Ranchi: Jharkhand is planning new satellite townships in major urbanised districts on the lines of Ranchi Smart City, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren directing officials to prepare a detailed action plan for planned urban expansion.
At a high-level meeting held at the Jharkhand Secretariat on September 3, CM Soren reviewed land-related work under the Greater Ranchi Development Authority (GRDA) and the Ranchi Smart City project. He also stressed the need to plan for Ranchi’s long-term expansion as its population and economic activity continue to grow.
Satellite Townships Planned Beyond Ranchi
The Chief Minister directed officials to examine the potential for developing satellite townships in other major urbanised districts of Jharkhand.
The proposed planning will consider the availability of land, connectivity, existing infrastructure and civic facilities. Officials have also been asked to assess future population requirements, employment opportunities and the need for safe and sustainable urban spaces.
The focus, according to the directions issued during the meeting, is not merely on expanding built-up areas. The new urban settlements are expected to provide easier mobility, better public services and a cleaner and more sustainable environment for residents.
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Citizen-Centric Approach to Urban Development
CM Soren emphasised that urbanisation should go beyond high-rise buildings and road construction. Future urban areas should be designed around the needs of citizens and the requirements of coming generations.
This approach would require authorities to consider how housing, transport, public services, employment and other essential facilities can develop together rather than treating them as separate projects.
The proposed satellite townships could therefore help manage the pressure created by growing urban populations while supporting more organised development outside existing city centres.
Ranchi Smart City Expansion Gets Long-Term Focus
The Ranchi Smart City project was another key focus of the meeting. CM Soren directed officials to begin planning its long-term expansion instead of waiting for future population and economic pressures to intensify.
The Chief Minister also indicated that discussions would be held with Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC) on land and other related matters for the planned development of the area.
Land availability is expected to be an important part of the expansion exercise. Officials have been instructed to speed up land-related processes and ensure that targets are completed within stipulated timelines.
Better Urban Infrastructure and New Economic Opportunities
The expansion of Ranchi Smart City and the proposed satellite townships are also expected to have an economic dimension.
Planned urban areas can create opportunities for businesses, investment and employment while improving access to infrastructure and public services. The government’s emphasis on connectivity and civic facilities could also support the development of new commercial and residential centres.
For Jharkhand, the broader objective is to ensure that urban growth takes place in a planned manner and keeps pace with changing economic and demographic needs.
Senior Officials Review Urban Development Plans
The high-level meeting was attended by senior officials from several departments, reflecting the multi-departmental nature of the proposed urban development exercise.
Those present included Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Sunil Kumar, Finance Secretary Prashant Kumar, Industries Secretary Arva Rajkamal and Revenue Secretary Chandrashekhar.
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantari, Smart City CEO Suraj Kumar, JIADA Managing Director Varun Ranjan and Smart City General Manager Rakesh Kumar Nandkuliar also attended the meeting.
The directions signal a wider push towards planned urbanisation in Jharkhand, with Ranchi Smart City serving as a reference point for developing future urban centres across the state.
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