Township: 55 percent share of developed areas will go to landowner

Patna, (ABN) Addressing journalists at the Sochna Bhavan conference hall, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Vinay Kumar, shared details regarding the development of satellite townships. In a historic step towards planned urbanization in the state, the government has decided to develop eleven greenfield satellite townships under the Bihar Town Planning Scheme Rules, 2025. This initiative is not just about developing basic infrastructure; it also serves as a means of empowering landowners.

Key features of the scheme:
- Every parcel of land within the scheme area will be provided with amenities such as wide roads, electricity, drainage systems, and gutters.
- Irregular and scattered plots will be consolidated and reorganized, thereby increasing their market value and usability.
- The allocation of regular plots will facilitate construction activities and increase the overall value of properties.
- The state government aims to return the maximum possible portion of developed land to the original landowners. Under this provision, landowners will receive 55% of the developed land.
- 22% of the land will be used for constructing roads and infrastructure.
- 5% will be developed into parks, green spaces, and public amenities.
- 3% will be used to provide housing for local residents belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS).
- The authority will retain 15% of the land to recover the costs incurred in constructing basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water drainage, and gutters.

After development, the market value of the land has seen an extraordinary increase, often rising to ten times its original value, thus protecting the economic interests of landowners.

Individuals who do not wish to participate in the town planning scheme for any reason will be included in the plan through dialogue and mutual consent with the authority. Under this provision, such landowners can receive compensation from the authority at market rates, in the form of TDR (Transferable Development Rights, which can also be traded in the open market), or in the form of a share in the developed building.

The total value of the assistance provided under this framework will be approximately four times the market value of the originally provided land, ensuring that no individual incurs any financial loss.

The temporary ban on land transactions within the designated area of the proposed township is solely for the benefit of landowners. As development effects become apparent, it is often seen that farmers are forced to sell their land at lower prices. This restriction ensures that no landowner is compelled to sell their valuable land at a lower price. Once the scheme is completed and necessary infrastructure is established, these landowners will be entitled to either sell their properties at proper rates or undertake development work themselves. This measure has been taken to protect their economic interests and prevent them from being deprived of future financial benefits.

The scheme is entirely transparent. Landowners and the general public will be consulted at every stage, from the drafting of the plan to the reorganization of land parcels. The government's primary objective is to ensure that the original landowners emerge as the real beneficiaries of this development process.

The temporary ban serves to directly deliver the real benefits of development to landowners, rather than allocating them through intermediaries.

The town planning scheme represents a visionary initiative aimed at organizing Bihar's urban landscape and empowering small and marginalized landowners.

On this occasion, Special Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Mr. Rajiv Kumar Srivastava, and Additional Secretary, Mr. Manoj Kumar, were present.