Satellite Townships needed for De-congestion of Major cities
The need for more satellite townships is felt to be a pressing need considering that all major cities in India are facing an unprecedented population explosion. Due to the consistent growth in urban population with every passing day, the need of the hour was to focus on de-centralised growth of cities. Development of satellite townships can be considered an ideal mechanism to decongest the population in major cities as also to facilitate the development in surrounding areas as well by making them self-sufficient. Hyderabad also has the potential for development of satellite townships considering the large area of the city as also the existing infrastructure and connectivity across the city being excellent.
Significance of development of satellite townships:
At a conference on Urban Infrastructure hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Credai, similar views were expressed with regards to the significance of more satellite townships being formed. It was generally felt that formation of satellite townships would not only decongest major cities but also encourage the culture of “walk to work”, besides resulting in infrastructure development and better connectivity to the city. The basic objective behind the development of satellite townships is to provide similar infrastructural facilities matching the main city so that cross-commuting by people residing in satellite townships does not happen for the access of such facilities and other social amenities like access to schools, colleges, hospitals, shopping centers, theatres etc. In comparison with a global average of 50%, the average urban population in India is about 32%. As projected by analysts, this figure for the urban Indian population is likely to go up with the addition of more satellite townships, going by the trend with regards to satellite townships that were formed in the past.
Emphasis on Infrastructure and Connectivity:
Taking into account the population density that exists in all major Indian cities, it is imperative that satellite townships should have good connectivity with the mother city as also with surrounding areas and towns in the vicinity. This will enable hassle-free movement of people and goods to and from different areas. The potential that the formation of satellite townships presents is immense. However, for this to happen, large investments are required for strengthening urban infrastructure, for various purposes that include setting up of pipelines from major sources for water coverage, urban roads development, constructing of storm water drains, as well as solid waste management. Besides these, a major challenge that the city administration could face is with regards to traffic management, considering the increasing traffic volumes that major cities across India face.
Impact on Real Estate market:
Commenting on the importance of development of satellite townships in all major cities in India, the National President of Credai suggested that alongside the development of urban infrastructure, it was also necessary to focus on the development of satellite townships in strategic areas in the fringes of major cities. This will facilitate the expansion of the main city along with the overall development across the city. With reference to Hyderabad, it was suggested that many major residential projects were coming up along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) as well as along the Inner Ring Road (IRR). Similarly, there was immense potential for the development of such projects along the Regional Ring Road (RRR) as well. The RRR spans 229 km of roads, linking many towns around Hyderabad, where the growth potential is unlimited and needs to be tapped. To attract residential projects in these towns, it is essential that the infrastructure across these towns is initially development, than waiting for it to happen the other way round.
