Guwahati: The Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA) has expressed strong support for the state govt’s move to set up the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA) to plan, finance and develop satellite cities in and around Guwahati.AREIDA president PK Sharma on Monday said building a planned satellite city near the Guwahati airport is vital to relieving pressure on the main city. He added that such a move is necessary to decongest the main city and accommodate future population growth. “With the population of the Guwahati Metropolitan Area projected to reach 40 lakh within the Master Plan period, scientific and sustainable urban development has become imperative,” he said.Sharma said urbanisation is set to play a defining role in India’s economic growth, with projections indicating that nearly 75% of the country’s GDP will be generated from urban areas by 2030. In this context, he added that planned satellite cities, supported by robust core and support infrastructure, are essential to ensure orderly growth, improved quality of life, and enhanced economic opportunities.He said the Assam Town Planning Scheme (TPS) and Land Pooling Schemes, already notified by the Government of Assam, are landmark initiatives aimed at replacing forceful land acquisition with a more equitable system of land pooling and land reconstitution.Sharma pointed out that similar models have been implemented successfully in several other states. The association believes that Assam, too, can greatly benefit from adopting and adapting these proven models.Sharma urged the authorities to involve stakeholders such as AREIDA at the planning stage itself. “The real estate and infrastructure sector will ultimately be responsible for executing these projects on the ground. Therefore, meaningful consultation with industry stakeholders during the planning process is essential for the success of such ambitious initiatives,” he said.
