PLANNING A FUTURE-READY INDORE

Q Indore’s Master Plan 2047 lays out a long-term vision for the city. How do you see its growth over the next two decades while addressing emerging challenges and attracting investment, creating sustainable infrastructure, im proving liveability, ensuring balanced regional development, and preparing the city to accommodate population growth, changing economic needs, and evolving urban aspirations?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: Indore has immense potential, and our focus is on unlocking it. One of the biggest challenges in urban development is the availability of resources. We are preparing the Master Plan in a way that allows resources to be generated alongside development, making growth financially sustainable. A key feature of the plan is the proposed growth corridor, which will also function as a green corridor. It is designed as a model of blue-green networking, balancing development with environmental conservation. We are also adopting a metropolitan planning approach to ensure coordinated regional growth. The plan has been designed to be investor-friendly for the next two de cades. We want to create an ecosystem that attracts greater investment while catering to diverse urban needs. Mixed land use will play a central role, allowing residential, commercial and other activi ties to coexist instead of being confined to rigid zones.

Q Indore has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing cities. Which sectors do you expect will drive the next phase of growth, and how is the Master Plan preparing for them?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: Because of its vast hinterland, Indore is an important hub for healthcare and education. With the development of Mahakal Lok, the city is also expected to benefit from the growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors. Indore offers significant opportunities in the industrial, logistics, and manufacturing sectors and will continue to do so. IT, AI, and knowledge-based services will also find Indore an attractive destination because of its favourable investment climate, skilled workforce, and relatively affordable real estate. The next phase of Master plan is going to be an investment friendly plan which will be supported by the robust infrastructure.

Q How can regional planning reshape housing, infrastructure and mobility in and around Indore?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: In Indore’s context, regional planning essentially means metropolitan planning. The metropolitan region extends well beyond the city and includes seven vibrant urban centres within a radius of nearly 50 kilometres, including Pithampur, Dhar, Mhow, Indore, Dewas, Sanwer and Ujjain. Each of these cities has its own identity and strengths. Pithampur is an industrial hub, Ujjain is a major religious city, Mhow is a cantonment town, while the others contribute in different ways to the region’s economy and development. By planning at the metropolitan level, we can create stronger linkages between these cities, improve infrastructure and mobility, and support balanced growth across the region. This regional planning exercise will benefit not only Indore but also its neighbouring cities, creating a more integrated and economically vibrant metropolitan area.

Q The Master Plan talks about compact development and mixed land use. How will these planning principles improve the way people live, work and commute?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: Compact development is a more sustainable approach to urban growth. Higher-density, mixed land use brings homes, workplaces, and public amenities closer together, supporting efficient public transport while reducing travel time. It also encourages walking and cycling, improves access to essential services, and makes more efficient use of urban infrastructure, resulting in a more livable and sustainable city.


Indore’s next chapter will depend on how well the city manages growth, connects surrounding towns, builds infrastructure and protects its environment while attracting investment.


Q Large urban plans often face challenges during implementation. What do you see as the biggest hurdles in delivering Master Plan 2047?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: Our approach to the Indore Development Plan 2047 is to make it an “Aatmanirbhar Plan” with a strong focus on financial sustainability. Innovative financing mechanisms such as land value capture, betterment levy, premium on FAR, and land use upgradation fees have been incorporated to generate the resources required for infrastructure development. The Development Authority will be entrusted to ensure timely provision of trunk infrastructure through a phased implementation of Town Development Schemes, enabling planned and coordinated urban growth.

Q The private sector will play an important role in shaping Indore’s future. What policy support or planning reforms will encourage responsible private investment?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: We proposed to have facilitating provision to have Town Development Schemes done by private sector also. With investment friendly proposals, simplified development control norms, collaborative approach and a framework for timely development of trunk infrastructure will encourage the private sector to play a vital role in the future development.

Q Indore has consistently been recognised as India’s cleanest city. How is the Master Plan ensuring sustainability, environmental resilience and a better quality of life as the city grows?

Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee: Over the next 20 years, Indore’s population is expected to almost double. That will place significant pressure on land, infrastructure, green spaces and water resources. The Master Plan makes adequate provisions to address these challenges while ensuring that the city’s environmental assets are protected. Indore is also one of India’s two wetland cities and is home to two Ramsar sites. These ecologically sensitive areas require special protection, and the plan incorporates measures to safeguard them. Climate resilience is another major priority. Rising temperatures and heat stress will become increasingly important issues in the future. To address this, we are focusing on expanding the city’s green cover and preserving natural ecosystems. Our objective is to ensure that Indore’s growth remains environmentally responsible while continuing to offer a high quality of life for its residents.