Uttar Pradesh is set to deploy digital planning tools and GIS-based master plans in 93 Tier-II towns across 49 districts as part of a major urban development push to manage the rapid growth of smaller cities.
The state government will prepare Geographic Information System (GIS)-based master plans to support improved land-use and infrastructure planning, as well as long-term urban management.
The initiative falls under the Centre’s AMRUT 2.0 framework and is expected to create a more structured roadmap for emerging urban centres.
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GIS Mapping to Guide Urban Expansion
The proposed plans will rely on digital mapping technology to create detailed spatial records of roads, transport corridors, public utilities, water bodies, residential zones and commercial areas. By bringing this information onto a single platform, authorities aim to gain a clearer picture of how towns are growing and where future investments are needed.
Officials believe the GIS-based approach will help local administrations identify infrastructure gaps, improve coordination between departments and support more informed decision-making. The digital maps will also be accessible through urban geo-portals, allowing planners to monitor development in real time.
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Long-Term Blueprint for Tier-II Cities
The master plans will serve as development blueprints for towns with populations ranging from 50,000 to 99,999.
They will define land allocation for housing, industry, commercial activity, public institutions, transport networks and green spaces. The goal is to reduce unplanned growth while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with rising demand.
Urban planners advocate for the use of geospatial technologies to address challenges such as traffic congestion, uneven infrastructure distribution and inefficient land utilisation.
The recent initiative reflects a broader shift towards data-driven urban governance as states increasingly adopt digital planning tools to support sustainable growth.
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Part of a Wider Digital Urban Planning Strategy
The move builds on Uttar Pradesh’s ongoing efforts to modernise city planning through GIS-enabled systems. With urbanisation spreading beyond major cities, the government is looking to equip smaller towns with planning frameworks to support future investments, infrastructure upgrades and more balanced regional development.
As geospatial technology becomes central to urban governance, projects of this scale are likely to create fresh opportunities for GIS, digital mapping and smart infrastructure providers. The rollout also signals growing government confidence in location intelligence as a tool for shaping the next phase of urban growth in India.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
