DTCP rejig for better urban growth planned

ONLY 5% of Tamil Nadu, excluding Chennai, has planned urban growth as most other parts of the state do not have masterplans.

- C SHIVAKUMAR

In a bid to ensure that other parts of the state also benefit from planned urban development, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), the nodal agency for town planning in the state, is being restructured, Housing Minister S Muthusamy has told the Assembly.

More number of qualified planners will be appointed and revenue sources for urban development authorities across the state will be augmented through the restructuring exercise, a top DTCP official told TNIE.

On the lines of CMDA, the state has six planning authorities in Hosur, Tiruppur, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchy. By restructuring DTCP, the authorities will draw up plans for towns like flood ravaged Thoothukudi and ensure restrictions in seismic prone zones while constructing buildings.