📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Imanushkasingh
Agriculture
Farmers, Traders Protest Bhopal Master Plan‑2047 Draft Over Land and Pond Catchment
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bhopal
🗓 23 Oct 2026, 06:15 PM
👁 8
Farmers and traders have lodged formal objections to the draft Bhopal Master Plan‑2047, citing concerns over the inclusion of agricultural land from 66 villages, the catchment area of a large pond, and proposed changes to construction regulations.
Farmers and local traders filed objections at the Town and Country Planning (TNCP) office in Bhopal against the draft of the Bhopal Master Plan‑2047. The plan, intended to guide the city’s development up to 2047, has drawn criticism from the agrarian community.
The petitioners argue that the draft earmarks agricultural land belonging to 66 villages for non‑agricultural uses. They also point to the proposed inclusion of the catchment area of a large pond within the development zone, which they say could jeopardise water resources and farming livelihoods. In addition, the draft’s revised construction norms are viewed as favouring commercial interests at the expense of traditional landholders.
The groups warned that the plan, if implemented without amendment, could lead to displacement of farmers and loss of productive farmland. They have called for a revision of the draft to protect agricultural zones and to reconsider the pond catchment’s status.
The TNCP has not yet issued a formal response, but the objections are expected to be examined before any final approval of the master plan.
The petitioners argue that the draft earmarks agricultural land belonging to 66 villages for non‑agricultural uses. They also point to the proposed inclusion of the catchment area of a large pond within the development zone, which they say could jeopardise water resources and farming livelihoods. In addition, the draft’s revised construction norms are viewed as favouring commercial interests at the expense of traditional landholders.
The groups warned that the plan, if implemented without amendment, could lead to displacement of farmers and loss of productive farmland. They have called for a revision of the draft to protect agricultural zones and to reconsider the pond catchment’s status.
The TNCP has not yet issued a formal response, but the objections are expected to be examined before any final approval of the master plan.