Gaya: All construction activities and land transactions have been banned in select parts of Gaya district as the state government moves ahead with an ambitious satellite township development plan and a long-pending master plan to guide future urban growth.
Scope of the Ban
The restrictions, aimed at curbing haphazard development in identified planning zones, will remain in force till March 31, 2027, according to an official notification. As per the government order, construction activity and land transactions have been prohibited in two wards of the Gaya Municipal Corporation (GMC) — ward numbers 29 and 46 — and 20 wards of the Bodh Gaya Nagar Parishad. Ward number 29 is located on the western outskirts of Gaya town, while ward number 46 falls in the southern part of the city.
Officials said Bodh Gaya Nagar Parishad has been more severely impacted by the decision, with restrictions now applicable in 20 of its 33 wards. The ban is aimed at preventing haphazard development in areas identified for inclusion under the proposed master plan and satellite township framework, which seeks to regulate planned urban expansion.
Impact on Ongoing Projects
Authorities are yet to assess the impact of the ban on major ongoing projects such as the Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bodh Gaya. They said the upcoming master plan would need to be aligned with existing corridor development proposals. More clarity on this issue is expected in the coming days.
Affected Revenue Villages
Apart from municipal areas, the ban also affects 80 revenue villages spread across three community development blocks — Gaya Town, Bodh Gaya and Paraiyya. Bodh Gaya block has emerged as the most affected, with restrictions imposed in 55 revenue villages. In Gaya Town block, construction and land transactions have been halted in 19 revenue villages, while Paraiyya block has the least impact, with only six villages covered under the ban.
Within the GMC area, Magadh Colony and Shastri Nagar have also been brought under the purview of the restriction. Among the affected villages in Gaya Town block is Hario village, which holds strategic importance due to the ongoing land acquisition for the expansion of Gaya airport's runway.
Airport Expansion Context
Airport officials explained that the existing runway, which is 2,285 metres long and 45 metres wide, cannot currently accommodate wide-body aircraft. To make the airport suitable for such operations, the runway requires an extension of at least 500 metres in length and an additional 15 metres in width.
Historical Background
According to local experts, Gaya's previous master plan dates back to the 1960s. Lalji Prasad, a former member of the standing committee of the GMC, said the validity of that plan expired over two decades ago, and since then the city has been without an approved master plan, underlining the need for the present exercise.
