GUWAHATI: The High-Level Committee (HLC) on Urban Planning has called for sweeping reforms to improve the state of urban development in India, emphasising the need for a professionalised and structured approach to city planning. A key recommendation is the creation of an All India Urban Planning Service, modelled after existing civil services like the Indian Information Service and Indian Audit and Accounts Service. This service would ensure the entry of qualified urban planners into the profession, raising the stature and effectiveness of urban planning at all levels of government.
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In its second report, submitted in October and recently made public, the HLC has also proposed significant changes to India’s urban transport policies. The committee recommended amendments to The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, to include pedestrians and cyclists in the definition of traffic. It stressed the importance of secure and safe walkability, highlighting the fact that a large portion of the Indian population depends on walking as their primary mode of transport, often on dangerous roads designed for cars. The report suggests the establishment of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to manage transport in major cities, alongside the creation of metro rail systems in cities with populations exceeding 5 million, with improved last-mile connectivity.
The HLC also suggested the formation of a National Urban and Regional Planning Authority to replace the outdated Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO), promoting modern, world-class urban planning practices across states. Additionally, the report recommends the establishment of City Economic Development Councils (CEDCs) to drive local economic growth, employment, and skills development, integrating them fully into local government frameworks.
The committee stressed the need for sustainable city development, with an emphasis on compact cities that encourage walking, public transport, and brownfield redevelopment. It also highlighted the importance of strategic urban planning that integrates urban, rural, and regional areas to manage the rapid pace of urbanisation. A proposed new City Urban Economic Development Mission, supported by leading businesses and urban planning experts, would help develop ‘future-ready’ Indian cities.
