The Allahabad High Court has expanded the scope of its suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning gaps in town planning and sought details from Uttar Pradesh authorities on whether layout plans for cities, towns and colonies provide for police stations, police chowkis, traffic booths, fire stations and medical clinics or hospitals.

A Bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla also called for a comprehensive roadmap for future town planning as it stressed that the needs of citizens in the years to come must be anticipated while planning amenities in new colonies and towns.

The Court directed the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad, Lucknow Municipal Corporation and other concerned authorities to file affidavits addressing the issues raised in the proceedings.

The suo motu PIL, titled In Re - Layout Plan/Town Planning and Provision of Necessary Amenities, was initiated to deal with the gaps in town planning, particularly the failure to earmark space for garbage dumping/collection and to install transformers while preparing layout plans for cities, towns, and colonies.

During the proceedings, the counsel for the Nagar Nigam had pointed out a broader problem with how layout plans are prepared.

He submitted that, while preparing layout plans, development authorities do not allocate space for garbage dumping/collection. Consequently, when the colonies are subsequently developed, the lack of designated space creates problems.

Counsel further submitted that no provision is made for installing transformers either. As a result, transformers are subsequently installed on roadsides, creating "a hindrance in movement and other inconvenience".

Taking note of the issue, the High Court had observed that it required consideration as it concerned town planning and the provision of necessary amenities, which affected the "healthy, hygienic and safe living" of residents in colonies developed by authorities, including the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad.

The Court had specified that the reference in the suo motu PIL would be the "necessary amenities / spaces to be provided while preparing a layout plan for a city or town or a colony within the city or town" and matters concerning town planning.

It had also said that the planning authorities must keep in mind the "changing needs of time" and remain abreast of such needs by "anticipating the future needs also".

Now, last week, the Bench recorded the submission of counsel appearing for the LDA and Awas Evam Vikas Parishad that the new Building By-laws, which came into force in 2025, contain provisions for spaces for dumping garbage, installation of transformers and other similar public amenities or facilities.

However, the counsel stated that he was not certain whether there was a specific provision for providing space for the installation of transformers and that he would have to check.

The Court directed the LDA and Awas Evam Vikas Parishad to file affidavits in this regard. It also asked the concerned authorities to provide suggestions on the provision of space for transformer installations and place any applicable rules on record.

The Bench further sought to know whether other institutions or agencies, such as the Electricity Corporation or Department, are consulted at the stage of preparation of layout plans.

It observed that such consultation could help identify spaces where transformers could be installed, as far as possible.

The affidavits must disclose the departments, corporations and public undertakings that are consulted and the agencies with which interactions take place during the preparation of layout plans.

The Court also asked 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 the past experience".

If such provisions are not made, the authorities have been asked to disclose their proposals in this regard.

Apart from that, the State authorities have also been directed to disclose whether the Building By-laws and layout plans contain provisions for fire stations and medical clinics or hospitals.

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation has also been asked to file an affidavit suggesting the amenities that need to be provided in such layout plans.

Stressing the need for long-term planning, the Bench stated thus:

"A comprehensive road map for future town planning should be prepared anticipating the needs of the citizens in the times to come regarding amenities to be provided in new colonies, towns etc".

The Court also raised the question of whether any changes were required in the existing rules or guidelines to address these requirements.

The affidavits are to be filed within 4 weeks.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 7. The Court also appointed advocate Rakesh Devi Prasad Kumar as amicus curiae to assist it in the suo motu proceedings.