Ranchi (Jharkhand): The Centre has approved 14.69 crore rs (14,69,10,600) for preparing Geographic Information System (GIS)-based master plans for 17 urban local bodies in Jharkhand. Proposed for 2026-27, the scheme falls under a sub-scheme of the centrally sponsored AMRUT 2.0 for Class-II cities. Following the approval, the state’s Urban Development and Housing Department has issued an order to withdraw 1.02 Rs. crore as the first instalment and informed the Accountant General (Accounts and Entitlements).
How the Funds Will Be Spent
According to the departmental order, 2.45 Rs. crore is earmarked for geo-database creation, 11.90 crore Rs. for master plan preparation and 34 lakh Rs. for capacity building. Besides Ranchi, the beneficiary bodies include Mihijam, Pakur, Chirkunda, Garhwa, Dumka, Godda, Chaibasa, Chatra, Gumla, Madhupur, Chakradharpur, Lohardaga, Bishrampur, Simdega, Kapali and Jugsalai. Ranchi is a municipal corporation, while the rest are municipal councils. Ranchi, Dumka, Lohardaga, Bishrampur and Simdega get the highest allocation of ₹90 lakh each.
Approval Process and Funding
The proposal was cleared by the State Level High-Powered Steering Committee on October 16 last year and sent to the Centre. It received approval on February 26 at an Apex Committee meeting chaired by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary. On July 17, the Town and Country Planning Organisation informed the state of the sanctioned amount. The Centre will bear the entire cost, and the Deputy Director of the State Urban Development Agency will be the drawing and disbursing officer.
Planned Development of Small and Mid-Sized Cities
The scheme aims at planned and sustainable development of small and medium cities with populations between 50,000 and 99,999. GIS and drone/UAV technology will be used to prepare digital maps and master plans, along with an accurate analysis of land use, transport, water supply, sewerage, drainage and public amenities. Once the plans are fully implemented, citizens will be able to check from home whether a plot is residential, commercial or agricultural.
