Study will help in assessing the land use pattern for upcoming and existing housing projects

Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) will conduct a study to assess land margin and land-use pattern for new development plans after taking lessons from devastating floods that had hit Surat in August 2006. Based upon its suggestions, a proposal will be forwarded to the state government for action.

The survey is part of the recommendations made by the investigation committee, set up to investigate the reasons for 2006 floods. Based upon these recommendations, state government had suggested some points to SMC and Surat Urban Development Authority (Suda) and had asked them to fulfill them in a specified time period. Based on these, Suda has asked CEPT to conduct a study for development plan.

Under the study, CEPT will analyse the land use and its pattern in the areas adjoining Tapi river and will also suggest a model needed for preparing an improved development plan for the city. The study is important as it will help in deciding development plans, town-planning and development control regulation (DCR). A report upon these suggestions will be submitted to Suda and SMC, based upon which these both bodies will formulate a concrete policy report for the city. The report will be then forwarded to state government for further study and approval.

The committee had suggested recommendations for SMC to make arrangement for controlling flood waters. The suggestions were — diversion of Varachha rivulet, strengthening of embankment walls on Tapi river (around 1800 metres), laying of storm water lines and updating disaster action plan.

Municipal commissioner S Aprana said, "Majority of work is at last stage and we hope to complete them prior to monsoon to avert any untoward situation. We have updated our disaster management plan and this year we have even prepared zonal-level disaster plans.

Rishi Banerji/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication