Illustration for representational purpose

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is set to revise the Kerala Town and Country Planning Act (KTCPA), 2016 to address growing impact of rapid urbanisation and to ensure integrated climate resilient master plans.

An eight-member state-level committee with additional chief secretary, local self government department (LSGD) as the chairman has been formed to look into the revision of KTCPA, 2016 and the guidelines for expenditure, planning and budgeting.

Officials with department of town planning said that revision of the Act aims at addressing anomalies in existing system which were exposed during 2018 floods. As per the order issued by LSGD, the floods have brought into focus the need for better planning of urban areas so as to understand and withstand the impact of sudden high intensity floods and other natural disasters.

The committee will finalise the draft Town and Country Planning Act made with an institutional framework for development and implementation of master plans compliant with climate changes and resilient to natural disasters. It shall also amend existing regulations for investments by local bodies to comply with the revised master plans, including penal provisions for non-compliance. The committee will finalise and submit the draft TCP act and guidelines along with draft action plan by December 2019.

A 12-member sub-working committee has also been constituted to support the main committee in preparation of revised Town and Country Planning Act. It shall also assist with necessary amendments to the planning, budgeting and expenditure guidelines of local bodies. The sub-working committee will be supported by urban planners and specialists in decentralisation. The committee will submit its recommendations to the high-level empowered committee by July 31, 2019.

The Town and Country Planning Act is being revised keeping in view provisions envisaged in the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments. The move will reflect the need to review measures to improve conditions and infrastructure in tune with current rate of urbanisation and urban renewal programmes propelled by high economic growth.

The order says that although the planning guidelines earmark sectoral funds to local bodies, the allocations often get fragmented in small scale infrastructure schemes leading to inefficient fund utilization in larger investments impacting public service deliveries.

The flood damage analysis of buildings and settlements according to post disaster need analysis report had pointed out that many buildings in the flooded areas were either damaged or they collapsed because they were constructed without adequate disaster-resistant features such as plinth and lintel bands, as recommended in the NBC (National building code).

