Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Bhopal Master Plan 2047 May Leave Arera Colony Problems Unchanged
Bhopal is preparing a long-term development plan for the year 2047.
The plan could change road widths, land use and building rules.
People living in Arera Colony worry that it may not solve their current problems.
They especially mention a lack of parking and daily amenities.
Some government-leased homes are reportedly being used as offices instead of houses.
This has caused large vehicles to park in the area and has damaged sewage lines and residents’ gates.
The plan lists parking sites in several parts of Bhopal, but not separately for Arera Colony.
An architecture expert says the city should check its water, drainage and electricity capacity before allowing more construction.
Residents also remain uncertain about how the plan will deal with leased properties.
The proposed Bhopal Development Plan 2047 would revise road, land-use and building-development rules.
Residents and experts say parking and basic amenities remain major concerns in Arera Colony.
Residents allege government-leased homes are being used as offices, creating parking and infrastructure problems.
The draft lists parking facilities elsewhere but provides no separate parking inventory for Arera Colony.
Experts want water, drainage, electricity and other civic capacities assessed before further development.
- Who
- Arera Colony residents, including Purnendu Shukla, and experts including Dr Krishna Kumar Dhote.
- What
- They have raised concerns about the proposed Bhopal Development Plan 2047, especially parking, leased properties and infrastructure capacity.
- When
- The concerns relate to the proposed development plan for 2047.
- Where
- Arera Colony in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; the draft also identifies parking sites across the wider study area.
- Why
- Residents fear increased commercialisation and redevelopment could worsen parking, drainage and other civic-service pressures.
Resident and Expert Concerns
Draft-Plan Provisions
Commercialisation and neighbourhood character
Resident and Expert Concerns
Residents say the draft places too much emphasis on commercialisation and may weaken the character and quality of life of residential neighbourhoods.
Draft-Plan Provisions
The draft includes broad mixed-land-use provisions and rules for land use and building development, but the article does not state a separate official response defending these provisions.
Parking and infrastructure
Resident and Expert Concerns
Residents and experts fear redevelopment and office use of leased properties will increase parking pressure and strain water, drainage, electricity and other services.
Draft-Plan Provisions
The draft identifies parking facilities and locations across the wider study area, along with road, drainage and development requirements, but it does not provide a separate parking inventory for Arera Colony.
Use of leased properties
Resident and Expert Concerns
Residents object that government-leased residential quarters are being used as offices, causing large-vehicle parking and damage to sewage lines and gates.
Draft-Plan Provisions
The draft’s treatment of government-leased properties remains unclear; the article says land-use regularisation would not by itself convert leases into freehold.
- Plan
- Proposed Bhopal Development Plan 2047
- Main location
- Arera Colony, Bhopal
- Listed parking locations
- 24 off-street locations, five multi-level facilities, 11 on-street locations and three premium parking locations
- Multi-level parking sites
- MP Nagar Zone-1, Bairagarh, New Market, Ibrahimpura and Moti Masjid
- Residential access roads
- Minimum width of nine metres
- Commercial layouts
- 12% open area, with half designated for parking
- Lease issue
- The article says leased land cannot be converted to freehold without Supreme Court directions.