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Industry leaders have urged the West Bengal government to implement incentive-based policies for suburbanisation and urban redevelopment, pointing to effective measures in states like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka. Proposals include higher FSI, slum rehabilitation, affordable housing incentives, and senior citizen-focused developments. Kolkata's mayor highlighted the city's high population density and the need for eco-friendly road expansion, improved flyover connectivity, and better drainage and waste management. Both business and government representatives stressed collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable urban growth and infrastructure development that benefits residents and supports economic activity.
Industry experts have called on the West Bengal government to introduce incentive-driven policies to encourage suburbanisation and urban redevelopment. They cited successful models from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka, which have helped reduce congestion and promote planned urban growth. Advertisement
At a session held by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) on Wednesday evening, Emami Realty MD & CEO Nitesh Kumar highlighted that several states had implemented incentive-led frameworks. These included higher floor space index (FSI), redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings, slum rehabilitation initiatives, and incentives for affordable housing, all aimed at promoting more balanced development.
Kumar also suggested that the state consider offering land to developers at reasonable rates to support senior citizen housing with community and medical facilities. He further recommended exploring residential projects linked to religious or pilgrimage sites.
MCCI president Priti A Sureka emphasised the need for collaboration between business and government to create modern infrastructure that not only stimulates economic activity but also enhances residents' quality of life. She noted that suburban expansion required a measured approach to ensure sustainable development.
Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim responded by saying that the government?s priority remained social inclusion and the upliftment of marginalised communities. He pointed out that Kolkata, with over 300 years of history, had experienced unplanned growth and now has a population density of roughly 30,000 people per square kilometre.
Hakim added that the government was focusing on eco-friendly road development using concrete and paver blocks to reduce pollution and manage waterlogging. He noted that only 6 per cent of the city's land is currently covered by roads, prompting efforts to expand flyover connectivity and improve existing road infrastructure.
On drainage and solid waste management, Hakim mentioned long-term plans, including enhancing the hydraulic capacity of 27 canals, dredging outfall channels, and periodic desiltation of major waterways such as Tolly's nullah.
Source PTI
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