Need for the Project

1. Need for the Project Potentials • The planning area has developed amidst a vast agricultural hinterland producing high yielding variety of paddy, rice, wheat, mustard, and vegetables. • Barddhaman town being the district headquarter, has recorded a high urban growth (27.35%, 1991-01). Also, being in close proximity to Kolkata Urban Agglomeration, it serves the region as a major service provider for all kinds of quality education and health facilities. • The per capita income of BPA is relatively high (about Rs. 15,000/- p.a.) as compared to the state average (around Rs. 12,000/- p.a.) arising out of wholesale trading in agriculture surplus. INTRODUCTION

2. Need for the Project Potentials • The availability of potential land can be utilized for inviting new investment in development of specialized institutions for agricultural support services such as packaging, food processing, marketing etc. • Endowed with cultural heritage like historical monuments, temples, mosques, and a natural setting, this region can be developed as a potential tourist destination. INTRODUCTION

3. Need for the Project Threats • Haphazard and uncontrolled growth may lead to incompatible land use, generation of mixed traffic, especially due to setting up of shopping malls, entertainment centres etc. • Wide disparity w.r.t. access to water, sanitation, and drainage within municipal area and adjoining fringe areas will grow if not addressed. • Water logging, a common feature in and around the town after heavy rain. • Increasing Traffic congestion near the core areas due to rapid increase in slow and fast moving vehicles all along the old G.T. Road. • Under utilization of vacant and fallow land may increase the pressure on urban areas. INTRODUCTION

4. Relevance of the Project • Perspective Plan is a long term policy for spatio-economic development • Flexible • Proscriptive • Outline strategies for resource allocation • Derives methodology for improving physical and social infrastructure • Identify institutional mechanisms for managing development in a sustainable manner • Will trigger co-lateral development of hinterland • Raise the level of over all welfare INTRODUCTION

5. Types of Plan PERSPECTIVE PLAN • Long term (20 - 25 years) • Flexible • Policy document for spatio - economic development • Proscriptive • ANNUAL PLAN • Short term - related to financial year • Detailed physical and fiscal allocation of new and ongoing projects. PLAN OF PROJECTS / SCHEMES • Sectoral • Action Plan • Detail layout of plans and schemes • Prescriptive INTRODUCTION Source: UDPFI Guidelines, 1996

6. Relevance of Plan Document • Absence of Perspective Plan will lead to haphazard growth and adhoc / piecemeal solutions • This planning initiative will endeavor to create an economically and environmentally self-sustaining area with an optimal distribution of resources and provision of facilities for improved quality of life within a sustainable planning framework • Perspective Plan will open opportunity for guided overall development, special area development in order to - boost economy - enhance QoL - invite new investment - utilize resource optimally - built positive image INTRODUCTION

7. Goals of Perspective Plan • Socially beneficial • Regionally contextual • Environmentally sustainable • Financially viable • Institutionally executable • Politically acceptable INTRODUCTION

8. Contents of Perspective Plan • Existing characteristics and potentials of region - Settlement Systems - Demography - Economic Base and Employment - Resource and Environmental Sustainability - Physical and Social Infrastructure - Housing and Slums • Identification of policy issues through Participatory Approach • Projected requirements and assessment of deficiencies • Evaluation of alternative set of Development Strategies • Future Growth Direction • Investment Programmes and Priorities • Development Management and Capacity Building INTRODUCTION

9. Conceptual framework Existing Conditions and Trends -Regional Level -Local Level Identification Of Problems Need Assessment Goal Formulation Derivation of Objectives Projection of Trends Formulation of Alternative set of Development Strategies Perspective Plan Resource Availability -Institutional -Human -Physical Evaluation of Alternative set of Development Strategies Derivation of Optimal set of Development Strategies Formulation of Specific Action Plan and Programmes 5yr Plan Formulation of Action Plan and Programmes Determination of Programme Priorities INTRODUCTION Specific Projects/ Programme Detailing Integrated Annual Development Plan and Budget Detailing Annual Plan Programme/ Project Implementation Development Monitoring and Performance Evaluation Periodic Feedback

10. Major Stakeholders • Barddhaman Development Authority • Municipalities and Corporations • Zilla Parishads • District Functionaries • Representatives of Industries and Chamber of Commerce • Foreign Investors • Representatives of NGOs and CBOs • Other Government Departments INTRODUCTION

11. Actors in Planning Process • The People • Interest Groups like Directorate of T&CP • Developers & Entrepreneurs • Government Departments • Administrators & Judiciaries • Funding Agencies • N.G.O’s & Academic Institutions • Eminent Experts – Technocrats, Scientists, Intellectuals • Media • IIT Kharagpur – Planning Consultant INTRODUCTION