Advancing India’s mission to create scientifically planned and self-reliant Gram Panchayats, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Vivek Bharadwaj today inaugurated the pioneering two-day National Workshop on Enhanced Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan themed “नवीनग्राम – Re-Imagining the Village” at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This landmark initiative brings together 19 partner institutes of planning and architecture presenting enhanced spatial plans prepared for 36 Gram Panchayats across 14 States, marking the largest collaborative effort in India’s rural spatial development history.

“Spatial development plans must be realistic, sustainable, and aimed at empowering Gram Panchayats to become self-reliant,” emphasized Shri Vivek Bharadwaj while delivering the keynote address. “We must include strategies to enhance the Panchayats’ own revenue generation within these plans, ensuring that village development becomes a model of self-sufficiency and innovation.”

Building upon the successful Cross Learning-cum-Interactive National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan (ग्राम पंचायत स्थानिक विकास योजना) held on 22-23 February 2024 at Bhopal presided over by Secretary, MoPR Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, this workshop represents a significant step forward where spatial development plans for 36 Gram Panchayats across 14 States are being presented by 19 planning institutes, creating a valuable knowledge repository for Panchayati Raj transformation. The initiative reflects the evolution from traditional village development approaches to scientifically designed spatial planning methodologies that integrate modern planning principles with Panchayati Raj governance structures.

The workshop witnessed participation from Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions from Spatial Planning Gram Panchayats, Officers from Departments of Panchayati Raj across various States, faculty and students from planning and architecture institutes, Town and Country Planning Department officials, and government agencies. This diverse assembly of participants represents a comprehensive gathering of Panchayati Raj stakeholders focused on spatial planning.

The initiative seeks to encourage the use of Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines and garner support from stakeholders, including community members, financiers, policy planners, and technology providers, for the transformation of rural landscapes. The workshop emphasizes the critical importance of Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) generation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships in creating financially sustainable Gram Panchayats that can effectively implement their spatial development plans.

Drawing inspiration from the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Gram Panchayats, this initiative transforms traditional village development paradigms by introducing scientific spatial planning as the foundation for sustainable rural growth. Union Panchayati Raj Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwaj urged Gram Pradhans to work towards village development that recognizes their contributions rather than positions, emphasizing coordinated actions among stakeholders for effective implementation.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Alok Prem Nagar delivered comprehensive insights on Spatial Planning for Rural Areas and the Way Forward, highlighting the Ministry’s strategic interventions and innovative approaches. His presentation highlighted the critical importance of spatial planning in creating self-reliant rural communities.

Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh Ms. Dipali Rastogi informed that Bilkisganj and Murvas Gram Panchayats in Madhya Pradesh are progressing well with their comprehensive spatial planning implementation. Five additional Gram Panchayats in the State will adopt similar approaches, with the Panchayati Raj Department providing complete support for this initiative.

Prof. Ajay Khare, Founder Director, School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, welcomed participants and outlined the current status and roadmap of the spatial planning process, reinforcing the academic foundation supporting this ambitious national initiative.

The inaugural day featured presentations of spatial development plans from seven States including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Karnataka, demonstrating the nationwide momentum and diverse implementation approaches across different geographical contexts.

Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan – NAVEENGRAM – Re-Imagining the Village – establishes India as a global leader in rural spatial development planning, creating replicable models that ensure planned development reaches every corner of rural India while preserving heritage and promoting inclusive growth. This initiative transforms villages from administrative units into carefully planned communities optimizing land use, infrastructure development, and sustainable resource management, setting new benchmarks for rural governance and development worldwide.

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PP/AU

(Release ID: 2145572)