UDH notification sparks fear over commercialisation of residential areas in Jaipur

Jaipur: The Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department’s recent decision to allow a wide range of commercial activities in residential zones has triggered concern among planners and officials, who warn that the move could transform the character of residential colonies, worsen congestion and strain civic infrastructure.Under a notification issued on May 14, most commercial constructions have been permitted in residential areas, with only a limited set of land uses remaining restricted. Education and health facilities, community centres, industries and plantations are barred in residential zones. However, even these restrictions have been relaxed for areas covered under the Chief Minister’s Jan Awas Yojana and affordable housing schemes.Urban planning experts say the change could pave the way for high-footfall developments within colonies originally designed for low-density residential use. Residents could potentially see hotels, shopping complexes and other commercial establishments emerge within neighbourhood lanes.“This creates a broad gateway for mixed and high-footfall development inside lanes and colonies that lack the road width, parking capacity, and civic infrastructure to absorb it,” a senior UDH official said.Planners argue that the most immediate impact will be on traffic and daily liveability. Commercial establishments are expected to attract visitors, delivery vehicles and service traffic, increasing pressure on internal roads and parking spaces. Concerns have also been raised over rising noise levels, air pollution, emergency access and the long-term burden on water supply, sewerage and solid waste management systems.The notification has also drawn legal objections. A senior UDH official termed the move inconsistent with a Rajasthan High Court order issued on Jan 12, 2017, following a public interest litigation filed in 2004. Among the court’s 31 directions was a requirement that Master Plans and land-use zoning should not be altered unless the change demonstrably serves a greater public purpose.“These blanket permissions undermine the purpose of the land-use matrix embedded in Master Plans, effectively allowing construction of almost any structure across urban settlements without the usual zoning discipline,” another UDH official said.Officials critical of the policy describe it as excessive deregulation. They point out that while planning powers have already been expanded within urban local bodies, many municipalities lack the technical capacity to assess proposals and enforce safeguards. “The central govt’s deregulation policy is intended to simplify procedures for residents, not dilute planning controls that protect neighbourhoods,” an official said.