The much awaited final report on the Comprehensive Development Plan of Bhubaneswar, prepared by IIT-Kharagpur, has finally been notified by the Orissa government.
The long-term perspective plan of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban Complex (BCUC), which spells out the vision for 2030, envisages an investment of Rs 29,560 crore in sectors like traffic and transportation, housing, physical infrastructure, social infrastructure, tourism and heritage.
Out of this investment, public investment will be to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore which will be raised through specially created BCUC Infrastructure Fund. The balance requirement will be met through long-term loans, capital finance through devolution of funds, user charges, increased and reformed tax base and improved collection.
As per the estimates of the CDP, the population of the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA), which comprises around 58 per cent of the BCUC region, is set to reach 30 lakh by 2030. The density of population is set to rise to 29-30 persons per sq km by that time, up from the existing 13-15 persons per sq km.
The east Kuakhai and Tamando regions are estimated to have the highest growth rate of population at around 600 per cent followed by Gangapara and Aiginia regions at 273 per cent and 253 per cent respectively.
To accommodate this increasing population, an additional 3.6 lakh housing units will be needed in the BDPA region by 2030. The area for future housing requirement has been computed to be around 9200 acres.
The housing strategy includes re-densification of the planning units for compact growth, development of new housing colonies and new townships in the extensive development zones and augmentation of the existing housing schemes that are indicating slow growth.
It is anticipated that the BDPA will generate a significant demand for housing in the 750-1200 sq ft range, owing to the growth in IT and ITes sectors.
Khurda and Jatani are likely to maintain their low-rise built up character while the escalation of land prices will see growth of multi-stories apartments and some condominiums in the Chandrasekharpur, Aiginia, Pokhariput and east Kuakhai areas.
On slum development, the CDP says that the total number of slums in the BDPA area is 193 out of which 62 are authorized slums and 131 unauthorized slums.
Keeping in view the water requirement of the increased population, the CDP has emphasized on the need for a Master Plan for water supply. The tentative cost of the proposed water supply system for BDPAS has been estimated at Rs 1125 crore.
