Assam Government Unveils Innovative City Action Plans for Urban Development

The Assam Government, in collaboration with Janaagraha, has launched eight City Action Plans under the 'Doh Shaher Ek Rupayan' program. This initiative aims to promote participatory urban governance and sustainable city development across ten cities facing rapid urbanization. Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah highlighted the importance of integrated planning and funding to address urban challenges effectively. The plans also focus on preserving urban water bodies, with over 2000 identified for conservation. This innovative approach to urban planning is expected to serve as a model for other regions in India, particularly for smaller cities and towns.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 2, 2025, 11:03 IST

Introduction to City Action Plans

Guwahati, Dec 2: In a collaborative effort with Janaagraha, the Assam Government has introduced eight City Action Plans (CAPs) aimed at fostering participatory urban governance through the 'Doh Shaher Ek Rupayan' initiative.

Launch Event and Objectives

The plans were officially launched by Jayanta Mallabaruah, the Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, alongside city leaders, government representatives, partner organizations, and civil society members.

These City Action Plans are designed to serve as strategic frameworks for the sustainable development of urban areas. They are part of a broader initiative targeting ten cities to tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in regions such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, North Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Tezpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Dhubri, and Silchar.

Minister's Vision for Urban Development

Minister Mallabaruah emphasized that the 'Doh Shaher Ek Rupayan' program aims to steer each city towards organized and systematic growth.

"These City Action Plans signify the start of a process to pinpoint the unique needs of each city, which will eventually extend to all 104 urban local bodies in Assam. The launch of these plans represents a significant reform for the Housing and Urban Affairs Department," he stated.

Funding and Integrated Planning

"Should cities adhere to these plans, we will allocate additional funding. Often, various departments operate independently, leading to redundancies and ineffective fund utilization. Hence, integrated planning is crucial. Janaagraha has been instrumental in supporting our department throughout this initiative. I am optimistic that each city in Assam will develop in a structured manner, transforming into well-managed urban centers. The next decade will be pivotal for urbanization," he added.

Focus on Water Bodies Conservation

The Minister also highlighted the importance of safeguarding urban water bodies, noting that over 2000 such bodies have been identified. The Assam Urban Water Bodies Act has been enacted to protect and manage these essential resources, ensuring their conservation for future generations.

Innovative Urban Planning Model

Kavitha Padmanabhan, Commissioner & Secretary of the Assam Government's Department of Housing & Urban Affairs, remarked, "For the first time in India, a genuinely city-centric urban planning model has been implemented. This process involved extensive citizen engagement, including consultations with self-help groups, ward meetings led by commissioners, and discussions with various departmental stakeholders."

Potential for National Model

Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Janaagraha, stated, "This approach and program design is truly unique in the country. We believe that the 'Doh Shaher Ek Rupayan' initiative and the City Action Plans can serve as a model for other regions in India, especially for mid-sized and smaller cities and towns."