Bhopal – Madhya Pradesh is set to embark on an ambitious urban development project, with plans to establish 10 smart cities modeled after Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). This initiative, recently announced by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in Indore, aims to create integrated hubs for health, education, industry, and housing.

In the first phase, the state capital, Bhopal, has been selected for the development of an integrated township. This township will be built on a sprawling 1600 acres of land to be acquired from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). This proposal has already received a green signal from the central government, paving the way for a holistic urban environment where all essential needs will be met within a single, well-planned area.

The land for this integrated township holds historical significance, as it was part of the approximately 6,000 acres provided by the Madhya Pradesh government to the Government of India for the BHEL project between 1962 and 1967. Of this, about 2,000 acres remained unused, and 1600 acres are now being returned to the state for this pioneering development. The project envisions residential buildings, industrial plots, schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and other necessary facilities, creating a self-sufficient urban ecosystem. Furthermore, a 50-50 per cent revenue sharing model has been proposed between the State Government and BHEL from this scheme.

To maximize land utilization in the Bhopal metropolitan area, the plan includes the construction of multi-storied buildings. Additionally, residential schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) will be incorporated, ensuring that lower-income groups also benefit from this modern urban development.

Beyond Bhopal, other cities will be chosen based on their potential to foster industrial development, investment, and employment opportunities, with a strong focus on robust infrastructure.

The state government has already initiated departmental preparations, involving the Urban Development and Housing Department and other relevant agencies, to bring this vision to fruition. An action plan is currently being prepared under the monitoring of Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, and an expert agency will soon be appointed to draft the Detailed Project Report (DPR). DeshGujarat