Ranchi Smart City Project Accelerates After Decade-Long Land Mutation Resolution
After a decade of conceptualization and procedural delays, the Ranchi Smart City project is finally gaining significant momentum. The long-standing land mutation issue, which had hindered progress for years, is now nearly resolved, paving the way for accelerated development on the 656-acre greenfield site.
Historical Land Acquisition and Mutation Challenges
The land for the Ranchi Smart City project was originally acquired from the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), which had received it from the then Bihar government approximately seven decades ago. However, the HEC failed to complete the necessary mutation formalities when it initially obtained the land, creating a major procedural bottleneck.
Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Sunil Kumar, confirmed the breakthrough: "Mutation has been completed for around 450 acres, while that for the rest is under way. Plots have been allotted and building plans approved for two major sub-projects in the Ranchi Smart City area."
Project Development and Current Progress
Conceived in 2016 with work commencing in 2017, the project faced years of stagnation despite infrastructure work progressing on the ground due to these mutation hurdles. Now, with the issue largely resolved, development is moving forward rapidly.
Key developments include:
- 13 out of 60 demarcated plots have been auctioned across four phases
- Remaining plots will be auctioned phase-wise for residential, public, semi-public, mixed-use, and institutional purposes
- Space has been allocated to GAIL for establishing a CNG station
- Apollo Hospitals has secured space for a super-speciality hospital
- Building plans for a medical college, hospital, and residential project have received approval
Infrastructure and Sustainability Features
The integrated infrastructure development is already complete, featuring comprehensive road networks, drainage systems, and water supply networks. The Smart City is designed with cutting-edge sustainability features:
- Complete absence of overhead wiring throughout the development
- 24x7 water and electricity supply for all residents
- Zero-discharge sewage treatment system enabling wastewater recycling for non-potable uses
- Dual water connections for each plot – one for potable water and another for recycled water
- Mandatory adherence to green building norms for all structures
Future Expansion and Regional Impact
The project is expected to accommodate approximately 15,000 dwelling units, catering to diverse economic segments from economically weaker sections to ultra high-income groups. Developers must complete construction and obtain occupancy certificates within five years of plot allocation.
Looking ahead, the state government has requested an additional 500 acres from HEC for Smart City Phase 2 development. Furthermore, similar smart city models are being considered for implementation in other districts including Khunti, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Deoghar, and Dumka, potentially transforming urban development across the region.
