LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to establish a housing development authority for Shahjahanpur, aiming to facilitate the city’s further expansion and ensure its systematic growth. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who also holds the portfolio of housing minister, along with senior officials in Lucknow on Monday.
Citing a steady increase in industrial activities and output in and around Shahjahanpur, Chief Minister Adityanath highlighted the city’s growing population over the years. In response to this growth, a comprehensive master plan extending up to 2031 has been developed for Shahjahanpur. The Chief Minister directed the officials to expedite the formation of a housing development authority to oversee construction and development activities in the city. Currently, 29 cities in Uttar Pradesh are governed by development authorities, and Shahjahanpur will be the 30th city to adopt standardised building by-laws and regulations.
This move follows the April 2018 upgrade of Shahjahanpur from a nagar palika to a nagar nigam, aimed at enhancing urban services for its residents. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to accelerate the execution of projects under the PM Jan Vikas Karyakram, a scheme focused on development works in minority-concentrated areas. He instructed officials to identify unused government buildings and structures for potential repair or completion to make them operational again.
Furthermore, Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to avoid designating abadi land within acquired villages on the city’s outskirts as green zones. He also urged revisions to building by-laws to boost the hospitality and tourism sectors. Specifically, the Chief Minister suggested considering the construction of hotels with six to 20 rooms within residential areas and colonies, provided there is adequate land without causing congestion. These establishments must ensure sufficient parking space, security, and fire safety measures. Additionally, officials were instructed to continuously scrutinise existing commercial properties to enforce adherence to norms. The establishment of the Shahjahanpur Development Authority marks a significant step towards structured urban planning and sustainable growth in the city, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and services for its residents.
