Madikeri: The govt has initiated steps to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the Somwarpet planning area and invited public suggestions under Section 10(1) of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961. Written suggestions may be submitted by Nov 19, Somwarpet Planning Authority president KA Adam said.
He said the master plan would facilitate development by documenting details of residential, commercial and other properties. Processes including layout approval, land conversion and map approval were now being expedited, Adam said. He said the authority’s limited jurisdiction made resource mobilisation difficult.
Presiding over a meeting at the authority’s hall in the town panchayat complex, Adam urged the public to cooperate with the initiative. Development within the authority’s jurisdiction had been hindered by the absence of such a plan. After MLA Manthar Gowda brought the issue to govt’s attention, arrangements were made for residents across the taluk to complete relevant work directly through the authority’s office. As staff salaries must be paid from locally generated revenue, its income sources urgently needed to be expanded.