What does the new Bhopal masterplan look like?

The Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled its new Bhopal Development Plan-2047, marking the first comprehensive masterplan for the city in over two decades since the last one in 1995. The most notable feature of the 2047 plan is a 51-kilometer Growth Corridor, designated as an economic and urban spine, aiming to link various development projects ranging from the proposed Education Knowledge Artificial Intelligence (EKAI) City to the airport and logistics areas.

Unlike its predecessor, this plan focuses on a diverse range of activities, including hotels, healthcare, IT, AI infrastructure, wholesale trade, malls, corporate offices, educational institutions, and housing along the corridor.

Significantly, the plan increases the city's green footprint, boosting it from around 16% in the 2005 masterplan to 27% under the 2047 plan. This expansion emphasizes the protection of Bhojtal and its surroundings, forests, hills, ponds, water bodies, and tiger movement corridors, with open spaces at the colony level rising from 10% to 12%.

To offset the land loss, a Green Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) mechanism has been introduced, allowing landowners to transfer their development rights while preserving green areas.

The plan also aims to revitalize the existing education hub at Bhauri into the EKAI City, fostering an environment of education, research, innovation, and an AI-driven knowledge economy. This initiative is anticipated to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities, positioning Bhopal for sustained development.