Sites for community facilities
6. Sites for industries
7. Preservation, conservation proposals of natural sceneries
8. Preservation of features of historical, natural, architectural, heritage interest
9. Proposals for flood control etc.
10. Development Control & Promotion Regulations.