Role and Functions of UDD&UHD Gujarat

The Urban Development & Urban Housing Department serves as the nodal agency for all urban governance, planning, and development activities in Gujarat. Its key responsibilities and functions include:

• Urban Planning & Development: Formulating and implementing Development Plans (DPs) and Town Planning Schemes (TPS) for systematic urban growth, land use, and infrastructure development.
• Housing Development: Designing and executing affordable housing schemes for various income groups (EWS, LIG, MIG) under state and central government initiatives (e.g., PMAY-U, MMGY).
• Infrastructure Provision: Overseeing the development and maintenance of essential urban infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage systems, storm water drainage, urban roads, public transport, and street lighting.
• Policy Formulation: Drafting and updating policies and legal frameworks related to urban planning, building regulations, slum rehabilitation, and urban local body (ULB) administration.
• Financial Assistance: Channeling funds and grants from state and central governments to Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations and Municipalities) for various urban development projects.
• Capacity Building: Strengthening the institutional capacity of ULBs and urban development authorities.
• e-Governance Initiatives: Promoting digital service delivery and citizen-centric e-governance solutions (like e-Nagar portal) across ULBs.
• Slum Redevelopment & Improvement: Implementing programs for slum rehabilitation, provision of basic services in slums, and improving living conditions for the urban poor.
• Waste Management: Supporting initiatives for solid waste management, including collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.
• Fire Safety: Formulating and enforcing fire safety norms and standards in urban buildings and establishments.

The department works closely with Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Urban Development Authorities (like AUDA, GUDA, SUDA, RUDA, VUDA), and other agencies to achieve its objectives.

Major Urban Development Schemes & Initiatives

UDD&UHD Gujarat is instrumental in implementing various flagship schemes, both state-specific and centrally sponsored:

• Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana (SJMMSVY): A comprehensive state-level scheme providing financial assistance to ULBs for infrastructure development, including water supply, sewerage, drainage, roads, and public facilities. It aims to improve the "Ease of Living" in all cities.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U): A flagship central government scheme implemented by UDD&UHD in Gujarat to provide affordable housing for all eligible urban poor, including slum dwellers. It covers various verticals like In-situ Slum Redevelopment, Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), and Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC).
• Smart Cities Mission: Gujarat has several cities selected under this mission (Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar), and UDD&UHD oversees the implementation of Smart City Projects aimed at improving infrastructure, services, and quality of life through technology and innovation.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): A central scheme focused on improving urban infrastructure in selected cities, specifically in water supply, sewerage, stormwater drainage, urban transport, and green spaces.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): Driving initiatives for improved sanitation, solid waste management, and making urban areas Open Defecation Free (ODF).
• Chief Minister's Urban Bus Service (CMUBS): Promoting sustainable public transport by supporting the addition of buses, including electric buses, and developing associated infrastructure in major cities.
• Town Planning Schemes (TPS): A unique and successful mechanism in Gujarat for planned urban development, where land is pooled, developed, and redistributed, often incorporating public amenities and affordable housing components.
• Gujarat Affordable Housing Policy: State-specific policies aimed at encouraging private sector participation in affordable housing projects and ensuring land availability.

These schemes aim for inclusive, sustainable, and smart urban growth.

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Citizen Services

The UDD&UHD supervises and supports the **Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)** in Gujarat, which are the primary service providers to citizens. These include:

• 8 Municipal Corporations: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh.
• Over 160 Municipalities (Nagar Palikas).
• Various **Urban Development Authorities** (e.g., AUDA for Ahmedabad, SUDA for Surat).

Key Citizen Services Accessible via ULBs/Portals:

Many services governed by UDD&UHD are delivered directly by ULBs, often through online portals:

• e-Nagar Portal (enagar.gujarat.gov.in): This is a centralized online platform for various citizen-centric services offered by ULBs across Gujarat. It covers a wide range of services including:
  • Property Tax Payment
  • Water & Drainage Bill Payment
  • Building Permission & Building Use (BU) Certificate Applications
  • Shop & Establishment License Applications
  • Professional Tax Payment
  • Birth and Death Certificates
  • Complaint & Grievance Registration
  • Hall Booking and other civic services.
• Property Tax & Water/Sewerage Bills: Citizens can pay these essential taxes and bills online through their respective Municipal Corporation/Municipality websites or the e-Nagar portal.
• Housing Scheme Applications: Information and application processes for affordable housing schemes (like PMAY-U) are managed through dedicated portals or the websites of the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) and urban development authorities.
• Development Permissions: Applications for construction permits, land development, and zonal clearances are processed by ULBs and Development Authorities, increasingly through online systems.

The e-Nagar project is a significant step towards transparent and efficient urban governance.

Affordable Housing Initiatives in Gujarat

Providing housing for all is a major focus. The UDD&UHD, through the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) and other agencies, implements schemes like:

• Mukhyamantri Gruh Yojana (MMGY): State-specific affordable housing schemes.
• Sardar Patel Awas Yojana (SPAY): Providing financial assistance for house construction, particularly for EWS and LIG categories in both urban and rural areas.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encouraging private developers to build affordable housing units with government support and incentives.
• Land Pooling and Readjustment (Town Planning Schemes): A significant portion of land is often reserved for affordable housing under TPS, ensuring land availability in planned areas.

These initiatives aim to address the housing needs of diverse segments of the urban population.

Official Resources and Contact Information

For official information, schemes, and services related to urban development and housing in Gujarat, refer to these government portals:

• Urban Development & Urban Housing Department (UDD&UHD), Gujarat:
  • Official Website: udd.gujarat.gov.in (often linked via CM Office Gujarat portal)
  • Contact Details: Check the "Contact Us" or "Officers" section on the official website for specific department contacts. (Example contact email: us-ud@gujarat.gov.in)
• e-Nagar Portal Gujarat: enagar.gujarat.gov.in (For accessing various citizen services of ULBs)
• Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM): gudm.gujarat.gov.in (Plays a key role in urban infrastructure projects)
• Gujarat Housing Board (GHB): ghb.gujarat.gov.in (For state-level housing schemes)
• CM Office Gujarat (News & Updates): cmogujarat.gov.in (Often features latest news and announcements related to urban projects)
• MyScheme Portal (Gujarat Specific Schemes): www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/state-schemes/gujarat (Filter by "Urban Development" or "Housing" to find relevant schemes)

Always rely on official government sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.