A meeting of the Basar Planning Authority (BPA) was held on Saturday, chaired by Leparada Deputy Commissioner Himani Meena, to discuss and finalize the proposed local planning area (LPA) boundaries for the formulation of the comprehensive Basar township master plan.
The meeting was attended by members of the BPA, invited public representatives, and PRI members from segments adjoining Basar township and falling within the proposed planning area. The primary focus of the meeting was to sensitize PRI members and other public stakeholders to the importance of planned and sustainable urban development and the need for strategic planning to guide the future growth and expansion of Basar township.
The DC informed that the BPA is currently undertaking the preparation of a state-of-the-art, GIS-based master plan for Basar township. She highlighted that the declaration of a clearly defined LPA is a statutory requirement for determining the jurisdiction of the master plan, which may encompass both the existing urban area and its peripheral rural areas. A well-defined planning area is essential for ensuring systematic development, regulating future growth, and preventing haphazard expansion of the township.
Addressing concerns raised regarding the inclusion of rural pockets within the proposed LPA, the DC clarified that inclusion within the planning area does not automatically convert or classify such rural areas as urban land. Instead, the objective is to facilitate coordinated, regulated, and sustainable development in accordance with the provisions of the applicable planning laws.
Town planner Tabom Tamut delivered a presentation explaining the procedural aspects of declaring an LPA, relevant statutory provisions, planning jurisdictions, and urban development protocols. The presentation addressed various apprehensions and queries raised by the public representatives and stakeholders. The proposal to extend the existing urban area to formally include the Old Market area and the Pajo area was also discussed and reviewed in detail.
The interactive deliberations witnessed active participation of PRI members and public representatives, emphasizing the importance of timely and systematic planning to ensure orderly and sustainable growth of Basar township. Following detailed deliberations, the BPA unanimously adopted key resolutions for further action, accepting the draft proposal for the proposed LPA and resolving to formally recommend it to the state government for issuance of the preliminary notification.
The authority further resolved to undertake a comprehensive public awareness and sensitization campaign across all constituent villages during the statutory period following issuance of the preliminary notification. The campaign will be carried out with the active involvement of PRI leaders, public representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure that the general public is adequately informed about the proposed LPA, the planning process, and its long-term benefits.
