THE DAILY TELEGRAMS, July 4, 2009

Plans afoot for orderly development of city in harmony with nature

Staff Reporter

Port Blair, July 03

An open house meeting was organized by the APWD for discussion on
the provision of the Draft Master Plan (DMP) for Port Blair Planning
Area-2028. The Port Blair master plan is set to achieve regulation of
new physical entities and activities in an orderly manner, a self
reliant and inclusive development, balanced economic progress through
optimal use of resources, orderly spatial developments in tune with the
ecological footprint and enhanced quality of life for the citizens.

Addressing the gathering, the Secretary, Public Works, Shri Ved
Prakash said that the discussion on the DMP has been arranged to elicit
suggestions from the general public and the senior citizens for
incorporating it before the finalizing it. Every effort will be made to
see that the DMP is a realistic one and every suggestion is given due
consideration to ensure that life of people are not affected.

The DMP is not aimed displacement of people from their homes rather
it has been planned for providing better facilities to the masses, the
Secretary said, adding that as per the suggestion emerged from the
discussion, another session of discussion will be organized soon in
which other concerned officials will be asked to attend.

In her speech, the Chairperson, PBMC, Smt. S Selvi said that the
master plan proposes development in all spheres which could solve not
only the issues of city area but also it will accelerate growth and
sustainable development of the interior areas.

In his address on the occasion, the Chief Engineer, APWD, Shri R. K
Ghosh said that the DMP has been prepared by Anna University consultants
and Associate Town & Country Planner, APWD. The Master Plan has many new
projects like – construction of cable stayed bridge between Chatham and
Hope Town, Andaman Marine Drive on the Western Coast of Port Blair from
Haddo to Dandus Point, New International Airport at Calicut, Flat Bay
Water Supply Project, New Intercity Bus Terminus and Truck Terminal at
Garacharma, Engineering College at Ograbraj and Integrated
Administrative Complex at Homfreygunj etc. This was followed by feedback
session from the participants. The need and the purpose of the DMP is to
control/regulate haphazard development, to encourage the growth in
orderly & sustainable manner, to reduce traffic congestion and prevent
incompatible land uses, to identify areas for preservation and
conservation and to ensure a planned development in view of recent
disaster and global warming.

Informing about the DMP, the Associate Town & Country Planner, APWD,
Shri Balamurugan informed that a contiguous land area extending over 31
villages around Port Blair has been delineated as “Port Blair Planning
Area”. The DMP proposals have been drawn bearing in mind, the
aspirations of the society and the need of the population till the year
2028. The deficiencies of the present and the requirements for the
future have been analyzed and a comprehensive list of projects have been
derived, he added.

A lively discussion on the DMP was held in which people from all
walks of life participated. The meeting was also attended by the
Adhyaksha Zila Parishad, South Andaman, Ms VK Mariyam Bibi, Up-
Adhyaksh, Shri Raja Ram, and Chairperson SSWB, Smt. Shanta Singh.

The meeting concluded with the request that all the participants may
go through the Draft Master Plan, which is displayed at four places viz.
Town & Country Planning Unit, CE’s Office, APWD, Office of the
Secretary, PBMC, Office of the Executive Engineer, CD-II, APWD,
Prothrapur and office of the Executive Engineer, RCD, APWD, Wimberlygunj
and also published in the A&N Administration website www.and.nic.in etc
and submit their views before July 31, 2009 for consideration for
finalization of the plan.