G.O.(Ms).No.130, Constitution of Urban Development Authority for Coimbatore as an Adhoc Body, 2021

What the government created

The Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development [UD4(1)] Department, through Government Order G.O.(Ms).No.130 dated 22 November 2021, created three bodies:

• The Coimbatore Urban Development Authority as an adhoc body.
• An Advisory Council to advise on preparing and coordinating development plans.
• A Planning Cell to initiate specific urban development plans and projects and assist the Member Secretary.

The adhoc arrangement was created because the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 did not then provide for the constitution and functioning of such authorities. The document states that amendments had been initiated and that the authority's exact composition would be finalised when those amendments were enacted.

Area and planning background

The Coimbatore local planning area had an existing master plan prepared in 1994, covering 1,276 square kilometres. During the master plan review, an expanded area of 1,532 square kilometres was proposed, comprising the Corporation of Coimbatore, 25 town panchayats and 71 revenue villages.

The Coimbatore master plan under preparation was intended to provide a strategy for future development, including transportation corridors such as Metro Rail. The government cited population growth, uneven development and pressure on roads, health and educational facilities, water supply and sanitation as reasons for establishing a separate authority.

Main powers and functions

The Coimbatore Urban Development Authority is authorised to:

• Prepare development plans for all or part of its jurisdiction, and enforce and implement those plans.
• Formulate other plans or projects for the Coimbatore Urban Area, subject to government approval.
• Coordinate execution of development plans approved by the State Government.
• Supervise projects entrusted to it by the government.
• Finance and execute projects included in development plans.
• Perform other functions prescribed or assigned by the government.

The Advisory Council advises the authority on preparing and implementing development plans. The Planning Cell consists of a Senior Town Planner, an engineer and supporting staff.

Relevance to property owners and buyers

Property owners, buyers and professionals in the proposed Coimbatore Planning Area may be affected by development plans prepared, enforced or implemented by the Coimbatore Urban Development Authority. The document establishes the planning machinery, but it does not itself publish the new master plan or specify individual land use changes for particular properties.