Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Monday stated that the newly announced Rajasthan Township Policy 2024 is not only aimed at building townships but also at creating ecosystems that are green, inclusive, and growth-oriented. “This policy is a blueprint for Rajasthan’s urban future,” said Sharma in an official statement. The policy mandates inclusion of parks, green zones, and public utility spaces in all residential townships. Each project must earmark 7% of its land for parks and playgrounds and 8% for community services and utilities. Additionally, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems will be compulsory for all new developments. A major highlight is the policy’s Antyodaya vision, which prioritises affordable housing for the economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG). To further ease the lives of workers, industrial projects will now be required to reserve 5% of their land for labour housing, reducing commute times and enhancing productivity. To protect consumer interests, the policy introduces developer accountability mechanisms. Developers must retain 2.5% of project land as collateral to ensure infrastructure maintenance for at least five years or until the handover to a Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA). Acknowledging the limitations of land in urban centres, the policy promotes vertical development and encourages high-rise residential projects, alongside mixed land-use plans. Group housing, plotted schemes, flat systems, commercial hubs, sub-city centres, and community spaces will be part of this integrated approach. For better urban mobility, the policy paves the way for the construction of large sector roads, following the Jaipur Development Authority’s model. Land acquisition for these projects will be based on mutual consent to minimise disputes. In a significant push for renewable energy, the policy removes earlier restrictions on setting up solar and wind energy plants, even on land without formal road access in revenue records.
