The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has provided a comprehensive update on its GIS-based urban planning initiatives under the AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 missions. The ministry supplements state efforts through schematic interventions and advisories, with urban planning being a function of Urban Local Bodies per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution.
Under AMRUT, the 'Formulation of GIS based Master Plan for AMRUT Cities' sub-scheme is 100% centrally funded and has onboarded 461 cities across 35 States/UTs. Progress shows final geospatial databases prepared for 437 cities, draft GIS-based master plans for 404 cities, and 292 master plans finalized. The AMRUT 2.0 sub-scheme for Class-II towns (population 50,000-99,999) covers 875 towns, with draft geospatial databases prepared for 399 towns (100 finalized) and draft GIS-based master plans for 136 towns (93 finalized).
The planning utilizes state-of-the-art GIS technologies with Very High Resolution Satellite imagery at 1:4000 scale under AMRUT (per MoHUA Design & Standards May 2016) and additional Drone/UAV mapping at 1:1000 scale under AMRUT 2.0 (per October 2020 standards). Geo-databases from 343 towns have been integrated with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal to enable coordinated infrastructure planning.
Capacity building efforts have trained approximately 2,968 officials through 79 programs under AMRUT and 2,648 officials through 34 programs under AMRUT 2.0. The ministry conducts regular review meetings with States/UTs and implementing agencies to monitor progress and resolve implementation issues.
While GIS-based planning enables integration of spatial information for land use, transport networks, utilities, and environmental areas, enforcement of master plans and action against unauthorized construction remains with State Governments/ULBs, dependent on regular GIS updates and integration with online building-permission systems.