Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Bhopal’s Master Plan Remains Stalled After Nearly 22 Years
Bhopal has been using an old city plan that officially expired in 2005.
The plan was made for a much smaller population than the city has today.
Different governments have tried to create a new plan, but the work has repeatedly stopped.
Officials and ministers have raised objections about land, water areas and other provisions.
A new draft was prepared in about 10 months and shown to the public in March 2020.
The government changed soon afterward, so the draft was not put into effect.
A former Congress minister says the later BJP government delayed it for political and administrative reasons.
Other officials say the process became difficult because of objections and changing conditions.
An expert has recommended planning around transport, housing and infrastructure to guide Bhopal’s future growth.
Bhopal’s 1995 master plan, designed for a projected population of 10–15 lakh, expired in 2005.
Successive governments have struggled to replace it because of objections, administrative scrutiny and changing political priorities.
A draft prepared under the Kamal Nath government in about 10 months was publicly presented in March 2020 but was never implemented.
Former minister Jaivardhan Singh accused the BJP government of delaying the plan to preserve discretionary control over land-use and building permissions.
Planning experts have suggested land pooling, transit-oriented development, affordable housing and infrastructure-led growth for Bhopal’s expansion.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh urban development authorities, successive state governments, Bhopal Municipal Corporation and planning experts are involved.
- What
- Bhopal’s replacement master plan has remained unimplemented for nearly 22 years after the previous plan expired.
- When
- The previous plan was valid until 2005; a newer draft was publicly presented in March 2020.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The process has been delayed by objections, administrative scrutiny, changing political and planning priorities, and the change of government after the 2020 draft was presented.
Criticism of Political Delay
Administrative and Planning Obstacles
Why the plan stalled
Criticism of Political Delay
Former minister Jaivardhan Singh alleged that the BJP government delayed the draft to preserve a “permit raj” and discretion over land-use and building permissions.
Administrative and Planning Obstacles
Former minister Jayant Kumar Malaiya said objections at different stages, including concerns about water areas and specific provisions, often send a plan back for further scrutiny.
Who makes the final decision
Criticism of Political Delay
Jaivardhan Singh argued that the completed draft should have moved toward notification after public consultation.
Administrative and Planning Obstacles
Kailash Vijayvargiya said earlier efforts also encountered unfavorable factors and conditions, adding that the final decision ultimately rested with the chief minister.
- Previous plan
- The 1995 master plan was designed for a projected population of around 10–15 lakh.
- Expiry
- The 1995 plan’s validity ended in 2005.
- New draft
- A draft prepared under the Kamal Nath government was completed in about 10 months using GIS, satellite mapping and stakeholder consultations.
- Public presentation
- The draft was presented at Minto Hall in March 2020, after which objections and suggestions were invited.
- Political change
- The government fell shortly after the draft was presented, leaving it without final implementation.
- Current impact
- Bhopal has expanded beyond the boundaries and population projections of the last fully implemented plan.
- Suggested approach
- An expert recommended considering land pooling, transit-oriented development, affordable and rental housing, and infrastructure-led growth.