The Allahabad High Court has significantly broadened the ambit of a suo motu public interest litigation concerning deficiencies in town planning across Uttar Pradesh. A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla has directed key development authorities to file affidavits detailing the provision of essential civic infrastructure, including police stations, fire stations and medical facilities, within layout plans for cities, towns and colonies.
The proceedings, registered as In Re - Layout Plan/Town Planning and Provision of Necessary Amenities, were initiated to address systemic gaps in the preparation of layout plans. The court had earlier identified the failure to earmark space for garbage collection and the installation of transformers as critical omissions affecting the healthy, hygienic and safe living conditions of residents in colonies developed by authorities such as the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad.
What specific civic amenities has the Allahabad High Court asked authorities to provide for in layout plans?
The court has directed authorities to disclose whether layout plans provide for police stations, police chowkis, traffic booths, fire stations and medical clinics or hospitals, in addition to the previously identified requirements for garbage dumping spaces and transformer installations.
During the recent hearing, counsel for the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and Awas Evam Vikas Parishad informed the Bench that the new Building By-laws, which came into force in 2025, contain provisions for garbage dumping spaces and other public amenities. However, counsel expressed uncertainty regarding a specific provision for transformer installations and sought time to verify the position. The court directed both authorities to file affidavits clarifying this aspect and to provide suggestions for allocating space for transformers, along with any applicable rules.
The Bench further observed that planning authorities must anticipate the changing needs of time and future requirements while preparing layout plans. It sought to know whether agencies such as the Electricity Corporation or Department are consulted during the planning stage, noting that such consultation could help identify suitable locations for transformer installations. Authorities have been asked to disclose the departments, corporations and public undertakings consulted during the preparation of layout plans.
Previous Scope of PIL | Expanded Scope (Current Direction) |
|---|---|
Garbage dumping/collection spaces | Police stations, police chowkis, traffic booths |
Transformer installation spaces | Fire stations |
General town planning gaps | Medical clinics or hospitals |
Comprehensive roadmap for future town planning |
The court has also directed the authorities to disclose whether layout plans provide for the establishment of police stations, police chowkis, police booths and traffic booths, keeping in view the needs of the times and past experience. If such provisions are absent, the authorities must submit their proposals for incorporating them. Additionally, the State authorities have been asked to specify whether the Building By-laws and layout plans contain provisions for fire stations and medical clinics or hospitals.
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation has been directed to file an affidavit suggesting the amenities that need to be incorporated in layout plans. The Bench stressed that a comprehensive roadmap for future town planning is essential to ensure that the needs of citizens in the years to come are anticipated and met. The matter remains pending for compliance with these directions.
The directions were issued to the Lucknow Development Authority, Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad, Lucknow Municipal Corporation and other concerned authorities. The court's intervention underscores the judiciary's emphasis on proactive urban governance and the integration of essential safety and health infrastructure into the foundational planning stages of urban development.