Aditya Bhattacharya | Urban Planning Thesis Report | CEPT University by Aditya Bhattacharya

INFLUENCE OF PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN KOLKATA’S PERIURBAN AREAS: A CASE OF MAHISHBATHAN GRAM PANCHAYAT

ADITYA BHATTACHARYA

DR. ANURIMA MUKHERJEE BASU

ROLL NO. PP0000216

GUIDE

DISSERTATION 2018 FACULTY OF PLANNING CEPT UNIVERSITY AHMEDABAD - 380 009

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Undertaking

I, Aditya Bhattacharya, the author of the Dissertation titled “ Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas : A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat”, hereby declare that this is an independent work of mine, carried out towards partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Urban and Regional Planning Degree at Faculty of Planning, CEPT University, Ahmedabad. This work has not been submitted to any other institution for the award of any Degree/Diploma.

Name of student

: Aditya Bhattacharya

Roll №:

: PP0000216

Date

: 04 May 2018

Place

: CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India

iii

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Certificate This is to certify that the dissertation titled “Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat” has been submitted by Mr. Aditya Bhattacharya, towards partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Urban and Regional Planning Degree. This is a bona-fide work of the student and has not been submitted to any other university for award of any Degree/Diploma.

Prof. H. M. Shivanand Swamy

Dr. Anurima Mukherjee Basu

Chairman/Chairperson

Guide

Dissertation Committee Date: 04 May 2018

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Acknowledgements One page of acknowledgement is never enough to substitute the deep gratitude that I have for all the people behind my work.

The completion of this study would not have been possible without the expertise of my guide, Dr. Anurima Mukherjee Basu, for her valuable guidance, which has been the source of my knowledge throughout this thesis period.

I would also take this opportunity to thank my panel members in the preceding reviews, Prof. Ravi S. Sannabhadti and Prof. Rutool Sharma, for their valuable inputs for this thesis. In addition, I would also like to thank all the other faculty members at CEPT University, whose guidance has been of immense helpful.

I would also like to extend my acknowledgements to the ward councillors of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Gram Panchayat Pradhan and the officials at the Irrigation Department in Kolkata, for their support, during the achieved field work. Also, I am very grateful to the residents whom I interviewed during the course of this thesis, for taking out their valuable time for the interviews and the discussions.

I would also like to thank my batch-mates and other friends at CEPT University, with whom I worked and learned new thing and shared ideas which were useful in my thesis. Their presence made learning fun and enjoyable.

Lastly, I want to thank my family for their support and patience. They have been a very big influence for my thesis.

Aditya Bhattacharya Master of Urban and Regional Planning CEPT University Ahmedabad, India vii

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

viii

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

List of Acronyms BMC

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation

KMA

Kolkata Metropolitan Area

KMC

Kolkata Municipal Corporation

KMDA

Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority

NDITA

Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority

NKDA

New Town Kolkata Development Authority

WBHIDCO

West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited

NTPA

New Town Planning Area

BRADA

Bhangor Rajarhat Area Development Authority (now defunct)

LUDCP

Land Use Development Control Plan

EPW

Economic and Political Weekly

WBDMA

West Bengal Department of Municipal Affairs

MB II GP

Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat

EKW

East Kolkata Wetlands

FGDs

Focussed group discussions

Public Transport

IPT

Intermediate Public Transport

NMT

Non-motorized Transport

SWM

Solid Waste Management

ROW

Right of Way

TMC

Trinamool Congress

CPI (M)

Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

List of Terms 

Ward: An administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councillor or councillors.



Mouza: A mouza or mauza is a type of administrative district, corresponding to a specific land area within which there may be one or more settlements. Before the 20th century, the term referred to a revenue collection unit in a pargana or revenue district.



Gram Panchayat: A gram panchayat (village council) is the only grassroots-level of panchayati raj formalised local self-governance system in India at the village or smalltown level, and has a sarpanch as its elected head.



Khaalpar: Canal-front, here the Keshtopur Khaalpar acts as a divider between the 2 wards in the study region.



Kutcha: A house with mud, thatch walls and thatch roofs, i.e., walls made of grass, leaves, reeds etc., and roof or similar materials.



Semi-pakka: The Houses which do not fail within the pucca/ kutcha category. Generally such houses will have either the wall or roof of pucca material.



Pakka: Pucca house is the one of which predominant materials of wall and roof are as follows: Wall - Burnt bricks, GI sheets or other metal sheets, stone, cement, concrete. Roofs - Tiles, slate, corrugated iron, zinc or other metal sheets or asbestos, cement sheets, burnt bricks, limestone, RBC/RCC.



Bigha: Bigha is a measure of land area varying locally from 1/3 to 1 acre (1/8 to 2/5 hectare). 1 Bigha is equal to 20 Katha.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

xii

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Abstract Kolkata’s eastern peri-urban regions, is a mix of two extremes. The extremities, on one end are inclusive of planned developments involving high-end gated community housing in regions namely Salt Lake and the newly formed New Town and office buildings with glass facades in the IT hub of the city, Sector V. Surprisingly, alongside these planned developments, there is also a co-existence of unplanned developments comprising informal settlements, representing typical rural characteristics (erstwhile Gram Panchayats) in the peri-urban setting. Therefore, as a part of this thesis, the integral study aims to assess and analyse the influence of these planned urban developments (namely Salt Lake and new townships like New Town) on the erstwhile Villages (Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat). One of the key motives behind this dissertation is to understand the juxtaposition of rural and urban characteristics in the peri-urban regions. In addition, there is a massive amount of economic interdependence between the unplanned and planned developments in this region. Therefore, the influence of the planned surroundings on the unplanned developments has been understood by predominantly focussing on the unplanned developments. This has been done quantitatively, through the growth patterns in the overall region and correlating between the spatial and demographic growth patterns. In addition, a comparative analysis has been done at different locations within the study region through certain parameters. The study concludes through the findings and by assessing certain aspects where there can be scope of future improvements. There has been rapid urbanization in India, especially in the larger metropolitan cities like Kolkata, which has caused an unexpected pressure in multiple spheres, leading to extensive spread and formation of the peripheral regions, termed as ‘Peri-urban interfaces’. The rise in migration, gradual occupational shifts from primary sector to the other sectors and increasing stress on limited resources are some of the major issues faced in the peri-urban regions in the Indian context.

Keywords: Un-planned developments | peri-urban regions | economic interdependence | growth patterns | comparative analysis.

xiii

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Contents 1

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 8 1.1

Background ..................................................................................................... 8

1.2

Aim of the thesis ........................................................................................... 10

1.3

Key objectives of the thesis ........................................................................... 10

1.4

Need for the thesis ......................................................................................... 12

1.5

Methodology ................................................................................................. 13

LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 19 2.1

Background ................................................................................................... 19

2.2

Peri-Urban Interface in the Indian context .................................................... 20

2.3

History of the study region – a socialist and political view .......................... 25

OBJECTIVE 1 – MACRO LEVEL OBJECTIVE ............................................... 28 3.1

Background ................................................................................................... 28

3.2

Historical documentation .............................................................................. 30

3.3

Brief overview – BMC and New Town – .................................................... 33

3.4

Summary of objective 1 ................................................................................ 37

OBJECTIVE 2 – GROWTH AT THE STUDY REGION ................................... 42 4.1

Demographic changes ................................................................................... 42

4.1.1

Demographic analysis in terms of population ....................................... 44

4.1.2

Demographic analysis in terms of population density ........................... 46

4.2

Spatial changes .............................................................................................. 47

Assessing the growth of the study region through spatial growth ........................ 47 4.2.1

Spatial growth at the macro-level .......................................................... 48

4.2.2

Spatial growth at the mouza level .......................................................... 50

4.3

Summary of objective 2 - Correlating between spatial and demographic

growth patterns ......................................................................................................... 62 4.3.1

Pre-2011 phase ....................................................................................... 62 1

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.3.2 5

Post-2011 phase ..................................................................................... 65

OBJECTIVE 3 – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITHIN THE STUDY REGION 67 5.1

Understanding the time frames of the settlements ........................................ 70

5.2

Understanding the occupational shifts .......................................................... 71

5.2.1

Polenite (Ward 28) ................................................................................. 71

5.2.2

Thakdari (Ward 27)................................................................................ 72

5.2.3

Mahishbathan and Nayapatti (Both in Ward 28) ................................... 73

5.2.4

Tarulia (Ward 27) .................................................................................. 74

5.2.5

Mahishgot (Ward 27) ............................................................................. 75

5.3

5.3.1

Mahishbathan (Ward 28) ....................................................................... 76

5.3.2

Nayapatti (Ward 28) .............................................................................. 78

5.3.3

Polenite (Ward 28) ................................................................................. 79

5.3.4

Tarulia (Ward 27) .................................................................................. 80

5.3.5

Mahishgot (Ward 27) ............................................................................. 81

5.3.6

Thakdari (Ward 28)................................................................................ 82

5.4

Access to infrastructure ................................................................................. 85

5.4.1

Water Supply ......................................................................................... 85

5.4.2

Garbage collection ................................................................................. 86

5.4.3

Toilets .................................................................................................... 87

5.4.4

Drainage / Waterlogging / Flooding ...................................................... 88

5.5

Understanding the diversity in terms of housing typology ........................... 76

Transport links............................................................................................... 89

5.5.1

Ward 28.................................................................................................. 89

5.5.2

Ward 27.................................................................................................. 89

CONCLUSION .................................................................................................... 92 6.1

Findings ......................................................................................................... 92

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

6.1.1

General findings ..................................................................................... 92

6.1.2

Reasons for growing urbanisation patterns in the study region ............. 93

6.1.3

Reflecting between the survey data and the spatial analysis (2001 –

present) 93 6.2

Aspects showing scope for further improvements ...................................... 100

6.2.1

Option 1 - Providing tenure to the people living here on that land...... 100

6.2.2

Option 2 – Phase wise relocation of the people encroaching the canal front

to reserved sites for EWS and LIG housing ....................................................... 101 6.2.3

Option 3 (Pre-requisite for any development) - Monitoring or enforcing

regulations at a previous stage, for peri-urban areas, to prevent unplanned developments ...................................................................................................... 102 6.3

Observed limitations ................................................................................... 103

REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 104

ANNEXURE ...................................................................................................... 106 8.1

Questionnaire for the reconnaissance household survey (done at an earlier

stage) 106 8.2

Checklist questionnaire for the key person interviews................................ 107

8.3

Checklist questions for Focussed group discussions .................................. 108

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

List of figures Figure 1.1 : Planned developments ................................................................................ 8 Figure 1.2 : Unplanned developments (Informal settlements/squatters) ....................... 9 Figure 1.3 : (Left) Entrance to the ward councillors (Prosenjit Sardar and Santosh Pramanik) office in Ward 27 and (right) Jalasampad Bhaban (Irrigation department of West Bengal) ................................................................................................................ 15 Figure 1.4 : Some of the groups of people at the study region (Thakdari and Mahishbathan) with whom focussed group discussion were conducted during FebruaryMarch ........................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 3.1 : Map showing Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) boundary along with the 4 municipal corporation boundaries - Chandannagore, Howrah, Kolkata and Bidhannagar. ................................................................................................................ 28 Figure 3.2 : Administrative boundary of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation .......... 29 Figure 3.3 : Planned developments at Salt Lake .......................................................... 33 Figure 3.4 : East Kolkata Wetlands ............................................................................. 34 Figure 3.5 : Locating the study area geographically by highlighting the unplanned developments in grey, and the planned developments in the surroundings ................. 35 Figure 3.6 : Locating the study area geographically at the mouza level...................... 36 Figure 3.7 : The study region (highlighted through yellow boundaries) & surrounding planned developments (residential and industrial townships) ..................................... 37 Figure 3.8 : Regions of the New Town Planning Area (NTPA) covered under LUDCP and Proposed land use for NTPA................................................................................. 38 Figure 3.9 : LUDCP for Rajarhat Gopalpur................................................................. 38 Figure 3.10 : Salt Lake and NDITA are properly planned townships ......................... 39 Figure 3.11 : The study region does not fall under the above highlighted regions...... 40 Figure 3.12 : Also study region is not a part of the KMC boundary – therefore excluded from it........................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 4.1 : Demographic profile – Population and number of households in BMC (2011) ........................................................................................................................... 42 Figure 4.2 : Snapshot of the demographic profile of BMC ......................................... 43 Figure 4.3 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2005 ...... 48 Figure 4.4 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2011 ...... 49 4

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.5 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2017 ...... 50 Figure 4.6 : The 3 mouzas for which spatial growth is shown at the mouza level, from left, Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite ................................................................. 51 Figure 4.7 : Polenite mouza during 2005 – typical rural characteristics in peri-urban setting ........................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 4.8 : Polenite mouza during 2011 – decrease in rural characteristics, new urbanisation patterns .................................................................................................... 52 Figure 4.9 : Polenite mouza during 2017 – rapid urbanisation throughout the mouza 53 Figure 4.10 : Massive diversity among the built form patterns in Polenite – Kachha housing along the canal-front (top L), Pakka G+2 housing (top R) in the interiors and Panache highrise (above). ............................................................................................ 54 Figure 4.11 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2005 – vacant land along the canal-front, high percentage of green cover .................................................................................... 55 Figure 4.12 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2011 – increase in settlements along the canal-front, vacant land along converted to settlements throughout the rest of the mouza ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Figure 4.13 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2017 – tremendous increase in settlements throughout Mahishbathan mouza ................................................................................. 57 Figure 4.14 : Kutcha and Semi-Pakka housing along the canal-front and Pakka housing (G+2/3 along the interiors on private serviced land) ................................................... 58 Figure 4.15 : Nayapatti mouza during 2005 – vacant green spaces and patchy settlements and upcoming transport links .................................................................... 59 Figure 4.16 : Nayapatti mouza during 2017 – rapid densification, up-gradations and operational transport links............................................................................................ 61 Figure 4.17 : (Left) Extreme densification along the canal front, (Mid) Nayapatti ground is one of the only open spaces, (Right) Mix of Semi-pakka and Pakka. ..................... 62 Figure 4.18 : Upcoming developments in New Town also influenced Mahishgot (caused an increase in the built-up of Mahishgot 2005-2011-2017) – Another instance of how demographic and spatial growth happened, as Mahishgot’s population doubled from 2001 to 2011 (3607 to 7224). .............................................................................. 63 Figure 4.19 : Densification taking place along the canal-front (especially in Mahishbathan after 2009 Aila Cyclone) between 2005-2011-2017 – Primary instance of both demographic and spatial growth in the study region. ...................................... 64 Figure 5.1 : Map showing the locations for the focussed group discussions .............. 68 5

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 5.2 Map showing the time frames for the mouzas............................................ 70 Figure 5.3 : Up-gradations in housing done in the study region .................................. 83 Figure 5.4 : New constructions in the study region ..................................................... 83 Figure 5.5 : (Left) An instance of an entire building being rented out in Nayapatti, .. 84 Figure 5.6 : Buildings in New Town (left) influencing buildings in the study region (centre and right) .......................................................................................................... 84 Figure 5.7 : Garbage disposed at the canal-front and the community dump and the .. 86 Figure 5.8 : Shared toilets along the canal front in ward 28 in Nayapatti and Mahishbathan ............................................................................................................... 87 Figure 5.9 : All the modes of transport plying within the study region – Private, Public, IPT, NMT ..................................................................................................................... 90 Figure 5.10 : Map showing location of the bus stops (1, 2 and 3) in the study region 91 Figure 6.1 : Timeline of major events in the region .................................................... 94 Figure 6.2 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2005 ....... 95 Figure 6.3 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2008-2009 ...................................................................................................................................... 96 Figure 6.4 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2013 ....... 96 Figure 6.5 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2005 ................... 97 Figure 6.6 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2009 ................... 98 Figure 6.7 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2013 ................... 98 Figure 6.8 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2015 ................... 99 Figure 6.9 : Proposed relocation site.......................................................................... 101

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

List of tables Table 1.1 : Methodology for Objective 1..................................................................... 14 Table 1.2 : Methodology for Objective 2..................................................................... 16 Table 1.3 : Methodology for Objective 3..................................................................... 17 Table 4.1 : Decadal and annual population growth in the study region ...................... 44 Table 4.2 : Decadal and annual population growth in the neighbouring regions and Kolkata Metropolitan Area .......................................................................................... 45 Table 4.3 : Population density in the study region....................................................... 46 Table 4.4 : Population density in the neighbouring regions and in the KMA ............. 47 Table 5.1 : Table showing the stretches for the FGDs and the groups available for the FGDs ............................................................................................................................ 68 Table 5.2 : Occupational shift in Polenite mouza ........................................................ 71 Table 5.3 : Occupational shift in the Thakdari mouza ................................................. 72 Table 5.4 : Occupational shift in Mahishbathan .......................................................... 73 Table 5.5 : Occupational shift in Nayapatti ................................................................. 73 Table 5.6 : Occupational shift in Tarulia ..................................................................... 74 Table 5.7 : Occupational shift in Mahishgot ................................................................ 75 Table 5.8 : Housing diversity in Mahishbathan ........................................................... 76 Table 5.9 : Housing diversity in Nayapatti .................................................................. 78 Table 5.10 : Housing diversity in Polenite................................................................... 79 Table 5.11 : Housing diversity in Tarulia .................................................................... 80 Table 5.12 : Housing diversity in Mahishgot............................................................... 81 Table 5.13 : Housing diversity in Thakdari ................................................................. 82 Table 5.14 : Table showing modes of garbage collection in the mouzas .................... 86 Table 5.15 : Table showing the drainage characteristics at the canal-front and interiors ...................................................................................................................................... 88 Table 5.16 : Table showing the transportation patterns of ward 28............................. 89 Table 5.17 : Table showing the transportation patterns of ward 27............................. 91

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background The eastern peri-urban regions of Kolkata, is a mix of two extremes. There are planned developments involving high end housing (gated communities in regions namely Salt Lake and New Town) & office buildings with glass facades (Sector V, which is the IT hub of Kolkata) on one end. Surprisingly, within these planned developments, there is also a co-existence of unplanned developments comprising informal settlements, representing typical rural characteristics (these regions were earlier Gram panchayats) in the peri-urban setting.

Figure 1.1 : Planned developments Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/85296574@N00/10451623713

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 1.2 : Unplanned developments (Informal settlements/squatters) Source: Primary

The study region for the thesis, is the unplanned developments, which were erstwhile villages (Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat) or part of a municipality (Bidhannagar Municipality), but currently falls under the jurisdiction of a municipal corporation (Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation established in 2015). In spite of falling under a municipal corporation, these regions are still lagging behind its neighbours in terms of development. Its so-called neighbours include Salt Lake (planned satellite town built in mid-1960s, divided into sectors and blocks), New Town (planned township post the 1990s, has a Land Use Development Control Plan LUDCP and under jurisdiction of New Town Kolkata Development Authority NKDA) and Sector V (planned industrial township post 2006, also sub-divided into blocks). Meanwhile, within the study region, which is currently wards 27 and 28 of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, there is an absence of any possible land use planning intervention. Also, through the literature reviews done in the initial phases of this thesis programme, a key aspect for this thesis was to get a brief idea of what a peri-urban area is and the associated problems, by looking at certain case examples across India. Traditionally, peri-urban regions, were always marginal to the processes of urban development, but currently in the developing nations in the Global South, these peri urban regions are representative of the deeper political and economic shifts and social transformations. This study region, in spite of getting integrated due to the presence of nearby planned developments, is still considered as a peri-urban region and aces all the associated problems faced in peri-urban regions in other parts of India and South Asia. These issues are predominantly associated with access to infrastructure, change in land use and poor governance, stands true in this case as well.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

1.2 Aim of the thesis The study aims to assess and analyse the influence of planned urban developments in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas, on the surrounding villages.

1.3 Key objectives of the thesis In order to achieve the above goal, the key objective of the thesis is to understand how these unplanned developments in the region have been influenced by planned urban developments in the vicinity. This can be done by analysing the following –

Objective 1 - To understand the evolution of the study region with respect to the development in the surrounding areas. This has been done through – -

Secondary research – Reviewing the existing reports and planned documents (Land Use Development Control Plan of New Town),

Historical documentation – Analysing the administrative history of the region by referring to historical documents from available secondary sources. In addition, a key timeline for Bidhannagar is prepared which explains the chronological sequence of events – Initiation to formaton of Bidhannagar Municipality to Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in 2015.

Objective 2 – To analyse the transformation of the study area and to understand the contrasting characteristics over a specific time frame. This analysis is done through: -

Demographic growth – Calculating decadal and annual growth rate (CAGR) in terms of population and other parameters (density, number of households, number of housing units) from the available Census data (2001-2011) and other online sources (BMC website) in the study region, surrounding planned developments and for the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Spatial growth – Assessing the built up transformation from Satellite data (Google Earth) to understand densification through the years (2005-20112017).

Objective 3 – This objective aims to understand the differences within the study region in terms of certain parameters. As there is an enormous amount of diversity throughout the mouzas, the comparative analysis is done at two fronts – at the Keshtopur canal front and in the interiors of the mouzas. There are 4 primary parameters, on whose basis FGDs and interviews are undertaken. These parameters are as follows –

Occupational shift – To understand the occupational shift, the previous and current occupation of the people and the previous and current work place is to be known. This will enable to understand whether and how the occupational patterns shifted from the primary sector, namely, agriculture or fishing to the occupation in the non-agricultural context.

Diversity in housing typology – The diversity in the housing typology, can be done by comparison in terms of the following – timeline/establishment of the settlements, predominant housing typology, general land use pattern, ownership status of the land (canal land or private land) and ownership status of the housing (owned or rented).

Access to infrastructure – The service levels within the mouza can be compared through the following aspects – water supply, garbage collection (Solid

waste

management),

drainage

(waterlogging)

and

sanitation

characteristics (toilets – type and availability). -

Transportation characteristics – This includes aspects, namely, the character of the roads (type, condition, and Right of way), available transport modes (public, IPT, NMT) and the last mile connectivity.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

1.4 Need for the thesis On the whole, there are multiple reasons for doing this thesis. On a personal front, the broad scope of the thesis, which deals with the influence of planned urban developments on an unplanned region, which struck a chord with some of my areas of interest. In addition, there are certain aspects within the scope of the thesis, which triggered my interest in this topic. In addition, some aspects related to the study region, needed to be ventured into from a general perspective for the broader good. Some of these aspects can be elucidated as follows – 

Absence of land use planning - There is no existing document signifying land use planning, there is no LUDCP. The absence of planning interventions in the study region has led to unplanned developments, comprising erstwhile villages and parts of municipalities, in the midst of modern day planned developments, residential and industrial townships in this scenario.



Juxtaposition of rural and urban characteristics in the peri-urban context - The primary reason in attempting to work towards this topic was to understand the kind and the extent of diversity present in the peri-urban regions of Kolkata. Since, there is a clear co-existence of both rural and urban characteristics present in the study region, this triggered my interest in this aspect.



Economic inter-dependence – In spite of the differences in the physical characteristics between the unplanned and the planned developments, there is a strong co-relation between these regions, when it comes to occupation trends. A major percentage of the people living in the unplanned regions, go to earn their living in the planned regions nearby. Understanding this strong economic interdependence between the regions, was also an important reason for selecting this thesis.



Diversity within the study region – The unplanned developments which form the study region for this thesis, also showcases enormous diversity. This diversity can be understood through various aspects. Firstly, there co-existence of varied housing typologies within the study region. 12

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



Understanding the socio-political history - Exploring a region that had been socially and politically infamous earlier due to the issues like land acquisition, which involved oppression of the poor people during incidents of land grab and terror in the region. This land was earlier Bhangor and Rajarhat, was actually farm lands, where the primary occupation was farming and fishing. In addition, the history of this region has not always been showcased by media in West Bengal. Therefore, to explore this region from the ground zero level and understand the daily life of the people, had been one of the reasons of selecting this topic for the dissertation programme.



Inadequacy of studies done in this region - In addition, there have not been not many studies have been done with respect to this region. There are many studies which have been conducted only in the planned neighbourhood regions New Town and Rajarhat. But, this study region and this aspect of plannedunplanned influence has rarely been touched upon.

Thus, the main purpose of this thesis is to get a deeper understanding of the influence that the planned developments have on the unplanned study region. In order to get this broader picture, it is important to understand this region from different levels - macro level by having a contextual understanding of the overall region, ward level and mouza level (wards are sub-divided into mouzas) and finally into the micro level, through the settlements.

1.5 Methodology In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, certain activities and their corresponding methods have been performed throughout the duration of this thesis. Therefore, the methodology followed can be elucidated in the subsequent paragraphs.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Activ ities

Methodology Method

Expected data types

Documentary analysis

Study and analyse existing online data, reports and existing plans (LUDCP)

Secondary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Historical documentation

Documentary analysis from books and websites

Secondary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

On-site documentation

Observ ation based and photo-documentation only

Primary qualitativ e

Literature reviews

Urbanisation in I ndia | Peri-Urban interface in the I ndian context | History of the study region - a socialist and political v iew.

Primary qualitativ e

I nterv iews with Ward councillors (Wards 27 and 28), Gram Panchayat Stakeholder interv iews (Key Primary qualitativ e and pradhan, Engineer at I rrigation department, Jalasampad bhawan, Salt person interv iews) quantitativ e Lake. I nformal interactions

I nteraction with locals and elders in the region

Primary qualitativ e

Table 1.1 : Methodology for Objective 1

In order to successfully get a contextual understanding of the overall region at the macro perspective, the work pattern to be followed was a mix of both studying from secondary sources and site visits. The documentary analysis part was sub-divided into two different parts. Here, firstly, the existing online data, reports and articles were studied to get an understanding at the macro-level. To locate the region geographically, the maps had been retrieved from various websites, most notably the official website for the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Other government websites and articles, predominantly from Economic and Political Weekly, were also accessed to gain more information. Also, since there is a dearth of land use plans, the only available land use plan, the Land Use Development Control Plan or LUDCP for New Town was studied and analysed to obtain a broad overview of the region and also the planning processes in the vicinity. In addition, few documents related to the planning of Salt Lake was also studied. The following part of this documentary analysis included historical documentation. To understand the history of this region, the administrative history and the socio-political history were considered. The administrative history dealt with the chronological events in Bidhannagar from an administrative perspective – initiation of Bidhannagar to formation of Bidhannagar municipality to the present day Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in 2015. This administrative history was obtained solely from online sources, predominantly from BMC’s and NDITA’s official websites. The sociopolitical history of the region was documented from reports and articles noted down by non-governmental organizations like Sanhati, and news articles from leading English and Bengali newspapers in Kolkata. This socio-political history provided a better 14

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

understanding of the remorseful incidents that occurred at this region, namely the land acquisition and oppression of the poor people in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. The literature studies explained in the next chapter, Chapter 2, has also been undertaken during this stage. The key topics that were studied upon as part of the literature studies were – Urbanisation in India, Peri-urban interface in the Indian context and the history of the region from a socio-political view. All these topics were relevant from the Indian context as well as from the perspective of the study region. In addition to this secondary data, which was done in December 2017 and January 2018, field work was also carried out during this time period. This included a transect walk through the length of the site, to get a general understanding of the region, and photo documenting it. During this transect walk, there were informal interactions with the local people, the residents and elders, which provided valuable insights on the region. This transect walk was solely observation based and for photo-documentation purpose only. Moreover, in order to achieve this broad objective of getting a contextual understanding of the region, certain key person interviews were also done in January and February. The prominent key persons who were interviewed included the current ward councillors of ward 27, who was also the Gram Panchayat Pradhan of the erstwhile Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat, and his secretary, who had been living in this region from birth, and had inside out knowledge of this region. Other key persons who were interviewed, after prior appointments were the engineers and officials at Jalasampad Bhaban or the Irrigation department of Govt. of West Bengal, located at Salt Lake.

Figure 1.3 : (Left) Entrance to the ward councillors (Prosenjit Sardar and Santosh Pramanik) office in Ward 27 and (right) Jalasampad Bhaban (Irrigation department of West Bengal) Source: Primary

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Activ ities

Demographic Growth

Methodology Method

Expected data types

Calculating annual growth rate (CAGR) in the study region from av ailable sources (Census data) based on certain parameters

Secondary quantitativ e

Cross-checking through KPI s (Ward councillors) and interactions with local residents.

Primary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Assessing the built-up transformation from Satellite data (Google Earth) to understand densification through the years (2005-present)

Primary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Cross-checking through KPI s (Ward councillors) and interactions with local residents.

Primary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Spatial Growth

Table 1.2 : Methodology for Objective 2

The next objective, attempts were made to calculate the growth of the study region on 2 fronts – spatially and demographically. The spatial growth was assessed through visual and observational methods by comparing the transformations taking place at the regional level and also at the study region. This analysis was done solely from the available satellite data – Google Earth, where certain years where specifically highlighted, which showed enormous transformation spatially. The demographic growth was obtained by calculating the decadal and annual growth rate (CAGR) from the available census data of the years 2001 and 2011, in the study region and comparing the growth rate of the study region to the surrounding planned developments and also comparing to Kolkata Metropolitan Area’s growth rate. These population statistics of the overall region was obtained from the census website, but for obtaining the population of the individual mouzas, the official website of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and other online sources were also referred to. In addition, apart from population, other parameters like density, number of households and number of housing units were obtained from the Census and associated online sources, were also taken into consideration for assessing the demographic growth of the study region. This stage of the thesis also involved the correlation between the obtained spatial growth and demographic growth in order to effectively understand the enormous transformations occurring in the study region in the given time frame. This stage also included certain key person interviews with the ward councillor of ward 27, who provided approximate figures of the recent demographic trends in the study region. In addition, many of the local residents were also partially instrumental in providing rough estimates of the demographic trends along the canal front and the 16

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

interior regions of the mouzas. These key person interviews were also done during January and February.

Methodology

Activ ities Method

Expected data types

On-site documentation

Photo documentation and schematic representation (sketches and sections)

Primary qualitativ e

Rapid assessment (reconaissance) surv eys

Questionnaire surv eys (approximately 50) and few FGD's to understand physical conditions (housing typology), period of stay and prev ious location and occupation profile.

Primary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Focussed group discussions

FGDs and indiv idual interv iews with local residents to hav e a comparativ e analysis at different locations within the study region, on the basis of certain parameters.

Primary qualitativ e and quantitativ e

Table 1.3 : Methodology for Objective 3

The final objective, was to analyse the influence of the planned developments at the micro level. This stage was predominantly started during December 2017 and went on through certain phases till mid-March 2018. A general idea of the settlements along the canal front were formed by first, visiting the region in January, and photographically documenting the key points related to the settlements and the overall region. This visit was predominantly observational, where the study region was briefly understood by observing and through pictures. On the next site visit in February, the canal front was surveyed in greater details. Questionnaire surveys were prepared for the same. This was a rapid assessment survey to get an overall idea of the settlements along the Keshtopur canal-front. Approximately 50 households were surveyed through this reconnaissance survey. The number of households was estimated as 2.5% of the total number of households (1800 to 2000) located along the canal-front on both sides, in wards 27 and 28. This reconnaissance survey was primary in nature with qualitative and quantitative outcomes. The main purpose of this survey was to understand the physical conditions like housing typology and infrastructure, period of stay of the people at this current location and their previous location. Additionally, the occupation profile of the people were also obtained from these rapid surveys. The final phase of this stage included the comparative analysis within the study region. The only methods undertaken for this comparative analysis were focussed group discussions and individual interviews (where groups of people were not available) with the local residents in the study region.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 1.4 : Some of the groups of people at the study region (Thakdari and Mahishbathan) with whom focussed group discussion were conducted during February-March Source: Primary

To understand the enormous diversity, within the study region at the mouza level, the comparative analysis was done on 2 fronts – at the Keshtopur canal-front and at the interior regions of the mouzas. Approximately 20 focussed group discussions were done in the study region during 10th to 17th March in 2018, on the basis of 4 parameters. These parameters were as follows – occupational shift, diversity in housing typology, access to infrastructure and transportation characteristics.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Background As already explained through several literature written in the last decades, the major metropolitan cities in India, namely, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata have grown substantially not only in terms of population, but also in terms of their areal spread (Shaw, Emerging Patterns of Urban Growth in India, 1999). In addition, apart from the large metropolitan cities like these 4, there are also the smaller metropolitan cities in India, which are also categorized as metropolitan cities because of the million plus population criteria. In the current decade, post 2011, the smaller metropolitan cities or ‘secondary metros’, namely, Faridabad, Rajkot, Meerut, Nasik, Allahabad, to name a few, experience in-filling within the city limits, while the large metros show declining growth in the core regions, and show outward expansion, by engulfing villages and smaller towns in the surrounding areas (Shaw, Peri-Urban Interface of Indian Cities : Growth, Governance and Local Initiatives, 2005). This outward expansion of the larger metropolitan cities like Kolkata for instance, has created more complexities in the interactions with the surrounding rural areas, and gradual changes in land use and occupation patterns of the people, transforming these regions to ‘semi-urban’ or ‘periurban’ regions. This peri-urbanization is a major aspect for metropolitan cities in the developing world today. Additionally, peri-urban is a concept that has studied widely earlier as well, because of the ‘economic and social linkages’ with the city (Ramachandran, 1989). Peri-urban as a concept has also been widely looked into elsewhere, like Terry McGee’s ‘Desakota concept’ focussing on the urban-rural continuum, where both the regions are benefitted to a great extent. Larger markets are created in the rural areas which increases the earnings to a great extent. On the other hand, for the urban regions, there is a reduced housing cost, lesser density which means lesser congestion in the built-up regions in urban areas (Ginsberg, Koppel, & McGee, 1991) Therefore, in order to understand the peri-urbanization in Kolkata, certain case examples from the Indian and South Asian context, have been thoroughly studied. The major objective of this study was to know about the issues and problems threatening peri-urban regions elsewhere, and whether these issues are also prevalent in the study

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

region in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas. In addition, the last part of this chapter focusses thoroughly on the study region. The study region till the last decade was one of the prominent peri-urban areas of Kolkata. But currently with New Town developing rapidly, this peri-urban areas are slowly integrating and getting squeezed in between the surrounding planned developments. Thus, the last part of this chapter deals with the evolution of the study region, with brief emphasis on the formal-informal relationship here. Additionally, this region has had quite a dark socio-political history, having been less emphasized by the media. Therefore, the primary purpose of this literature review, is to get an understanding of the peri-urban regions to a great extent and also to understand the study region from a socialist perspective and learning the political scene in the region.

2.2 Peri-Urban Interface in the Indian context In terms of categorizing issues for the peri-urban areas, most of the peri-urban regions in the Global South face identical issues. The greatest issue that needs attention anywhere, is the access to basic services. The fringes of many cities suffer from poor infrastructure and service provision, adding with it the incapacity of the local governments (Dahiya, 2003). The local governments in peri-urban areas lack the administrative capacity to collect, transport and dispose of the waste (Dahiya, 2003). Moreover, lack of sanitary workers and poor financial situation aggravates the solid waste management. Through this study done by Dahiya in 2003, it is also noted that the town of Valasaravakkam in peri-urban Chennai is an example which faces these kinds of issues. In regions like Kathivakkam in the peri-urban regions of Chennai, due to financial issues, the local governments are unable to afford modern waste collection technologies and hence they rely on outdated modes of waste collection, like bullock carts (Dahiya, 2003). This leads to inefficient waste collection and also leads to a large amount of waste not getting collected. Other issues related to waste collection, include the unavailability of dustbins or when the dustbins are not in order. In the towns of Thruvottiyur and Ernavoor in the northern fringes of Chennai, dustbins are not in order, which leads to the accumulation of waste on the street and the vacant plots. This poses a serious threat to the environment and also poses health hazards (Dahiya, 2003). Regions like Valasaravakkam, actually faces major issues in terms of solid waste 20

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

management. Due to irregular cleaning and inadequate waste collection, the solid waste often mixes in the drainage channels, which often leads to environmental problems. Furthermore, a lot of waste is also dumped along the roadside, on vacant lands and at the lakeside (Thiruvottiyur municipality) and the along canals and water bodies like Buckingham Canal near Kathivakkam (Dahiya, 2003). These have a long lasting irreversible degrading effect on the natural resources, environment and livelihood. Apart from the environmental degradation caused due to improper dumping techniques, burning of wastes on vacant land causes air pollution, which leads to several health hazards. Not only is the waste produced by peri urban regions an issue, the waste produced by the core city regions of Chennai is also transported and dumped in the peri urban regions, which exacerbates the problems of solid waste management to a great extent. Another issue in terms of the basic services that the water supply. The poor physical accessibility of peri urban areas limits the provision of water supply. Lack of proper water supply in peri-urban regions firstly leads to inadequate water supply and water consumption, which further leads to health hazards in the long run. The urbanization driven by industrialization in the city’s periphery, causes higher consumption by domestic household users, industries and also by irrigation services. This overconsumption leads to a water scarcity in the peri-urban areas and also in the surrounding rural areas. This water scarcity strongly hampers the daily life of the residents of the regions who have to face difficulties because of lack of drinking water and lack of water supply. There are however many approaches that have been tried out to tackle this. There are certain decentralised approaches which have a greater user involvement and less capital intensive solutions. These decentralised approaches are economically and environmentally sustainable for water supply and sanitation services for the peri-urban areas. The peri-urban interface in the Indian context has implications also from a socioeconomic viewpoint. The uneven urbanization patterns causes a shift in the economic activities. Peri-urbanization causes an emergence of informal and illegal activities in the grey space between urban and rural. This heterogeneity is subject to fast changes over time. This peri-urbanization in the Indian context creates a situation, where there is a co-existence or an intermingling between the small farmers, the informal settlers, industrial entrepreneurs and the urban middle class commuters. The presence of 21

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

multiple socio-economic growth, in a way, pushes in more people to these peri-urban regions, which causes a rapid, uncontrolled and sudden population growth which is always unplanned. This uncontrolled population growth generates negative environmental and social effects. This socio-economic heterogeneity is very prevalent in the peri-urban region of Tungi in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania (Allen, Dávila, & Hofmann, 2006). There the peri-urban livelihoods are strongly driven by markets, which are more diverse than rural areas. The peri-urban regions of Dar Es Salaam, face the same issues as faced in the Indian or South Asian context, like, lack of infrastructure and basic services (overburdened pipelines and delayed service improvements), lack of regular incomes, inadequate access to natural resources, housing shortage, congestion and health problems. Apart from the socio-economic angle, there is a multiplicity in terms of land use characteristics. There is a mix of rural and urban characteristics. This mixture also includes the housing for various income groups, which also includes the section of the people who illegally encroach and in turn causing densification in the city’s peripheral regions. Mix in the land uses, also leads to poor transportation links which is another major issue in most Indian metropolitan centres. Thus, as already stated previously, in the Global South, the rapid rates of urbanization in peri-urban areas, leads to urban issues which arise predominantly due to poor management practices leading from discrepancies in the governance. On one hand, there are cases of Chennai and Cairo, which have overlapping agencies governing at the peri-urban region. On the other hand, in the case of Dar es Salaam, there is an institutional fragmentation, which leads to a lack of communication between the different administrative agencies (Allen, Dávila, & Hofmann, 2006). As stated by Annapurna Shaw, lack of clarity in the governance structure is one of the main reasons for the neglect of the peri-urban regions. Thus, for a better governance, it is a responsibility of the other actors, like the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), grass roots organizations (GROs) and the private sector to take up responsibility. As stated through Beall’s works regarding solid waste management in the peri urban regions in Bangalore in India and Faisalabad in Pakistan, civic engagement is a key tool in solving these issues. Civic engagement includes the formation of neighbourhood committees and creating forums for community development and involving citizens in identifying issues, and prioritizing 22

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

their needs as per their requirements. Beall has worked on the social capital framework in these cities, which in a way transfers the responsibility from the upper tiers to the lower order institutions and the citizens themselves. A very good case example to support the community based initiative is in the peri-urban regions of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. There is a women-led civil society, Shri Shankara Nagar Mahalir Manram (SSNMM) in the town of Pammal in the peripheries of Chennai (Shaw, Peri-Urban Interface of Indian Cities : Growth, Governance and Local Initiatives, 2005). SSNMM took the initiative to provide a community based solid waste collection service. In Pammal, earlier there was extremely low levels of waste collection, primarily because of – lack of sanitary workers, poor financial situation of the local government and the lack of a proper disposal site. To tackle these issues related to SWM, the SSNMM formed by 10 women, started literally from the grass-root levels, that is, from the household levels. Their strategy ranged from collection of the household waste and instead of just dumping the waste, SSNMM came up with their own interventions of recycling and treating of the waste. Earlier, the residents faced ill consequences like foul odour, flies and insects, whenever the garbage was not cleared on time. However, the newer interventions of recycling and treating the waste by the SSNMM is advantageous on many fronts. Firstly, there is a much reduced scope of environmental degradation ranging from openly littered waste. Also, there is a lower risk of health hazards. These interventions have also created newer forms of employment among the local people. In another instance, Joka, a census town located in the southern peripheral region of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), also faced major issues in terms of solid waste management (Shaw, Peri-Urban Interface of Indian Cities : Growth, Governance and Local Initiatives, 2005). Contrary to the case of Pammal, which had a civic status and was under a town panchayat, Joka was under the village administration, under the Joka gram panchayat, outside the purview of the KMC area. The major problems faced here, were the lack of proper landfill sites for garbage disposal. As per KMC’s orders KMC’s dustbins could not be used outside its jurisdiction area, and Joka being a Gram Panchayat was forbidden from using KMC’s dustbins. Previously, there have been instances where the residents of Joka were disallowed from using KMC’s vats or dustbins, owing to the reason that the existing infrastructure was already strained by population growth within the KMC. Thus to cater to this accumulating garbage issues 23

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

on the roads, the residents of the Diamond Park Area in Joka and a local NGO, JokaOrganization for Protection of Environment and Development (Joka-OPED) decided to initiate action in this matter. In spite of many efforts, there has not been a very effective outcome in the situation in Joka. The major contrast between the 2 case examples of Pammal and Joka, is that Pammal’s case is much more successful with respect to Joka due to many reasons. In Pammal, SSNMM’s activities were developmental and action oriented, and thus materialized. In Joka, the main activities have been awareness raising and has solely increased environmental awareness among the people. Joka has not been able to bring any major changes at the policy levels (Ansbaek & Roiha, 2003). As the Indian metropolitan cities are spreading outwards, the peri-urban regions in these cities are gaining more prominence in the last decades. The main motive of policy makers now, should be to act and provide enhanced basic environmental and infrastructural services in these regions. However, to provide these requirements, local level initiatives will surely be successful. Hence, a clear partnership between the local level initiatives and government support is the ultimate solution for effectively governing the peri-urban interface in the Indian context.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

2.3 History of the study region – a socialist and political view The north-eastern peripheral regions of Kolkata is a region of various extremes. The high end housing, the IT parks and commercial complexes, hotels, shopping malls, entertainment complexes and convention centres on one hand. On the other hand, informal settlements, urban villages and vacant lands lined this region. Moreover, the regions of New Town and Rajarhat which is being promoted and developed to provide more housing to Kolkata’s middle class population, is also turning out to be the destination for the urban poor. The urban poor working in the neighbouring regions like Salt Lake and New Town, are mostly using informal methods, either directly or indirectly, to secure their accommodation here. Studies related to this region have been related predominantly to the logic of formal planned development on one hand versus urban informality on the other. Ratoola Kundu in her paper on “Examining gray areas of urban development” posed several questions regarding this planned-unplanned aspect and the formal-informal nexus in Rajarhat. One of the first questions related to this overall region, included the location for the new township of New Town. Other questions also comprised of whether the urban poor were getting integrated or excluded in this scenario. Also, with respect to the formal-informal context, the exact meaning of this informality was questioned. Thus, through her research, urban informality has emerged as a mode of urbanization that is not just restricted to the urban poor, but along with formal means of urban development, the poor are getting spatially excluded to an extent (Kundu, 2009). The overall history of this region has been a very dark one. This regions had been socially and politically infamous due to certain issues, which had not been showcased by the local media in West Bengal due to political reasons. A snapshot of this regions’ history is as follows – -

Land Acquisition process in 1995: To set up Rajarhat and New Town, the government used the old colonial system used during the British rule to acquire lands. The Land Acquisition Act (1894) was enacted to acquire the 21 Mouzas of land. Thus, 7000 hectares of agricultural land and water bodies in 21 Mouzas came under acquisition and the process was started in 1999 under the Act. According to estimates, there were approximately 2.5 lakh people residing in the area who were either evicted or were otherwise adversely affected. A total 25

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

of 3075 hectares of land under Rajarhat New Town Project was made available partly through land acquisition and partly through direct purchase from the respective owners of the land (Sengupta, 2008). -

Land-grab and terror: The local leaders and anti-social elements supported by the then ruling party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) inflicted terror in the land grabbing process. The goons associated with this party inflicted cases of violence and terror in the villages, especially in Tarulia, Thakdari, Mahishgot, Mahishbathan, Kochpukur and Jodthbhim villages, which then fell under the Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat and the neighbouring Gram panchayats (Sengupta, 2008).

Agitation by the poor people: After the instances of land grab, terror and oppression faced by the poor people, there was a section of the poor people who went against the powerful. The people made committees namely the ‘Rajarhat Krishiraksha Committee’ or the ‘Save Rajarhat Farmers Committee’. The other committee formed by the people was the ‘Mahishbathan Jibikachyuta Bekar Samity’ which constituted of the people who were rendered jobless by the land acquisition process. This committee had approximately 250 members, who joined together to get their land and livelihood back (Sengupta, 2008).

Lack of support from TMC: Apart from the then ruling party CPI (M), the prominent rival of the CPI (M) was the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The oppressed poor people who had lost their land, hoped to get some support from the TMC. However, to their dismay, the TMC leaders collaborated with the CPI(M) workers as trade partners and became engaged in the syndicate business. In West Bengal, syndicate is a racket within the real estate business, where unemployed men backed by the ruling party use violence to force contractors into buying inferior building materials from them at a premium. This includes supplying of materials, construction business and contracting work related to buildings (Sengupta, 2008).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Land values and corruption: The lands that were acquired were actually farm lands that were very fertile in character, and the primary occupation in those lands was farming and fishing. Thus, the land value of those lands differed according to the nature and the location of the land. Certain mouzas like Mahisbathan, Mahisgot, are high valued land with INR 14000 per katha whereas the low valued lands range around INR 7000 per katha. The sad thing about this entire land values was the sheer inequality in terms of payment received. While the farmers were paid only between 5000 to 6000 Rupees per katha, the same land was being sold by the government to the businessmen at around 6 lakh Rupees per katha. Along with the businessmen, the promoters and the developers were also making hefty profits of 1.5 to 2 crore rupees (Sengupta, 2008).

Therefore, alongside the historical perspective, a key question arises from the aspect of land prices, is that the effect the land prices have on the developments in the region. Does the increasing land prices in one region have an influence on the development patterns in the surrounding regions, by causing unplanned and sporadic developments?

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

OBJECTIVE 1 – MACRO LEVEL OBJECTIVE

To understand the evolution of the study region with respect to the development in the surrounding region - Understanding the area historically and geographically 3.1

Background

Figure 3.1 : Map showing Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) boundary along with the 4 municipal corporation boundaries - Chandannagore, Howrah, Kolkata and Bidhannagar. Source: KMA Website and BMC website, Representation primary

The KMA consists of 4 Municipal corporations and 38 municipalities. The rest of the KMA comprises the census towns, outgrowths and the rural areas. As the study region for this thesis is a part of a municipal corporation, therefore, only the 4 municipal corporations have been listed as follows 28

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) having 144 wards,

Howrah Municipal Corporation having 50 wards,

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) having 41 wards, and

Chandannagore Municipal Corporation having 33 wards.

Figure 3.2 : Administrative boundary of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Source: BMC website, Representation primary

Focussing on Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), BMC is geographically spread in Eastern Kolkata with 1 Head office at Bidhannagar, 6 Borough and 41 ward offices across the jurisdiction of the BMC.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

BMC has a jurisdictional area of around 60.5 Sq. Km., which is 3.2% of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. BMC caters services to 6.33 lakhs population, which 1.27% of KMA population and 0.68% of the state’s population. According to census data and online sources (BMC official website), there are approximately 1.5 lakh households in BMC. The maps shown above, firstly show the 4 municipal corporations within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area boundary, highlighting Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Along with the 4 municipal corporations, there are also 38 municipalities within the KMA, which have not been highlighted here, as the main focus is towards Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. The second map shows the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in greater detail, also showing its neighbouring municipalities.

3.2 Historical documentation Administrative history of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation 

1958 to 1965 - Salt Lake, also named as Bidhannagar, after then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who visioned a planned satellite town to relieve Kolkata’s population pressure. The idea of finding an outlet for this increasing population through a new city by reclaiming the marsh and watery wastes in the east of Kolkata was hovering round the minds of the policy makers from a long time. After India’s independence in 1947, a Master Plan Technical Committee was formed to reclaim the region of Salt Lake in Eastern Kolkata. At last the idea of filling of these watery areas by sand and silt procured by dredging from the bed of the river Hooghly was conceived by Dr B C Roy. Thus, the work of reclamation was allotted to a Yugoslav Firm after floating global tenders. This project of Reclamation and Development of about 6 sq. miles of these watery wastes was inaugurated by Dr B C Roy on 16th April 1962 for the people of Kolkata. In this way, Salt Lake was developed as a township between 1958 and 1965, which is planned by a Yugoslavian planner Dobrivoje Toskovic (Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, 2009-2010).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



1960s - Bidhannagar was originally developed and built under the direct administration of the Irrigation and Waterways Department of the Government of West Bengal. Originally, it came under the Public Works Department (Bidhannagar, 2018).



1980s – During the 1980s, Salt Lake came under the wings of Metropolitan Development Department which was renamed the Urban Development Department in 1991 (Bidhannagar, 2018).



Early 1980s – In January 1984, India’s largest stadium in terms of seating capacity, the Salt Lake stadium was established. On the other hand, the establishment of the Salt Lake stadium also left a large number of people homeless. These people, originally residents of neighbouring Duttabad, were relocated to a planned resettlement colony Sukantonagar on Salt Lake’s periphery.



1989 - A Notified Area Authority was set up to administer the area.



Early 1990s – There was a proposal laid forward for merging the Bidhannagar Corporation with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). However, this proposal completely failed to materialize.



1991 – One of the first and major amusement parks of Eastern India, Nicco Park, established in Salt Lake, to attract tourists and boost tourism in Bidhannagar. Even to this day, Nicco Park, which is also referred to as the ‘Disneyland of West Bengal’, is located on a 40 acre site and is one of the most visited tourist spots in Kolkata.



1995 – In 1995, Bidhannagar got converted into a newly formed municipality, Bidhannagar Municipality, which constituted 23 wards (later 25) within 5 Sectors of Salt Lake City. These 5 sectors were sub-divided as - Sector-I, SectorII, Sector-III and Sector-IV as Residential Townships, and Sector-V as Industrial Area (Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, 2009-2010).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



1995 to 2005 – After becoming a municipality, Bidhannagar Municipality became responsible for all the municipal services (Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, 2009-2010) including assessment and collection of property taxes in all the residential sectors and also in the industrial sector (Sector-V area).



2006 - For ensuring proper infrastructural development required for setting up of industries and maintenance, the Government of West Bengal considered it imperative to constitute an Industrial Township under Section 385A of the West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993. A notification was issued to this effect on 31st January 2006 and thus, the new Township Authority called ‘Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority’ (Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, 2009-2010) or NDITA came into existence.



2008 - The New Town Kolkata Development Authority has been constituted under The New Town Kolkata Development Authority Act, 2007 (The West Bengal Act of 2007) for rendering various civic services and amenities within New Town, Kolkata and it has come into effect since November, 2008 (New Town Kolkata Development Authority West Bengal, 2018). New Town was created to serve 2 basic purposes. First, establishing a new business centre to reduce the mounting pressure on the existing Central Business District in Central Kolkata comprising BBD Bagh, Esplanade, Park Street, Chandni Chowk, Dalhousie Square, Sudder Street and Burra Bazaar. The second purpose was to increase supply of housing stock by creating new residential units to cater to housing shortage in other regions.



2015 - On 18 June 2015 Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was constituted by merging the existing municipal areas of Bidhannagar Municipality and Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipality and the panchayat area of Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat (Bidhannagar, 2018). In addition, a portion of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), located in the south-east, falls under the administrative boundary of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

3.3 Brief overview – BMC and New Town – 

Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipality: This is the oldest and most populated municipality within the BMC. Rajarhat Gopalpur includes wards 1 to 26 of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, which comprises dense and populated regions namely Lake Town and Baguihati.



Salt Lake / Bidhannagar: Salt Lake or Bidhannagar is a planned satellite town in the eastern fringes. Salt Lake was built in the early 1960s to relieve the rising population pressure on Kolkata and accommodate the burgeoning population of Kolkata. Salt Lake comprises the wards 29 to 34 and 37 to 41 of the present Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation.

Figure 3.3 : Planned developments at Salt Lake Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/85296574@N00/10451623713



Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, NDITA (Sector V): A unique characteristic of NDITA is that while its resident population is estimated to be 900, the floating population is 1 lakh. All these commuters work in the service sector consisting of IT/ITES, Financial Institutions, Telecom, Healthcare and Food Services (Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, 2009-2010). NDITA is one of the key economic activity generators of West Bengal.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



New Town: New Town is another planned satellite township, is located outside the boundary of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. New Town falls under the jurisdiction area of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA). New Town, presently a statutory planned development area, comprising new residential developments, commercial establishments like City Centre 2, Axis Mall, Home Town mall and IT developments, was once villages, namely Rajarhat and Bhangor. The areas of Rajarhat and Bhangor which were subdivided into mouzas. These regions of Rajarhat and Bhangor, consisted of huge acres of cultivable lands and water bodies, which have been acquired and developed (New Town, Kolkata, 2018) through planning interventions.



East Kolkata Wetlands: Wetlands still dominate the topography of this area. Known as ‘bheris’ in the local language Bengali, East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) are one of the recognized Ramsar sites in India. The wetlands cover an area of 125 square kilometers, and include salt marshes and salt meadows, as well as sewage farms and settling ponds. The wetlands are used to treat Kolkata's sewage and the nutrients contained in the waste water sustain fish farms and agriculture (East Kolkata Wetlands, 2018). Pisciculture or fish farming is done in these nearby bheris, mostly under public private partnerships.

Figure 3.4 : East Kolkata Wetlands Source: http://www.earthsmiles.net/0214/articles001_features.html



Sukanta Nagar (presently ward 35): Sukanta Nagar is a well-planned township with areas divided into sectors and blocks. Sukanta Nagar comprises 34

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

a mixture of posh localities and rehabilitation zones, which was initially developed to provide housing to rehabilitated and underprivileged people on the periphery of Salt Lake. The people living here currently were originally residents of Duttabad who got rehabilitated here in the late 1980s after their land was acquired by the government for Salt Lake stadium. 

Earlier Gram Panchayats (presently wards 27 and 28): This constitutes of the erstwhile village area of Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat and portions of the Bidhannagar municipality. The Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat comprised of the mouzas, namely, Tarulia, Mahishgot and Thakdari which are currently ward 27 of BMC. There were other villages which were parts of Before the formation of BMC in 2015, ward 1 of the Bidhannagar municipality comprised of the mouzas, namely, Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite, is presently ward 28. Within the study region, there is the Keshtopur canal (Khaal) which drains into the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). This Keshtopur canal acts as a divider between the wards 27 and 28, and houses several settlements on the canal-front (khaalpaar) on either side of the canal.

Figure 3.5 : Locating the study area geographically by highlighting the unplanned developments in grey, and the planned developments in the surroundings Source: Google Maps

The absence of any available planning documents (land use plan or LUDCP) in the study region, has not only hindered development in the region, but has also affected the work process in the initial stages of this dissertation programme. This is the sole reason 35

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

why the study region and the surrounding planned developments have been represented only through satellite data, Google Earth. In the above map, the study region with the wards 27 and 28 has been highlighted in grey. The surrounding include the planned townships of Salt Lake, New Town and NDITA, and the nearly planned development of Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality.

Figure 3.6 : Locating the study area geographically at the mouza level Source: Google Maps

The subsequent map, represented below, shows the study region at a greater detail at the mouza level. At this level, ward 27 is to the north of the Keshtopur canal (highlighted in blue), and comprises the mouzas Tarulia, Mahishgot and Thakdari, having a total ward area of 1.21 sq. km. Among the mouzas in ward 27, Thakdari has the highest geographical area of 0.55 sq.km, which is the highest among both the wards. Tarulia has an area of 0.47 sq.km and Mahishgot is the least in terms of geographical area, covering only 0.19 sq. km. On the southern side of the Keshtopur canal, is ward 28, which is comparatively much more populated than ward 27, but is slightly lesser in terms of geographical area. Ward 28 covers an area of 1.06 sq. km. This ward comprises the mouzas of Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite. Among these, Mahishbathan has a higher area of 0.50 sq. km., while the other mouzas of Nayapatti and Polenite,

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

identical in terms of geographical area, each covering 0.28 sq. km. Thus, the total geographical area of the study region under consideration is 2.27 sq. km.

3.4 Summary of objective 1 Reasons for the lack of development in the study region Thus, objective 1 can be effectively summarized by understanding the main reasons as to why there is unplanned development in the study area, whereas its neighbours are well developed and effectively planned to large extents. Therefore, the reasons why this region is lagging behind its neighbours in terms of development, can be noted below in the forthcoming paragraphs as follows.

Figure 3.7 : The study region (highlighted through yellow boundaries) & surrounding planned developments (residential and industrial townships) Source: Google Maps

Thus there are certain reasons as to why the surrounding regions are ahead in terms of development as compared to the study region. Another relatively new township in the vicinity, New Town is also a planned township, which has sprang up post the 1990s. New Town’s administrative boundary has been sub-divided into action areas (I, II, III, III-A, etc.). New Town also has a Land Use Development Control Plan (LUDCP), and is under the jurisdiction of another development authority, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA). Also,

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

the LUDCP has been formulated in 2012 and is effectively followed till date in New Town.

Figure 3.8 : Regions of the New Town Planning Area (NTPA) covered under LUDCP and Proposed land use for NTPA Source: LUDCP for New Town Planning Area, 2012

Figure 3.9 : LUDCP for Rajarhat Gopalpur Source: http://kmdaonline.org/ludcp/

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

In the Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipality, the presence of the LUDCP, explains the availability of a planning document in the region, in spite of the fact that it had not been revised since 1998.

Figure 3.10 : Salt Lake and NDITA are properly planned townships

One of the most prominent neighbours to the study region, Salt Lake, is located to the north west of the study region. As explained in the historical documentation earlier, Salt Lake is a planned satellite town which was built by a Yugoslavian planner, Dobrivoje Toskovic, during the mid-1960s. Salt Lake is a planned satellite town, predominantly a residential township, is divided into sectors and blocks, throughout its area.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Among the 5 sectors that were formed from the Bidhannagar Municipality in 1995, the first four sectors were reserved as residential townships. The final of the five sectors, which was designated as an industrial township, was understandably named as Sector V. Sector V is another planned development in the vicinity of the study region. It is a planned industrial township, which has grown effectively in the last decades. Post 2006, Sector V, also known as Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) became a key economic activity generator in Kolkata. This was solely due to the hegemony of the IT sector and in the region. NDITA is sub-divided into blocks (AN, BN, CN, DN, EN, etc). Finally, venturing into the study region, in the study region of the wards 27 and 28, there has been no recognised land use interventions ever. There is no document signifying land use planning. One of the only recognized planning documents in West Bengal, the Land Use Development Control Plan or LUDCP, which is present for New Town and Rajarhat Gopalpur, is lacking in the case of this study region. Also, it is not properly planned like Bidhannagar or NDITA.

Figure 3.11 : The study region does not fall under the above highlighted regions Source: http://kmdaonline.org/ludcp/

Thus, the absence of planning interventions in the region has led to the creation of these unplanned developments. Also, the absence of any regulations has further aggravated the planning process. These unplanned developments, have to an extent been squeezed in between the planned regions. The regions, which were once parts of Gram

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Panchayats and municipalities, have literally been landlocked by modern day planned developments, residential and industrial townships in this scenario. As the BMC is newly formed, it does not have any LUDCP yet. Also, the study region or Bidhannagar is not a part of the KMC, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the BMC.

Figure 3.12 : Also study region is not a part of the KMC boundary – therefore excluded from it. Source: http://kmdaonline.org/ludcp/

Thus, the question to be understood in this context, is that how integrated does this region become with the surroundings. The forthcoming parts of this thesis report will demonstrate the influence of these surrounding planned developments on the study region, by understanding the growth patterns in the study region and also understanding the study region from more detailed level through many parameters. 41

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

OBJECTIVE 2 – GROWTH AT THE STUDY REGION

Now, as per the previously explained objective, a contextual understanding of the overall region had been done predominantly historically and geographically, the next objective, aims to get a deeper clarity on the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, and specifically the growth in the study region, through quantitative and visual methods. Therefore, the following aspects need to be understood from documentary sources: 

Demographic changes – Census statistics (2001 and 2011) and other online data (BMC website)



Spatial changes - Built up transformation from Satellite data (Google Earth) to understand densification.

4.1 Demographic changes To get an insight into the demographic changes, the overall demographic profile for Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation can be compartmentalized as follows: From the given table, it is evident that Rajarhat Gopalpur is the most populated region within the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, with approximately 63% of the total population. The region of Salt Lake, which is a planned township is also populated but has approximately 27% of Bmc’s population, which is much lesser in comparison to Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality. In terms of Figure 4.1 : Demographic profile – Population and number of households in BMC (2011) Source: BMC Website

density, as well, Rajarhat Gopalpur has a much higher density, in comparison to Salt Lake, because of the presence of certain

extremely dense regions like Baguihati, Lake Town and VIP Road, which are dense and are highly populated.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

The wards 27 and 28, which is the study region, accounts for approximately 6% of BMC’s population, and also houses approximately 5.6% of BMC’s households.

Figure 4.2 : Snapshot of the demographic profile of BMC Source: BMC Website, representation primary

The remainder of the areas, comprise a very miniscule population of approximately 4% of BMC’s population. Amongst these regions, NDITA has a very high floating population, comprising the office workers who work in the all the IT based offices, but the resident population in NDITA is only 900, as per NDITA official website, which proves the point, that the main purpose of creating a new sector as an industrial township, still stands, and there is no housing interventions there. In addition, Sukantanagar, the relocation colony, located to the south-west of Salt Lake, also has a comparatively bulky population. In fact, the East Kolkata Wetlands, which is a Ramsar site, also has a large number of people living on the lands which belong to Wetlands, and are not suitable for any kind of construction. Thus, these settlements, predominantly Kutcha, are located in strips of lands with inadequate access to services.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.1.1 Demographic analysis in terms of population 4.1.1.1 Study region - ward and Mouza level

Ward No.

27 (Previously Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat)

2001

2011

Decadal grow th in population (%)

Annual grow th in population (%)

Population

3114 3607 2973 9694

4247 7224 4278 15749

36.4 100.3 43.9

3.2 7.2 3.7

62.5

5.0

5038

19148

280.1

14.3

5038

19148

280.1

14.3

14732

34897

136.9

9.0

Mouzas

Thakdari Mahishgot Tarulia Total

28 (Previously Ward 1 of Bidhannagar Municipality pre2015)

Nayapatti Mahishbathan Polenite Total

Study region

Total

Table 4.1 : Decadal and annual population growth in the study region Source: BMC Website and Census Data

Ward 28 has a considerably higher growth rate, both decadal and annual, than Ward 27, predominantly because of the rising population along the Keshtopur Canal. In addition, ward 28, which had lower population than ward 27 in 2001, actually exceeded ward 27’s population in the year 2011, solely because of the high densification along the Keshtopur canal. This boom in population in ward 28 can be is later co-related to the high densification patterns in the spatial growth analysis later. At the ward level, ward 28’s growth rate CAGR is a whopping 14.3% which is much higher than even the entire study region’s CAGR taken. At the mouza level, certain mouzas have shown specific characteristics in terms of demographic growth patterns. In ward 27, Mahishgot experienced the maximum population growth, both decadal and annual growth. Mahishgot’s population doubled from 2001 to 2011. In ward 27, the other mouzas of Thakdari and Tarulia, showed similar trends in terms of population growth, where both seemed to grow at a similar rate. In spite of having the highest geographical area among the mouzas, Thakdari has the least population growth (decadal 36% and annual 3.2%) between 2001 and 2011. The main reason for this is the presence of more commercial establishments and lesser number of residential settlements along the canal-front.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.1.1.2 Neighbouring regions – Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality and Salt Lake In order to venture into the broader picture, the surrounding developments of Salt Lake and the Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality have also been analysed to get a clear comparison of the demographic growth patterns. In comparison to the study region, which had enormous growth rates, there is a considerable amount of growth in population even here. Among the two neighbouring regions taken here, Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality, has a much higher decadal growth rate than Salt Lake. But, in spite of this, the growth rates in wards 27 and 28 are considerably higher than Rajarhat Gopalpur or Salt Lake. Lev el

Region Rajarhat Gopalpur

municipality Planned developments in the vicinity Bidhannagar / Salt Lake

Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA)

4 Municipal Corporations + 38 municipalities + Panchayat Areas

2001 population

2011 population

Decadal growth in population (%)

Annual growth in population (%)

2,71,824

4,02,844

48.2

4.0

1,28,374

1,68,427

31.2

2.8

1,32,10,000

1,41,12,536

6.8

0.7

Table 4.2 : Decadal and annual population growth in the neighbouring regions and Kolkata Metropolitan Area Source: BMC Website and Census data

New Town, is also a surrounding planned development, but could not be taken for this analysis, as population figures for 2001 are unavailable, as it had not been formed during that time.

4.1.1.3 Demography for Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) Comparing with the demographic growth for the KMA, the average decadal and annual growth in population in both the wards 27 and 28 is significantly higher than KMA. While the growth rate in the study region is a staggering 136%, the growth rate in KMA is only 7%. This can be accounted to certain reasons – -

Huge range of diversity within the KMA,

Increase in Census towns,

Economic stagnation in Kolkata – reduction of industries. 45

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.1.2 Demographic analysis in terms of population density 4.1.2.1 Study region – Ward level and mouza level There is a substantial amount of increase in population density within the study region, especially in ward 28, where the population density has nearly multiplied 4 times of its 2011 figure. In ward 27, there is been a slightly lower increase in population density between 2001 and 2011. On the whole, for the entire study region, the population density has multiplied by approximately 2.4 times (considerably increased from approximately 6500 persons per square kilometre to approximately 15400 persons per square kilometre). Ward No.

27 (Previously Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat)

Population Population density in 2001 density in 2011 (persons/sq.km) (persons/sq.km)

Mouzas

Area (sq. km.)

2001

2011

Thakdari Mahishgot Tarulia Total

0.55 0.19 0.47

3114 3607 2973 9694

4247 7224 4278 15749

5661.8 18984.2 6325.5 8011.6

7721.8 38021.1 9102.1 13015.7

5038

19148

4752.8

18064.2

1.06

5038

19148

4752.8

18064.2

2.27

14732

34897

6489.9

15373.1

28 (Previously Ward 1 of Bidhannagar Municipality pre2015)

Nayapatti Mahishbathan Polenite Total

Study region

Total

1.21 0.28 0.5 0.28

Table 4.3 : Population density in the study region Source: BMC Website and Census data

4.1.2.2 Neighbouring regions – Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipality & Salt Lake In the vicinity, Rajarhat Gopalpur, was always known to be a dense region because of dense localities like Lake Town, Baguihati and VIP Road. This fact is now statistically proven through the fact that it has the highest population density in the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, as of 2011 statistics. The population density here is even higher than the entire study region, but it is similar when compared with ward 28 only. Even though the population density in Rajarhat Gopalpur is highest in BMC, the rise in population density is maximum in the study region (2.4 times for the study region as compared to 1.5 times for Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality). Also, the highly planned satellite township of Salt Lake has a population density of nearly 15000 persons per square kilometre. In terms of the rise in population density, there has definitely been a rise in population density, but this rise has not been as staggering as compared to the study region.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Lev el

Region

2001 population

2011 population

22.25

2,71,824

4,02,844

12216.8

18105.3

11.31

1,28,374

1,68,427

11350.5

14891.9

1,32,10,000

1,41,12,536

7135.1

7479.3

Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality Planned developments in the vicinity Bidhannagar / Salt Lake

Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA)

4 Municipal Corporations + 38 municipalities + Panchayat Areas

Population Population density in 2001 density in 2011 (persons/sq.km) (persons/sq.km)

Area (sq. km.)

1851.41 1886.87

Table 4.4 : Population density in the neighbouring regions and in the KMA Source: BMC Website and Census data

4.1.2.3 Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) However, on a broader picture, the population density of the urban areas, at the KMA level, has just narrowly increased. This shows that the study region, and the surrounding regions in BMC, have a higher population density with respect to the other regions of the KMA. The considerably lower population density of the overall urban regions of KMA, can be because of the fact that the other urban centres within the KMA barring Kolkata, which is a prominent example of a primate city, are not at all populated and considerably less dense. Also, Kolkata being one of the primary economic generators within the KMA, has a lot of people who migrate here for jobs and for better living opportunities.

4.2 Spatial changes Assessing the growth of the study region through spatial growth The built-up transformation in the surrounding developments and the study region, can be analysed through satellite data (Google Earth) through time (2005 to present) to understand densification. This spatial analysis has been done by visual and observational methods at two levels. At the macro scale, first, we check the spatial growth for the entire region, surroundings like Salt Lake and New Town, to show how this region has developed physically and spatially through time.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.2.1 Spatial growth at the macro-level

Figure 4.3 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2005 Source: Google Earth

2005: At the macro-level, the study region, highlighted in yellow, is dense in Tarulia and Nayapatti, whereas the rest of the study region is comparatively filled with green cover. In the surrounding regions, the adjacent region of New Town has acres of vacant land with plots marked for future development. Salt Lake, which was a planned township in the 1960s, is similar as previous times. Meanwhile, towards the south-west of the study region, as visible from this 2005 satellite imagery, there are sporadic but planned existing developments.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.4 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2011 Source: Google Earth

2011: In 2011, as visible from the satellite imagery shown below, New Town has undergone maximum transformation. The region which was once entirely vacant and green in the early 2000s, was going through the phase of plotted developments in 2011. Meanwhile, as visually evident from the figures, within the study region, there has also been immense increase in the built up area. Also, there has been an increase in the built up area in Sector V, which was considerably vacant in 2005. In 2006, Sector V was formally renamed as NDITA or Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, which has already been explained in the historical documentation part earlier. The establishment of NDITA in 2006 has driven more developments predominantly in the IT sector in this region. 2017: The period from 2011 to 2017 witnessed the maximum rise in spatial growth. New Town was the region which undergone maximum transformation. New Town has developed itself from scratch into an entirely new township, during this 12 year phase from 2005 to 2017. Also, rapid developments are visible throughout the study region, which will be dealt at in greater details in the forthcoming sections. Also, Sector V or NDITA, which was formally established in 2006, has now fully developed as a planned industrial township in this region. When seen at a macro level, the East Kolkata Wetlands have also shown a shocking trend as far as environment is concerned. Popping up of vacant lands and kutcha settlements within the bhery regions, has been 49

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

witnessed predominantly in the last two phases shown above. However, on the larger aspect, only New Town has shown massive transformations spatially.

Figure 4.5 : The study region (highlighted in yellow) with surroundings in 2017 Source: Google Earth

4.2.2 Spatial growth at the mouza level At the study region, at the mouza level, the assessment for spatial growth has been done specifically for the most populated mouzas – Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite, all of which co-incidentally fall in ward 28. There are specifically two reasons for spatially demonstrating these mouzas. These reasons can be explained as follows: -

Firstly, all these three mouzas have experienced the highest population growth from 2001 to 2011 (280% decadal growth and 14.3% annual growth, as statistically shown in demographic analysis earlier).

Additionally, all of these mouzas have undergone enormous physical transformation during the given time frame, specifically highlighting the years 2005, 2011 and 2017 respectively. 50

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.6 : The 3 mouzas for which spatial growth is shown at the mouza level, from left, Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite Source: Google Maps, Representation primary

4.2.2.1 Polenite Among the 3 mouzas highlighted above, the reason for showing the spatial growth of Polenite, is because it has undergone the most transformation among the mouzas. Polenite was one of the only mouzas, which had predominance of rural characteristics within its administrative boundary.

Figure 4.7 : Polenite mouza during 2005 – typical rural characteristics in peri-urban setting Source: Google Earth

2005: Polenite in 2005, was a vacant land under the Bidhannagar Municipality, having green cover in abundance. As it is located so close to the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), Polenite became a residing place for people who were involved in fishing based 51

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

activities like making fishing nets, catching fish or even actvities like pisiculture. Among all the mouzas in the entire study region, it can be clearly observed visually in 2005 tha Polenite had absolute village characteristics with Kutcha Road and high percentage of greencover and vacant land. This can be attributed to the fact that its proximity to the wetlands, drove the occupational characteristics solely towards agricultural activities like farming and fishing.

Figure 4.8 : Polenite mouza during 2011 – decrease in rural characteristics, new urbanisation patterns Source: Google Earth

2011: The phase from 2005 to 2011 saw a lot of developments occurring in Polenite, most notably, the initiation of new projects in the southern regions. The plots were marked for the forthcoming developments. However, there was no attempts to improve the kutcha road located on the western edge. Along the Keshtopur canal, there was an increase in the number of settlements. Even though the number of settlements did not multiply as rapidly as Mahishbathan, there was a considerable increase in the number of settlements. However, a chunk of the central region in Polenite mouza, still remained largely vacant without any traces in development. 2017: Post 2011 to present day in 2017, Polenite experienced major developments. Firstly, the road which was a kutcha village road made way for paved tar roads. This was predominantly done to cater to the new highrises coming up in Polenite. In the 52

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

southern region of Polenite, major high-rises and high end projects like Ideal Aqua Heights and Panache, which are G+22 storeys high have sprang up. In terms of settlements, in the northern parts, there has been an increase in the number of settlements along the canal front and also in the mid regions.

Figure 4.9 : Polenite mouza during 2017 – rapid urbanisation throughout the mouza Source: Google Earth

Polenite, in true sense, is region which showcases enormous diversity. This can be attributed solely to the diversity in building typologies throughout the mouza. Along the Keshtopur canal, there is predominance of kutcha and semi-pakka housing, with tin or tiled roof and brick / cemented walls, as pictorially represented below. Moreover, the condition of the people living on the canal front is extremely vulnerable, as the land belongs to the irrigation department (canal land) and these people have encroached this land without any official documents. In the central regions of the Polenite mouza, the land is more privatised compared to the canal front, with people owning the land or inheriting the land from their forefathers. There is a predominance of pakka housing (which is generally 2 to 3 storeys high. Additionally, there are few traces of semi pakka also in the central regions. However, the southern region is extremely diverse from the remainder of the mouza and remainder of the study region, as it has highrises like Ideal

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Heights and Panache which are G+20 storeys. These highrises are characteristic of the new developments taking place in the nearby planned township of New Town and Sector V, where high rises are becoming very common presently. The intermingling of rural and urban characteristics within the study region, in kutcha un-serviced housing to infrastructural developments in new age high-rises explains this massive diversity.

Figure 4.10 : Massive diversity among the built form patterns in Polenite – Kachha housing along the canal-front (top L), Pakka G+2 housing (top R) in the interiors and Panache highrise (above). Source: Primary

4.2.2.2 Mahishbathan 2005: During 2005, there had been extreme amounts of vacant green land within its boundary area. In addition, the canal land adjacent to the canal-front was largely vacant. There were an insignificant number of settlements located at the canal-front during this time. In the remainder of Mahishbathan area, there were settlements in certain patches only. 54

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.11 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2005 – vacant land along the canal-front, high percentage of green cover Source: Google Earth

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.12 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2011 – increase in settlements along the canal-front, vacant land along converted to settlements throughout the rest of the mouza Source: Google Earth

2011: In 2011, meanwhile, a large portion of this green cover got converted into settlements. Also, the land along the canal-front, which was earlier vacant land completely got transformed. From the period 2005 to 2011, this region got converted into a densified region comprising predominantly of Kutcha and Semi Pakka housing typology. Along the interior regions, there was more number of pakka houses that came up, and thus the vacant lands got converted into built up areas. 56

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

2017: During the final phase from 2011 to 2017, there was a further increase in the number of settlements along the interior regions and also along the canal front. This extreme densification in Mahishbathan can be related to the demographic trends shown earlier, where it was seen that Mahishbathan witnessed the maximum population growth and had the highest population density in the study region. The land along the canal front belongs to the Irrigation department, but after 2006/07, after both NDITA and New Town, were both in their developing stages, people started to flock along the canal front, encroaching informally, without any official documents.

Figure 4.13 : Mahishbathan mouza during 2017 – tremendous increase in settlements throughout Mahishbathan mouza Source: Google Earth

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.14 : Kutcha and Semi-Pakka housing along the canal-front and Pakka housing (G+2/3 along the interiors on private serviced land) Source: Primary

Geographically representing the Mahishbathan Mouza, above, it can be explained clearly by sub-dividing its area into 3 zones (shown through black dotted lines), which explains the different typologies through time (2005-2011-2017). In the zone adjacent to the canal-front, which is on a land that is owned by the irrigation department (canal land), there has been enormous rise in the settlements, which has been briefly stated previously. Also, the built up area has excessively increased leading to a decrease in the green cover in Mahishbathan. New structures have come up throughout the administrative area of Mahishbathan mouza. In the mid region, there are sporadic and patchy settlements, which were earlier vacant green cover.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

4.2.2.3 Nayapatti

Figure 4.15 : Nayapatti mouza during 2005 – vacant green spaces and patchy settlements and upcoming transport links Source: Google Earth

2005: Nayapatti has more similarity in characteristics to Mahishbathan mouza than the Polenite mouza. Similar to the other mouzas in ward 28, even for Nayapatti, the land along the Keshtopur canal front, is under the irrigation department. This land was totally vacant green spaces in 2005, having completely no traces of settlements. Along the north-western edge of Nayapatti, the land was also vacant in 2005. The overall area of Nayapatti can be sub divided into 3 different zones, represented here in black dotted lines. The zone closest to the canal-front, had a predominance of kutcha and semi-pakka housing typology in 2005. In the central zone, the housing typology was predominantly pakka and semi-pakka, being present in patches only. In the third part, there was a clear mix between sporadically located pakka housing on the west and vacant green space on the east. In the western part, the region was predominantly vacant land in 2005, having traces of pakka housing. In the eastern part, the construction for the New Town flyover was just initiated, as shown in the map above. This was the only link between Salt Lake to New Town passing through Sector V and the borders of Nayapatti.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Nayapatti mouza during 2011 – rapid densification, up-gradations and operational transport links

Source: Google Earth

2011: The phase from 2005 to 2011 saw a lot of developments in Nayapatti, with most of the regions within the mouza, showing increase in the number of settlements. Along the western edges of the canal front, the land that was lying vacant in 2005, was allocated for the construction of workshops and factories. In the surrounding region, there are upcoming developments which was a vacant land back in 2005. The remainder regions of the Nayapatti mouza saw a densification in terms of the number of settlements. Not only was there new houses getting constructed, many houses were also getting upgraded through time. For example, the kutcha and the semi-pakka near the canal front, which was existing on private land, was upgraded to semi-pakka and pakka respectively. Also, the New Town flyover which was getting constructed during 2005, became fully operational during this time period.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.16 : Nayapatti mouza during 2017 – rapid densification, up-gradations and operational transport links Source: Google Earth

2017: The present day situation of this mouza, is that it has experienced extreme densification throughout the mouza. Barring the vacant land plot on the south-east of the mouza, there is a total absence in open spaces, as evident from the geographical representation shown above. This is one of the only mouzas alongside Mahishbathan which has been heavily affected by rapid urbanization, which is demographically and statistically stated earlier. The reason for this rapid urbanization, can be attributed to the fact that Nayapatti is the closest mouza to both Sector V and Salt Lake, which seem to have a heavy influence on Nayapatti and Mahishbathan also. In addition, the New Town flyover is fully operational currently and is one of the busiest connectors in this region, as it is the main link from Salt Lake to Sector V and onwards towards New Town. The developed transport link and abundance of transportation options have also to an extent spurred up the urbanization and densification in Nayapatti.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 4.17 : (Left) Extreme densification along the canal front, (Mid) Nayapatti ground is one of the only open spaces, (Right) Mix of Semi-pakka and Pakka. Source: Primary

4.3 Summary of objective 2 - Correlating between spatial and demographic growth patterns The correlation between the spatial and the demographic growth patterns, can be shown in 2 phases, which have been represented previously. The first phase is the pre-2011 phase, since population statistics are available from 2001 to 2011, and spatial growth patterns are available from 2005 to 2011. The developments and transformations, both demographically and spatially, for the post-2011 phase have also been listed, as 2011 was a census year, and the availability of new census data allowed for understanding the demographic characteristics to a greater extent.

4.3.1 Pre-2011 phase There are many reasons why major transformations took place in the study region, during this phase, where both there was an increase in population, density as well as an increase in the built up area. These reasons can be attributed as follows: -

New Town: This was the formative years of the New Town region, especially after the formation of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority, which looked to improve the planning situation in New Town. The creation of New Town, was responsible for creating ancillary jobs for people, especially working as daily labourers in homes. On one hand, there was new housing construction done to cater to new population to live in New Town. On the other hand, new housing units were constructed and up-gradations in the existing units, were also done. These developments in the study region were done simultaneously 62

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

alongside New Town. These developments were done as there was a need to cater to the growing population, especially along the canal front and in the interior regions of the mouzas.

Figure 4.18 : Upcoming developments in New Town also influenced Mahishgot (caused an increase in the built-up of Mahishgot 2005-2011-2017) – Another instance of how demographic and spatial growth happened, as Mahishgot’s population doubled from 2001 to 2011 (3607 to 7224). Source: Google Earth

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Aila cyclone in 2009:

Figure 4.19 : Densification taking place along the canal-front (especially in Mahishbathan after 2009 Aila Cyclone) between 2005-2011-2017 – Primary instance of both demographic and spatial growth in the study region. Source: Google Earth

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

As heard from the informal interviews at the early stages of the thesis programme, it was known that the Cyclone Aila, in May 2009, had an impact on the study region. A large number of people, predominantly in South Bengal and Bangladesh, who were left homeless due to this deadly cyclone, came to Kolkata in search of any space to squat upon. There were 2 reasons why many people came and lived in this region. Firstly, since this region was close to the wetlands, where there was opportunities for the people to get involved in agrarian occupation later on. Also, since the land beside the canal front was high lying land, this region was not affected gravely due to the cyclone. There was comparatively less flooding in this region as compared to the surroundings. Thus, the inflow of people in the aftermath of this cyclone, led to massive demographic and spatial changes within the study region. -

Trinamool Congress Government in 2011: After the 34 year rule of the earlier state government, Communist Party of India (Marxist), the newly elected Trinamool Congress (TMC) party came up with the assurance to create more jobs in the state. There were a lot of jobs that were created in the surrounding regions, predominantly office jobs (labour and clerical) and also working in the IT industries nearby. A lot of people working in the nearby regions, accommodated themselves in this region.

NDITA / Sector V: Even though Sector V was formed right during the time of Bidhannagar Municipality in 1995, the recognition of Sector V as NDITA improved the overall region to a large extent. NDITA also spurred population rise specifically in ward 28, for providing predominantly rental accommodation to the young IT professionals working in Sector V and in the nearby regions.

4.3.2

Post-2011 phase

In the present phase, post 2011, there has been rapid transformation in the study region. Firstly, at the canal front, there is rapid densification occurring in the last few years. The people staying on canal land, devoid of any land documents, have upgraded their settlements or built new units along the canal front. Even though the fear of getting

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

evicted out from this region, has reduced to a certain extent, there is still some traces of vulnerability amongst the people there. Also, there are many small commercial establishments in this region, which leads to more people working in the shops nearby. The people who come to work, either come from far off regions, or have taken accommodation options in this region. This leads to an increase in the population of the region in the recent past, with more people coming to live here. Also, the reduction in the non-agricultural characteristics in this region, has led to rapid urbanization in this region. This is a totally urbanized scenario now, with jobs predominantly in the urban sphere. These jobs are instrumental enough to attract the people from other regions of the city to this region, which in turn is leading to more number of housing units and more population. Also, as New Town has developed to a greater extent now, and with more people living in New Town, the aspect of creation of ancillary jobs in this region has increased tremendously. The economic inter-dependence between the people living in the study region and in New Town, has increased to a great extent, with increasing occupancy rates in New Town.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

OBJECTIVE 3 – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITHIN THE STUDY REGION

The next objective is to understand the differences within the study region in terms of certain parameters. The parameters include occupational shift, diversity in housing typology and access to infrastructure and transportation characteristics.

The main purpose of this objective is to get analyse all the 6 mouzas in the study region, in wards 27 and 28, based on certain sectors, which have involved certain key aspects. This comparative analysis is done at 2 specific places within the mouza. Firstly, at the Keshtopur canal front and also in the interior regions of the mouzas. A series of focussed group discussions and individual interviews were performed during the period 10th to 17th March 2018. The sectors, on which, these focussed group discussions were done, were as follows – -

Occupational shift,

Diversity in housing typology,

Service levels / Access to infrastructure,

Transportation linkages.

During the visit to the study region, the mouzas of ward 28 – Polenite, Mahishbathan and Nayapatti, were first visited. After that, the mouzas on the other side of the Keshtopur canal – Tarulia, Mahishgot and Thakdari, were visited. Therefore, the forthcoming analysis has been documented as per the aspects with respect to the mouzas.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Locating the stretches and spots for the focussed group discussions:

Figure 5.1 : Map showing the locations for the focussed group discussions Source: Google Earth, Representation primary

Table 5.1 : Table showing the stretches for the FGDs and the groups available for the FGDs

Source: Primary (Focussed group discussions)

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

The primary methods followed to attain this objective was the focussed group discussions done within the mouzas. The locations of the focussed group discussions and the number of FGDs done have been pictorially represented above. In addition, the precise locations / stretches for the FGDs within the mouzas have been represented in the table below. The following table shows the stretch name within the mouza, along the canal-front and the interiors. The table also shows the types of groups who were available for the focussed group discussions.

There are some additional aspects related to the FGD process have been noted down as follows 

All the focussed group discussions were done subject to availability of people (at-least 3 people).



In certain places, for example in the interiors of certain mouzas, groups of people were not available for focussed group discussion. In those regions, individual discussions were done and the answers were accumulated.



All the FGDs were done during the dates of 10th March to 17th March 2018.



The timings for these FGDs ranged from mornings to the late afternoon (9am – 4pm) during the above mentioned dates.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.1 Understanding the time frames of the settlements

Figure 5.2 Map showing the time frames for the mouzas Source: Google Earth, Representation primary

Inferences from the time frames of the settlements: •

The canal-front region in both the wards 27 and 28 was vacant land in 2005 . This has also been shown in the spatial growth maps in the previous chapter.

•

Mahishbathan is the oldest mouza in the study region, while Mahishgot has developed most recently in the last 10 to 15 years. Mahishgot’s development has coincided with the time frame of the surrounding planned development, New Town.

•

Thakdari and Mahishgot development at the canal-front almost identical – same time frame, similar land use (shops). In Thakdari, the shops along the canal front are relatively new, while the residential settlements in the interior regions are relatively old.

•

Nayapatti and Mahishbathan at the canal-front settlements established at the same time. In present times, Nayapatti has shown developments owing to the planned industrial township, Sector V, in the vicinity.

•

Polenite is developing along 3 different time frames – Canal-front developing stage, Pakka housing relatively old, Highrises still under construction. Polenite is one of the fastest developing mouzas in the study region, showing enormous 70

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

transformations throughout its administrative area (which has also been shown in the earlier chapter in spatial growth patterns).

5.2 Understanding the occupational shifts 5.2.1

Polenite (Ward 28) Aspects

Previous occupation

Polenite (Ward 28) On the Keshtopur canal-front

Interiors

Fishing in bheris, agriculture

Previous workplace

Sunderban (farming), Bakkhali, Lakhhikantapur, East Kolkata Wetlands and the region which is Jaynagar, Sonarpur, fishing in the other mouzas in presently New Town New Town (Kochpukur, Hatigacha)

Current occupation

Daily labourers, Peons in offices, small shops (self employed), drivers, fishing (minimal number)

Daily labourers in homes and offices, floating workers, own shops (self employed), business (construction, carpentry, paints), office workers (clerks) to government servants, fishing in bheris (some)

Current workplace

New Town and Balaka Abasan, Salt Lake, Sector V Salt Lake, Sector V, New Town,Dum Dum, (Technopolis, College More), fishing in East Kolkata Ultadanga (outside BMC), fishing in bheris in Wetlands East Kolkata Wetlands

Table 5.2 : Occupational shift in Polenite mouza

Previously, people predominantly worked in the primary sector. Their occupation was mostly farming or fishing. The people currently living on the canal front, earlier lived at other places of West Bengal like Sunderbans, Bakkhali, or at other places in Kolkata, like Sonarpur, or in the other villages of New Town, like Kochpukur, Hatigacha. These people were solely involved in farming and fishing based activities. Clearly there has been an occupational shift, with people currently employed in more in the urban sphere in secondary and tertiary jobs. Also, there is a constant threat to the floating labourers as their job keeps on changing and not permanent. The new location of workplaces include the regions which are dominant in residential and office buildings. Most of the people who work as daily labourers in residences, predominantly go to work at New Town or Salt Lake, and the people working in the labour or clerical class in offices go to work in Sector V. The people who still practice fishing or farming, currently work in the bheries at East Kolkata Wetlands, which is located very close to Polenite mouza. Also, Polenite is the only mouza in the study region, which still has ponds for fishing.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.2.2 Thakdari (Ward 27) Aspects

Thakdari (Ward 27) On the Keshtopur canal-front

Interiors

Previous occupation

Fishing in bheris, agriculture

Previous workplace

East Kolkata Wetlands and the region which is presently New Town

Current occupation

Daily labourers, carpenters, painters, floating daily workers, office workers (sweeper, peon, Daily labourers, carpenters, painters, floating daily watchman to clerk, assistants, office boy, workers etc.), Businesses (construction, furniture shops, etc.)

Current workplace

Predominantly in the residential areas in Salt Lake, New Town

Salt Lake, New Town, Sector V

Table 5.3 : Occupational shift in the Thakdari mouza

Earlier, the main occupation was in the primary sector (predominantly agriculture and fishing) in the nearby bheries in the current New Town Planning Area and East Kolkata Wetlands. Clearly there has been an occupational shift, with people currently employed in more in the urban sphere (secondary and tertiary). Also, in the interiors, the standard of occupation (type of work and income) is much better than the people living along the canal front. The new location of workplaces include the regions which are dominant in residential and office buildings, namely, Salt Lake, New Town and Sector V.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.2.3

Mahishbathan and Nayapatti (Both in Ward 28) Aspects

Mahishbathan (Ward 28) On the Keshtopur canal-front

Interiors

Previous occupation

Most of the workers worked as daily labourers and floating workers in their previous regions. Some people were also involved in fishing and farming in these regions.

A very small percentage of people in fishing and farming. Most of the people were involved in non-agricultural activities in the urban sphere.

Previous workplace

Other regions of Bengal - Bongaon, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, Basirhat, Pandua (Hooghly), Sunderbans; Salt Lake, Keshtopur, mouzas in Rajarhat (Hatiara, Gopalpur, Rekjuani, etc.)

Diverse regions, mostly in the current boundary of BMC, region which is presently New Town and also in the East Kolkata wetlands

Current occupation

Most of the people living here work as daily labourers in people's homes or work in the labour class in the nearby offices. People also have their own shops (grocery/confectionary/flower seller), also there are certain people who are drivers (auto-rickshaw, van, cycle-rickshaw, toto, private vehicles etc.)

People mostly work in the nearby offices as either labour class/clerical staff or other low paid jobs. There are people who have their own shops in Mahishbathan or the surrounding Mouzas or New Town.

Current workplace

Predominantly in Salt Lake, New Town, NDITA, Baguihati, Hanapara, Lake Town and Dum Dum..

New Town, Sector V, Mouzas in the study region, neighbouring blocks in Salt Lake.

Table 5.4 : Occupational shift in Mahishbathan Aspects

Nayapatti (Ward 28) On the Keshtopur canal-front

Interiors

Previous occupation

A very small percentage of people in fishing Small number of people were involved in fishing in and farming. Most of the people were bheris and farming (agriculture). Most of the people involved in non-agricultural activities in the though worked as labourers and floating workers. urban sphere.

Previous workplace

East Kolkata Wetlands and the region which is Diverse regions, mostly in the current presently New Town. Some of them even worked at boundary of BMC, region which is presently Sunderbans and surrounding regions in South New Town and also in the East Kolkata Bengal-Orissa border. wetlands

Current occupation

Most of these people, work currently as daily labourers, carpenters, painting, construction workers, plumbers, drivers (auto-rickshaw, van, cycle-rickshaw, toto, private vehicles etc.), self employment (people owning small grocery/stationery/confectionary shops in their homes/nearby areas).

Shop owners, people renting out the ground floor of their homes for shops, people working in offices as unskilled or clerical workers, daily labourers and floating workers (small proportion of people working in homes and working as labourers in construction sites), young people working in Sector V (living in rented units)

Current workplace

Predominantly in Salt Lake (AL, BK), New Town, Ultadanga, Baguihati.

Salt Lake, NDITA, New Town, Hanapara (Ward 26 of BMC), Baguihati.

Table 5.5 : Occupational shift in Nayapatti

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Mahishbathan and Nayapatti are two mouzas, which show similar trends in occupation in the past and present. These are the two mouzas, where even though there was agricultural activities and fishing activities, a lot of people were also involved in nonagricultural activities. The people living here, worked in diverse regions, which are currently within the BMC and New Town, and also in the EKW. Currently the people work as daily labourers and floating labourers. The regions where people go for work is unanimously in the planned regions of New Town, Sector V and parts of Salt Lake. A lot of people also earn their livelihood by working at Nayapatti market, which is the main market in the region, and within the mouzas, in small shops, grocery and confectionary. Also, in terms of quality of work, there is an up-gradation, as we move towards the interior regions from the canal front.

5.2.4 Tarulia (Ward 27) Aspects

Tarulia - Sukantapalli Keshtopur On the Keshtopur canal-front

(Ward 27) Interiors

Previous occupation

Fishing in bheris, agriculture

Previous workplace

Central Bengal (Murshidabad, Jangipur, Lalgola, Malda and other surrounding regions), fishing in the other mouzas in New Town (Kochpukur, Hatigacha), some of them also lived and worked in regions like Rajshahi and Khulna in Bangladesh.

Fishing in the earlier regions East Kolkata Wetlands and the region which is presently New Town

Current occupation

Most of these people work currently as daily labourers, construction workers, plumbers, working Predominantly shop owners (grocery shops in offices as labour class (peon, sweeper and and other daily use stores at Nayapatti market housekeeping jobs), drivers (auto-rickshaw, van, and Hanapara), office workers in labour class cycle-rickshaw, toto, private vehicles etc.), self and clerical workers, some also work as daily employment (people owning small labourers in New Town. grocery/stationery/confectionary shops in their homes/nearby areas).

Current workplace

Predominantly in Salt Lake, New Town, NDITA, Baguihati, Hanapara.

Predominantly in Salt Lake, New Town, Dum Dum, shops at Nayapatti market.

Table 5.6 : Occupational shift in Tarulia

Most of the people currently residing here, lived in other parts of WB or came here from regions like Khulna and Rajshahi in Bangladesh. The people living here, earlier worked in agricultural activities in the nearby bheri regions. But as Tarulia is far away

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

from the wetlands or Polenite, the current number of people who are involved in agricultural activities like farming or fishing is much less. Currently, people are working mostly in the nearby regions, as daily labourers in New Town, or working in offices as labour class (peon, sweepers and other housekeeping jobs) in Sector V and in the regions of Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality like Baguihati and Hanapara. A lot of people living in Tarulia also go to Nayapatti, on the other side of the canal for work. A lot of people have small shops, at the Nayapatti market, which is one of the biggest markets in this region. A very few people also go to work outside the BMC, in places like Dum Dum municipality.

5.2.5

Mahishgot (Ward 27) Aspects

Mahishgot (Ward 27) On the Keshtopur canal-front

Interiors

Previous occupation

Fishing in bheris, agriculture

Previous workplace

East Kolkata Wetlands and the region which is presently New Town

Current occupation

Daily labourers, floating daily workers, people are also self employed in their shops along the canal front (plywood, marble and furniture shops).

Most of the people work as daily labourers, floating daily workers (carpenters, painting, etc.), government servants to office workers (sweeper, peon, watchman to clerk, assistants, office boy, etc.), Businesses (construction, furniture shops, etc.)

Current workplace

Predominantly in the residential areas in New Town.

Most of the people working as daily labourers predominantly work in New Town, because of its close proximity. Also Sector V generates jobs to the office workers

Table 5.7 : Occupational shift in Mahishgot

Earlier, the people in Mahishgot used to work in the primary sector. Their occupation was predominantly agrarian and fishing, in the nearby Bheries. Clearly there has been an occupational shift, with people currently employed in more in the urban sphere (secondary and tertiary).Also, in the interiors, the standard of occupation (type of work and income) is much better than the people living along the canal front.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Inferences from occupational shift: -

Polenite and Thakdari were earlier completely agriculture and fishing based in terms of occupation, because of proximity to the bheries in the East Kolkata Wetlands. Now even though the people in these mouzas have predominantly shifted to secondary and tertiary, there are still traces of fishing ponds in Polenite.

For Nayapatti and Mahishbathan, the far Distance from the bheries affects the occupational patterns in the region. This distance has caused the predominance of non-agricultural activities in these mouzas. Also, In terms of quality of work, there is an upgradation, as we move towards the interior regions from the canal front.

As Tarulia is far away from the East Kolkata Wetlands and Polenite, the current number of people involved in agricultural activities (farming/fishing) is the least in this mouza.

5.3 Understanding the diversity in terms of housing typology 5.3.1 Mahishbathan (Ward 28)

Water supply

Presence of both individual and community tubewells, Every house has individual water connection, water 3 times a day from BMC, drinking water bought where water comes thrice a day. Drinking from other sources . water is bought from other sources.

Garbage collection

Garbage is mostly disposed off to the canal-front. Very rarely people go to dump waste at the dump site, which is far from here, in Nayapatti.

BMC Truck comes to collect waste 2-3 times a day. In some regions, there is locality wise collection as well, where wheelbarrows/trolleys are used.

Drainage (waterlogging)

No waterlogging, drainage is very good, water seeps down to the canal.

There is waterlogging in some regions only during heavy rains, but due to good drainage, waterlogging does not pertain for a long time.

Toilets

There is an equal mix of individual and shared toilets at Most of the toilets are individual. Community the canal front. These toilets are self financed by the toilets provided by the government are residents, who come together and contribute for present in Nayapatti. building the toiets.

Table 5.8 : Housing diversity in Mahishbathan

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Land ownership: In terms of land ownership, most of the land in the interiors is private land and has either been bought or inherited. Along the canal front, the land belongs to the irrigation department and is canal land. Most of the houses along the interiors have been inherited by the current generations, which were built on private land in the 1960s. Also, a lot of houses in the interiors have been bought by people coming here from other regions. Housing typology: Along the canal-front the predominant housing typology is Kutcha and Semi Pakka. In the interior regions, the main typology is Pakka housing (G+1/2/3/4), which is built on private land from 1960s. Tax payment: Along the canal-front, no tax is paid, as the people there do not own the land. But, in the interior regions, the residents pay tax as the land is also owned by them. Land use: The general land use throughout Mahishbathan is predominantly residential, with many homes having shops in the ground floor, which provides additional selfemployment. Home ownership: Along the canal-front, on the canal land, the people living have no governmental proof of residence. In the interior regions, the units are mostly selfowned. In addition, there are many instances of rental housing. Rental housing is a secondary source of income. The rents increase with proximity to Technopolis (Sector V).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.3.2 Nayapatti (Ward 28) The settlements along the canalfront, came up in Most of the housing here is approx. 40-45 the last 10-15 years. On the other side of the road, years old. Many houses have been upgraded Timeline / Establishment the houses have been here for approximately 40-45 (addition of floors) in the recent past, and years. many new constructions are also coming up.

Predominant housing typology

Along the canalfront, there is a predominance of Kachha and semi-pakka housing. Also, there is Pakka housing, but in very few numbers.

Most of the housing is Pakka (G+2 to G+4 predominantly).

Land ownership

Land along the Keshtopur Canal-front belongs to the Irrigation department (canal land).

Most of the land in the interior regions is private land.

Land use (general)

Predominantly residential, but very few homes have shops (grocery and confectionary) in the ground floor.

Highly mixed - the ground floors of most of the houses are shops, the upper floors are residences.

Affordability (Owned / rented)

Mix of owned and rentals. Rents start from Self owned (bought or built by self financing). No 1500-2000 a month to even 4500-5000 a governmental evidence of home ownership (highly month. This rent increases with proximity to vulnerable). No rental units. Sector V (Technopolis building can be seen from the terraces in the buildings here).

Table 5.9 : Housing diversity in Nayapatti

In terms of land ownership, housing typology and tax payment details, Nayapatti is similar to Mahishbathan. Land Use: In the interior regions of the mouzas, the land use is generally mixed land use. The shops in the ground floor are also given as rents by the owners, who live in the upper floors. Most of the shops here are clothes shops, confectionaries, electric shops or even salons and parlours. Home ownership: Along the canal-front, the people living there are encroaching on canal land, and have no governmental proof of residence. Rental accommodation is very prevalent in the interior regions of Nayapatti. By renting out, the owners have these rentals as a very profitable secondary source of income. Most of the young IT professionals who work in Sector V prefer to live here in the rental units (1BHK/2BHK) because of the cheap rents and proximity (walking distance) to Sector V. The rents range between Rs 1500-2000 a month and go upto Rs 4000-5000 a month. The rent increases with proximity to Sector V.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.3.3

Polenite (Ward 28)

Timeline / Establishment

Most of the settlements along the canalfront sprang up in the last 5-10 years.

Most of the housing here is atleast 25-30 years old or even more. However many houses have been upgraded (addition of floors) in the recent past.

Predominant housing typology

Kachha and Semi Pakka, with very few Pakka housing along the canalfront.

Predominantly Pakka housing ranging from G+1 to G+4, some instances of semi-pakka are also present. The Panache towers (G+20) is an outlier case in this setting.

Land ownership

Land along the Keshtopur Canal-front belongs to the Irrigation department (canal land).

Most of the land in the interior regions is private land.

Land use (general)

Predominantly residential, very few homes have shops (grocery and confectionary) in the ground floor.

Affordability (Owned / rented)

Self owned (bought or built by self financing). No Mostly self-owned. There are many instances governmental evidence of home ownership (highly of rentals in the pakka housing. vulnerable)

Table 5.10 : Housing diversity in Polenite

In the canal-front, which is a canal land, most of the houses have come up in the last decade. The canal land has mostly Kutcha and semi-pakka houses with very few pakka houses. In the interiors, however, the units are around 25-30 years old. Since, in the interior regions, these units are constructed on private land, up-gradation is done at the owners will and no regulations are ever followed in this matter. Polenite is one of the rare mouzas which has a co-existence of all housing typologies throughout the mouza area. The greatest outlier in this mouza is the presence of G+20 storeyed towers, Panache and Ideal Aqua Heights, which are located in the southern regions of Polenite. In the central regions of Polenite, the general land use is predominantly residential, with very few houses having confectionary and grocery shops on the ground floor. In these regions, most of the houses are self-owned, with many instances of rentals in these pakka housing. The owners have rentals as a secondary source of income. However, along the canal-front, there are no instances of rental housing, as the people, who themselves live there have no governmental proof of residence.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.3.4 Tarulia (Ward 27) Land Ownership: Along the canal front, the land belongs to the irrigation dept. (mixed), along the interiors, mostly private land. Timeline / Establishment

Most of the settlements along the canalfront, came up in the last 10-15 years.

Along the interiors, the houses are 30-35 years old, approximately.

Predominant housing typology

Mostly semi-pakka, there are very few kachha settlements along the canal front.

Mix of Pakka and semi pakka.

Land ownership

Land along the Keshtopur Canal-front belongs to the Irrigation department (canal land). However, some lands on the other side of the road, is private land.

Land is predominantly private land which is either bought or inherited.

Land use (general)

Predominantly residential, some have shops along with the residences.

Mixed - residential and shops in the ground floors.

Affordability (Owned / rented)

Most are self owned (bought or built by self financing). Very few are rented.

Mix of owned and rentals. Rents for the units range from 1500-2000 a month.

Table 5.11 : Housing diversity in Tarulia

The shops along the canal-front are mostly daily use shops or shops selling flowers and religious items. In the interiors, rentals is a very profitable secondary source of income. The rent depends on – -

the quality of the unit,

size of the unit (1BHK/2BHK), and

Location of the unit (proximity to Salt Lake and NDITA implies higher rents).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.3.5

Mahishgot (Ward 27)

Timeline / Establishment

The newer pakka buildings (flats) came up in Most of the settlements (shops and residences) on the last 10-12 years. However, the old pakka the canal front came up in the last 5-10 years. buildings have been here for 40-50 years, and have been upgraded through time.

Predominant housing typology

Housing is predominantly pakka/semi pakka The shops are predominantly kachha and semi(ranging from G+1 to G+4). There are new pakka. Most of the houses along the canal front are buildings (flats) which have resemblance to one room tin roof houses. New Town. Also, there are new constructions taking place in the interior regions.

Land ownership

Land along the Keshtopur Canal-front belongs to the Irrigation department (canal land).

Most of the land in the interior regions is private land.

Land use (general)

Predominance of shops along the canalfront (most of the shops sell plywood/marble/tiles), residential settlements also existing, but are lesser in number.

Predominantly residential, very few shops (grocery and confectionary).

Affordability (Owned / rented)

Self owned (bought or built by self financing). No governmental evidence of home ownership. The shops have also been bought or rented.

Mostly self-owned. There are many instances of rentals in the pakka housing.

Table 5.12 : Housing diversity in Mahishgot

Similar to other mouzas in this region, the upgradation of pakka houses in the interiors are possible at the owners will and no regulations are followed in this matter. Mahishgot and Thakdari are the only mouzas in the study areas, which have more number of shops than residences along the canal front. However, in the interiors, it is predominantly residential pakka housing. In the interiors, rentals is a very profitable secondary source of income.The average rent in Mahishgot is approximately between INR 1500-2500 per month. The rent depends on the quality of the house.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.3.6 Thakdari (Ward 28) Most of the settlements on the canal front came up in the last 7-8 years

Most of the housing here is atleast 40-50 years old. Upgradations (addition of floors) have been made through time.

Predominant housing typology

The shops are predominantly semi-pakka

Housing is predominantly pakka/semi pakka (ranging from G+1 to G+4). Rare instance (outlier case) of a glass building (shown in picture).

Land ownership

Land along the Keshtopur Canal-front belongs to the Irrigation department (canal land).

Most of the land in the interior regions is private land.

Land use (general)

Predominance of shops along the canalfront (most of the shops sell plywood/marble/tiles), residential settlements also existing, but are lesser in number.

Predominantly residential, few shops.

Timeline / Establishment

Affordability (Owned / rented)

Self owned (bought or built by self financing). No Mostly self-owned. There are many instances governmental evidence of home ownership (highly of rentals in the pakka housing. vulnerable)

Table 5.13 : Housing diversity in Thakdari

Similar to Polenite, the upgradation of pakka houses in the interiors are possible at the owners will and no regulations are followed in this matter. Thakdari and Mahishgot are the only mouzas in the study areas, which have more number of shops than residences along the canal front. However, in the interiors, it is predominantly residential pakka housing. Rentals is a very profitable secondary source of income. The average rent in Thakdai is approximately between INR 1500-2000 per month.

How the housing characteristics in the study region have changed / improved over time: -

Up-gradations in housing – More floors are added due to absence of regulations in this region. This leads to more improved conditions, in the sense that it provides more comfort within the house. The new floors getting added over time are mostly in the interior regions (private lands) of the mouzas. Also, external improvements are also done along the canal front.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 5.3 : Up-gradations in housing done in the study region Source: Primary

New constructions coming up at rapid rates in the interior regions.

Figure 5.4 : New constructions in the study region Source: Primary

Rental housing in the study region – Most prevalent in the interior regions of Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Mahishgot (due to proximity to NDITA and New Town respectively).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 5.5 : (Left) An instance of an entire building being rented out in Nayapatti, (Right) Proximity to Technopolis implies higher rents Source: Primary

Influence of New Town promoting highrises and G+4 buildings in the surroundings (Mahishgot)

Figure 5.6 : Buildings in New Town (left) influencing buildings in the study region (centre and right) Source: Primary

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.4 Access to infrastructure 5.4.1 -

Water Supply Nayapatti (Ward 28): In Nayapatti, water for daily consumption is available through timekol (from BMC) and tubewells. In terms of drinking water, there is a lack of availability of drinking water during certain times of the year which poses serious issues. Also, there are shops selling through large water containers. Overall, Nayapatti faces serious issues in terms of drinking water.

Mahishbathan (Ward 28): In Mahishbathan, the water for daily consumption is available from tubewells (ground water). There is a limited scope of surface water (BMC tankers). The water from tubewells is time based (2 to 3 times a day). In terms of drinking water, the lack of availability of drinking water poses serious issues. There are shops selling drinking water in large drums. Overall, Mahishbathan also faces serious issues in terms of drinking water.

Polenite (Ward 28): Similar to the previous mouzas, even here the water for daily consumption, is available from the tubewells (ground water). There is a limited scope of surface water (BMC tankers). Also, the water from tubewell is time based (2-3 times a day). The drinking water is mostly bought from other sources. Polenite faces issues sometimes, in terms of drinking water, but the issues here are not as severe as Nayapatti or Mahishbathan.

Tarulia (Ward 27): The water from BMC comes thrice a day (timekol). Some regions in the interiors also avail benefits of NKDA tankers for drinking water. Therefore, due to the influence of New Town (NKDA tankers), the water supply situation in Tarulia is very good.

Mahishgot (Ward 27): Most of the houses have individual and community tubewells. Also, they avail benefits of NKDA tankers for drinking water. Again here, similar to Tarulia’s case, due to the influence of New Town (NKDA tankers), the water supply situation in Mahishgot is very good.

Thakdari (Ward 27): In Thakdari, the water is obtained predominantly from tubewells and timekol. Most of the houses have tubewells and tap water.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

On the overall, Ward 27 is in a better condition in terms of water supply as compared to ward 28, solely due to the influence of the nearby planned township, New Town.

5.4.2 Ward No.

Garbage collection Mode of disposal/collection Mouza name

Disposed at the canalfront

Community dumping

BMC trolleys

Nayapatti

Tendency of people liv ing near the canal front to dump their w aste.

Mostly done, presence of bins near Nayapatti market.

Mahishbathan

Mostly disposed off at the canalfront.

No - there is an absence of bins nearby

Polenite

Rarely disposed at the canalfront.

Main form of w aste collection

I n some regions only

Tarulia

Mostly disposed off at the canalfront.

Main form of w aste collection

Mahishgot

No disposal at the canal-front

Main form of w aste collection (BMC and NKDA bins both in close proximity).

Door to door collection also takes place in the interior regions

Thakdari

No disposal at the canal-front

Main form of w aste collection

Door to door collection also takes place in the interior regions

Table 5.14 : Table showing modes of garbage collection in the mouzas Source: Primary (Focussed group discussions)

Figure 5.7 : Garbage disposed at the canal-front and the community dump and the BMC trolleys to collect the waste (right) Source: Primary

Thus, through the FGDs, the following findings were obtained in terms of waste collection – 

Nayapatti: Faces moderate issues, solely due to the garbage dumped on the canal-front;



Mahishbathan: Faces severe issues in terms of garbage collection;



Polenite: One of the most effective mouzas in terms of garbage collection; 86

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



Tarulia: Apart from the canal-front area, there is no issue in terms of waste disposal in Tarulia;



Mahishgot: Highly effective in terms of garbage collection;



Thakdari: One of the most effective mouzas in terms of garbage collection.

Thus, in terms of waste collection, Mahishbathan and Nayapatti in Ward 28 face severe issues. On the other hand, Mahishgot is the most effective in terms of waste collection, solely due to the influence of New Town in the vicinity.

5.4.3 -

Toilets Nayapatti and Mahishbathan (Ward 28): Along the canal front there are mostly shared toilets, have been collectively built by 3-4 families. In the interior regions, the toilets are mostly individual. There is a scope of improvement of the toilets along the canal front (Toilets getting integrated with units)

Figure 5.8 : Shared toilets along the canal front in ward 28 in Nayapatti and Mahishbathan Source: Primary

Polenite (Ward 28): Most of the shared and individual toilets along the canal front are self-financed. These were either built by individuals or a group of families. However, along the interior regions, the toilets are predominantly individual and built along with the people’s homes. In Polenite, overall, the toilets are in good condition.

Tarulia and Mahishgot (Ward 27): Along the canal front, there are a few shared toilets. However, there is a predominance of individual toilets throughout the mouza. Also, due to the proximity to New Town, the community toilets in

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

New Town are also being used by people from Mahishgot. Therefore, in these 2 mouzas, the toilets are in very good condition.

Thakdari (Ward 27): Most of the individual toilets along the canal front are self-financed, by individuals or families. Also, along the interiors, the provision of toilets by the govt. is upgraded and improved by the individuals themselves, by self-financed methods. Thus, overall, the situation here is in good condition, because there is less dependence on community toilets.

5.4.4 Drainage / Waterlogging / Flooding Drainage / Waterlogging / Flooding

Mouza name Canalfront

I nteriors

Nayapatti

Very good drainage. Most of the rainwater seeps down to the canal during monsoons.

There is no flooding anywhere in the interiors as the drainage system is v ery good and water directly seeps down to the Keshtopur canal. Also the interiors are high lying areas, therefore no flooding. Also drains are closed (no foul smell from drains).

Mahishbathan

No waterlogging, drainage is v ery good, water seeps down to the canal.

There is waterlogging in some regions only during heav y rains, but due to good drainage, waterlogging does not pertain for a long time.

Polenite

Very good drainage. Most of the rainwater seeps down to the canal during monsoons.

There is no flooding anywhere in the interiors as the drainage system is v ery good and water directly seeps down to the Keshtopur canal.

Tarulia

No waterlogging, drainage is v ery good, water seeps down to the canal.

Less of flooding occurs in the interiors. Moktar football ground gets flooded only.

Mahishgot

Very good drainage. Most of the rainwater seeps down to the canal during monsoons.

The drainage of New Town plays a key role in improv ing the drainage of this region.

Thakdari

Very good drainage. Most of the rainwater seeps down to the canal during monsoons.

Waterlogging takes place, but the water lev el goes down wthin 6-8 hours after heav y rains.

Table 5.15 : Table showing the drainage characteristics at the canal-front and interiors

Overall the waterlogging situation in the study region is not at all severe, because the water flows down to the Keshtopur canal, which further drains out to the East Kolkata Wetlands. Mahishgot, Polenite and Nayapatti are most effective in terms of drainage. Thakdari and Mahishbathan face issues in terms of drainage

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

5.5 Transport links 5.5.1 

Ward 28 General modes of transport: At the canal front, no vehicles apart from cycles and scooters can enter this lane. No other form of public transport is available. In the interior regions, private vehicles, autos, cycle rickshaws, totos (battery cars) and taxis. IPT is one of the main modes of transportation.



Right of Way: At the canal-front, the ROW is 2-3 metres. Because of the minimal ROW in the road surrounding the canal front, no vehicles can enter. However, in the interiors, the ROW is 6-8 metres.



Accessibility to bus stops: The nearest bus stop is Technopolis bus stop in Sector V (shown in red circle 1). It has a walking distance less than 500 metres.

Ward 28

Canal-front

I nteriors

General modes of transport

No vehicles apart from cycles and scooters can enter this lane. No other form of public transport is av ailable.

Priv ate v ehicles, autos, cycle rickshaw s, totos, taxis. IPT is one of the main modes of transportation.

Right of Way (ROW)

2-3 metres - Because of the minimal ROW in the road surrounding the canal front, no v ehicles can enter.

6-8 metres w ide

Accessibility to bus stops

The nearest bus stop is Technopolis bus stop in Sector V (show n in red circle 1) Walking distance < 500 metres

Table 5.16 : Table showing the transportation patterns of ward 28 Source: Primary (Focussed group discussions)

5.5.2

Ward 27

General modes of transport: At the canal front, buses, auto-rickshaws, toto / battery cars, are the only modes of transport in Mahishgot and Thakdari. However in Tarulia 89

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

along the canal-front, no mode of transport is available. In the interior regions, Autorickshaws, toto / battery car, cycle and cycle rickshaws.

Right of Way -

Canal front: The road along the canal-front is wide enough 6-8 metres for buses to ply. There are buses like 12C/2 and 215, which connect between Aquatica-Loha Pool-Tarulia Keshtopur, ply on this road (Thakdari to Mahishgot to Tarulia and beyond to ward 26/Hanapara).

Interiors: ROW approximately 6 metres. Buses do not ply on the interior roads, but autos, totos and NMT (cycles and cycle rickshaws) do.

Figure 5.9 : All the modes of transport plying within the study region – Private, Public, IPT, NMT Source: Primary

Accessibility to bus stops: The nearest bus stops are Lohapool Bus Stop at the intersection between Mahishgot and Thakdari (shown in red circle 2 - accessible from Thakdari, Mahishgot and Polenite). The nearest bus stop to Tarulia is Jyotinath High School bus stop (shown in red circle 3 - accessible from Tarulia and Nayapatti).

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 5.10 : Map showing location of the bus stops (1, 2 and 3) in the study region Source: Google Earth, Representation primary

Ward 27

Canal-front

I nteriors

General modes of transport

Buses, auto-rickshaws, toto / battery car. How ev er in Tarulia along the canal-front, no mode of transport is av ailable.

Auto-rickshaws, toto / battery car, cycle and cycle rickshaws.

The road along the canal-front is w ide enough 6-8 metres for buses ROW approx 6 metres to ply. Buses (12C/2 and 215) Buses do not ply on the Right of Way connect Aquatica-Loha Pool-Tarulia interior roads, but autos, (ROW) Keshtopur, ply on this road (Thakdari totos and NMT (cycles and to Mahishgot to Tarulia and beyond cycle rickshaw s) do. to w ard 26/Hanapara).

Accessibility to bus stops

The nearest bus stops are Lohapool Bus Stop at the intersection betw een Mahishgot and Thakdari (show n in red circle 2). The nearest bus stop to Tarulia is Jyotinath High School bus stop (show n in red circle 3).

Table 5.17 : Table showing the transportation patterns of ward 27 Source: Primary (Focussed group discussions)

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

CONCLUSION

6.1 Findings 6.1.1 General findings As already stated before, the study region, which comprises the wards 27 and 28, is sub-divided into mouzas. Ward 27, was previously under the Mahishbathan II Gram Panchayat, which includes the mouzas of Tarulia, Mahishgot and Thakdari. On the other side of the Keshtopur canal, ward 28, which was earlier a part of the Bidhannagar municipality, and is more populated and denser in comparison to ward 27, comprises the mouzas of – Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite. The findings at the mouza level, obtained from the focussed group discussions and individual interviews, illustrated as follows: -

Nayapatti (Ward 28): The situation of Nayapatti improved after Sector V got formed in 2006, as its proximity to Sector V helped in terms of more rental housing for the young IT professionals. However, drinking water and limited water supply is a serious issue faced here, especially during monsoons.

Mahishbathan (Ward 28): Historically, Mahishbathan is the oldest mouza in the study region. Services are a major issue here. Highest number of settlements along the canal-front (encroaching on canal land without land tenure), belong to Mahishbathan.

Polenite (Ward 28): Polenite is the only mouza, which still has ponds in the interiors for fishing activities - fishing and farming acivities are still practiced by the people in Polenite, predominantly because of its closeness to the East Kolkata Wetlands, located south. Moreover, Polenite has co-existence of all housing typologies ranging from kutcha to semi pakka to pakka to even G+20 highrises.

Tarulia (Ward 27): Tarulia is one of the mouzas, which are predominant in non-agricultural activities. Also, proximity to the planned residential township, New Town, has influenced its development to a large extent. 92

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Mahishgot (Ward 27): Similar to Tarulia, the proximity of New Town, plays a key role in the development of Mahishgoth, as most of the key activities in Mahishgot are highly influenced by New Town. Also, Mahishgot is highly developed in terms of infrastructure.

Thakdari (Ward 27): Mahishgot and Thakdari are 2 mouzas, which have a predominance of commercial establishments along the canal front. The interior regions show similarity in terms of residential settlements to Polenite.

The Keshtopur Canal, running through the study region, acts as a divider between the wards 27 and 28. There is a predominance of Kutcha or Semi-Pakka housing on canal land (along the canalfront) and Pakka serviced housing on private lands in the interiors. In terms of access to basic services and infrastructure, there is an evident diversity within the study region. Also, in terms of occupation, there is a mix of both rural forms of occupation, like farming and fishing, and also urban forms of occupation, where the residents travel to the nearby planned regions predominantly Salt Lake and New Town, for urbanized jobs.

6.1.2

Reasons for growing urbanisation patterns in the study region

Peri-urbanization is a phenomenon that has affected the larger metropolitan cities to a great extent. As a result of this, the larger metropolitan cities like Kolkata, which have completely developed at the core regions, are spreading aerially. This aerial spread also takes place due to the occupation patterns of the people. Alongside occupation, transportation characteristics that affects the urbanization patterns. In the case of the study region, the proximity to the planned developments, namely Salt Lake, New Town and Sector V, have to a large extent impacted the urbanization here, by creating jobs for daily labourers in residences and in offices in the study region.

6.1.3

Reflecting between the survey data and the spatial analysis (2001 – present)

As per the available secondary data and the information obtained from the reconnaissance surveys and the focussed group discussions, the timeline for our 93

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

purpose is noted down pictorially below. The picture shows the key dates for the establishment of the settlements during the time period of 1995 to present day, giving emphasis to certain phases.

Figure 6.1 : Timeline of major events in the region Source: Secondary sources and on-site information

At the surrounding region, the key events highlighted range from 1995, when the Bidhannagar municipality was formed of 4 residential sectors and 1 industrial sector. However, the major developments at the surrounding level involve the formation of an industrial township authority NDITA in 2006, for the governance of the industrial sector of the municipality. In 2008, another major planned township in the vicinity, New Town, started to develop, to provide extra housing to the people in the city. Finally, the major development in the region, included the merging of several diverse entities to form the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. However, when these developments were occurring at the larger scale, the region under consideration, the study region involving the wards 27 and 28 of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation also underwent massive transformations within its jurisdiction. a result of these planned developments in the surroundings, there were major developments that occurred at the canal front and also in the rest of the study region. Therefore, the timeframes for the establishment of the canal-front developments shown in the lower part of the timeline have been obtained from the reconnaissance surveys, key person interviews and the focussed group discussions done throughout this

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

dissertation programme. Thus, in order to correlate the authenticity of this data, the spatial growth patterns for certain canal front developments have also been checked.

6.1.3.1 Mahishbathan and Mahishgot: In the first instance, Mahishbathan and Mahishgot’s development has been correlated with the on-field information. As per the on-field information, the canal-front developments in Mahishbathan are approximately 10 to 15 years old. On the other side of the Keshtopur canal-front, Mahishgot is one of the newest mouzas in the study region. In Mahishgot, along the canal front the new developments came up mostly during 2010 to 2013, were mostly commercial (shops selling furniture, plywood and glass) with very few residential settlements.

Figure 6.2 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2005

Thus, for Mahishbathan, as said during the site visits, the settlements came up after 2005, which is clearly seen in the above map as well. In 2005, the canal-front on both sides were completely vacant with no traces of livelihood. However, for the interior regions, the settlements in Mahishbathan are as old as 50 to 60 years.

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 6.3 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2008-2009

As stated during the surveys and the key person interviews, major increase in settlements in Mahishbathan took place during the period from 2005 to 2009. This took place predominantly due to the influence of the surrounding industrial township NDITA and the Aila Cyclone in May 2009. However, in Mahishgot, there was a minimal rise in the number of shops or settlements along the canal front, as during this time, New Town was in a developing phase.

Figure 6.4 : Canal-front developments at Mahishbathan and Mahishgot in 2013

Source: Google Earth

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

The phase after 2009, saw major developments on both sides of the canal, especially heavy densification of settlements in Mahishbathan. The proximity to the planned developments, especially NDITA, was a major reason for the increasing settlements at Mahishbathan. In the case of Mahishgot, the phase during 2010 to 2013 saw massive developments, solely due to the influence of the new planned township of New Town.

6.1.3.2 Polenite and Thakdari: Contrary to Mahishbathan, which had comparatively old settlements, Polenite and Thakdari, are both considerably new in terms of developments. As of 2005, there were no traces of settlements along the canal front in both these mouzas. While Polenite showed completely rural characteristics, there were no traces of any settlements in 2005. As stated during the surveys, these 2 mouzas were extremely nascent in terms of their development in the period around 2005.

Figure 6.5 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2005

Source: Google Earth

As also stated during the surveys and corresponding with the satellite images above, Polenite witnessed a growth in the number of settlements during the period from 2008 to 2010. However, on the other side of the Keshtopur canal, in Thakdari, there had been no developments during this period. The influence of New Town has not been visible enough as there are not many settlements during this period. 97

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Figure 6.6 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2009

Source: Google Earth

Figure 6.7 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2013

Source: Google Earth

Moving forward to the year 2013, Polenite as shown above has developed to a greater extent than Thakdari. Drawing a parallel with the surveys and people’s perceptions, there was an increase in the number of settlements getting formed in Polenite. This was also due to Polenite’s proximity to the bheries, where the people who were involved in 98

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

fishing based activities, started settling on the canal front in Polenite. Also, corresponding to the people’s views, Thakdari, witnessed an increase in the number of shops and units along the canal front till 2013. New Town, which was also transitioning into a developing township during this phase is an important reason for the increasing number of shops and settlements along the canal front in Thakdari.

Figure 6.8 : Canal-front developments at Polenite and Thakdari in 2015 Source: Google Earth

Moving forward from 2013 to 2015 and to the present day, there has been heavy densification along the canal-front in Polenite. Also, the canal front in Thakdari is completely lined with shops dealing in furnitures and plywood to glass and roofing tiles. The developments along the canal front in Thakdari are actually very comparable to the developments in Mahishgot. This is due to the fact that the presence of the planned township New Town in the vicinity plays a major influence on these regions. Also, Polenite, has densified to a great extent but nowhere in comparison to Mahishbathan or Nayapatti.

Summing up this part of the conclusion, the people’s views during the reconnaissance surveys and the focussed group discussions, has actually corresponded correctly to the spatial growth patterns obtained through satellite imagery through Google Earth. 99

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

6.2 Aspects showing scope for further improvements In conclusion, there are certain aspects that need to be looked at and worked upon. Some of the major problems and potentials have been identified from the performed FGDs and the interviews. Therefore there are certain options that need to be ventured into. All these options have their individual set of pros and cons which make the option feasible for further use. These are as follows –

6.2.1 Option 1 - Providing tenure to the people living here on that land The first option that can be implemented in the study region, is the provision of land tenure to the people living along the canal front. Firstly, the land along the canal front belongs to the irrigation department, it is canal land. Formalizing the settlements by provision of land tenure, is a challenging step, solely because the land is not privately owned by individuals. Also, providing tenure to the canal front dwellers here, would create a large demand which would be almost impossible to fulfil, for providing land tenure to canal dwellers living along all other canals in the city. However, if this move transpires through governmental interventions, there are certain other aspects also that need to be improved simultaneously to providing land tenure. These are as follows: -

Improvement in the level of services, especially along the canal-front. However, there is scope of improvement in the infrastructure quality in the other regions of the mouzas as well.

Improving the social infrastructure - Access to better educational facilities is a key requirement, as there is a dearth of both primary and secondary schools in the wards 27 and 28. Additionally, there is very limited availability of primary healthcare centres within the wards, and the nearest general hospital is located far away.

Scope for community participation – More participatory planning methods need to be implemented for enhanced governance in the region. Perhaps, a union between the local government and organizations formed from the resident community will help the cause, in providing better governance. As through the 100

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

literature reviews, it was observed the case of Pammal, in peri-urban Tamil Nadu, where a women-led civil society, Shri Shankara Nagar Mahalir Manram (SSNMM) took the initiative to provide a community based solid waste collection service. To tackle the issues related to waste collection in Pammal, this group of women, instead of just collecting and disposing the waste, started recycling and treating the waste. However, in West Bengal, no such efforts are ever known. Therefore, as a proper option in the case the settlements are formalized through tenure, community based initiatives play a major role in the development of the region, especially when services are concerned.

6.2.2

Option 2 – Phase wise relocation of the people encroaching the canal front to reserved sites for EWS and LIG housing

As of 2011-2012, there were government reports and proposals given by the TMC government, for the redevelopment of the Keshtopur canal. In this case, the previously provided option 1, provision of land tenure will not be viable. In this case, relocation of the canal front dwellers is one of the only feasible option.

Figure 6.9 : Proposed relocation site Source: LUDCP for New Town, Google Earth

As per LUDCP for New Town, there has been proposals made, with respect to EWS housing and LIG housing. The proposed location for EWS and LIG housing as given in the LUDCP for New Town, has been circled in the map shown above, in the northeastern regions of Tarulia. This land strip located on the boundary of the New Town lake park is the proposed location which can be used as a relocation site for the canalfront dwellers residing on both sides of the canal-front in Wards 27 and 28. As the settlements on the canal-front are untenable and on canal land, relocation is the most

101

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

feasible option as the relocated site is well within 2-3 km of their current location. Also, providing proper living conditions (housing conditions, infrastructure) in the relocated site is the further stage in this option, will eventually be instrumental in upgrading the living conditions of the current canal-front dwellers.

6.2.3 Option 3 (Pre-requisite for any development) - Monitoring or enforcing regulations at a previous stage, for peri-urban areas, to prevent unplanned developments In the case of the study region, the unplanned developments were mainly due to the following reasons: -

The developments in the study region, especially along the canal front, were taking place without the presence of any regulations / byelaws

Also, the absence of any strategic planning interventions or developments led to these unplanned developments.

However, this situation of unplanned developments can be prevented through enforcing regulations and monitoring them. Providing regulations and bye-laws and monitoring these regulations is the first stage in the planning process. Planning interventions are ventured into at a later stage. Therefore, this option is a hypothetical situation as to what could have materialised in this region before 2005, and what is needed for other cases to prevent similar situations like the canal front development in this case. Thus, the main difference between the study region and the planned developments in the surroundings, can be attributed to the aspect of regulations and proper planning methods. The surrounding regions of New Town and Salt Lake, both were planned townships, with New Town having formal planning documents like LUDCP. Also, Salt Lake was a planned satellite town formed in the 1960s, predominantly a residential township, is divided into sectors and blocks, throughout its area. Salt Lake, being a planned township, came up with many planning documents after its formation and there were regulations and bye-laws that were followed and regularly monitored in Salt Lake. Thus, as a result of this effective planning in Salt Lake, there is minimal scope for informal developments to encroach on any land, as firstly most of the land is privatized 102

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

(residential). Also, the planning prevents spaces for informality. In turn, these planned developments have been putting pressure on the erstwhile Gram Panchayat areas, which were the left over pockets.

6.3 Observed limitations •

There is a lack of availability of demographic data for the mouzas in ward 28, which was earlier under the Bidhannagar municipality. The only available data is collectively for the ward 28 and not individually for the mouzas of Nayapatti, Mahishbathan and Polenite.

•

There are very few data sources which provide data for the 1991 census. Available data for the 1991 census would have given a larger range in the analysis.

•

In terms of parameters for demographic growth, number of housing units was taken as a parameter. But absence of data at the study region, prevented this parameter from being undertaken.

•

As a part of rapid assessment survey of the study region, a quick reconnaissance survey is done at a settlement level at an initial stage. Through the process of surveys and interviews, the main limitations observed were, the authenticity of the data during these surveys.

•

Ecological aspects and urban design interventions related to the East Kolkata Wetlands and the Keshtopur canal respectively, if looked into in more details, would have broadened the scope of the research. But as the duration for this dissertation was only 6 months, these options were scrapped out from the scope of the research.

103

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

REFERENCES

Allen, A., Dávila, J. D., & Hofmann, P. (2006). - Governance of Water and Sanitation Services for the Peri-urban Poor - A Framework for Understanding and Action in Metropolitan Regions . London: The Development Planning Unit. Ansbaek, K., & Roiha, U. (2003). The role of civil society in Indian Urban Environment. Urban Management: Issues and Strategies, 1-33. Bidhannagar.

(2018).

Retrieved

from

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidhannagar Dahiya, B. (2003). Peri-urban environments and community driven development : Chennai, India. Cities, Volume 20, No. 5, 341-352. East

Kolkata

Wetlands.

(2018).

Retrieved

from

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kolkata_Wetlands Ginsberg, N., Koppel, B., & McGee, T. G. (1991). The Extended Metropolis : Settlement Transition in Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Kundu, D. R. (2009). Examining ‘gray areas’ of urban development : The role of formal-informal nexus in shaping the politics of participation in peri-urban Kolkata. Chicago: University of Illinois. Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority. (2009-2010). Retrieved from Nabadiganta Industrial

Township

Authority:

http://www.ndita.org/egovernance/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti cle&id=45&Itemid=58 Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority. (2009-2010). Retrieved from Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority: http://www.ndita.org/egovernance/ New Town Kolkata Development Authority West Bengal. (2018). Retrieved from New Town

Kolkata

Development

Authority

West

Bengal:

https://www.nkdamar.org/Pages/Background.aspx New

Town,

Kolkata.

(2018).

Retrieved

from

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Town,_Kolkata

104

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

Ramachandran, R. (1989). Urbanisation and Urban Systems in India. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Sengupta, S. (2008). A history of the brutal Rajarhat land acquisition, Bengal’s new IT hub. In S. Sengupta, Rajarhaat-Uponogorir Ontorale Arto Manusher Kanna. Sanhati. Shaw, A. (1999). Emerging Patterns of Urban Growth in India. Economic and Political Weekly, 969-978. Shaw, A. (2005). Peri-Urban Interface of Indian Cities : Growth, Governance and Local Initiatives. Economic and Political Weekly, 129-136.

105

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

ANNEXURE

8.1 Questionnaire for the reconnaissance household survey (done at an earlier stage) Done at an earlier stage during the thesis Location ____________________________

Questionnaire No. ___________

General observations Building typology

Kachha / Semi Pakka / Pakka / others



Name of the respondent –



Duration of stay / year of settlement – If recent move, from where did they move?



Ownership: Rented / Self owned - If Rented, Rent/month : - If self-owned, price of the land :

 

HH Size – Household details S N

Members of the house

M/F

Age

Occupation

Location and distance of work/school



Electricity available? Metered/hooked? Bill payment?



Source of water supply? 106

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



Solid waste management? Issues, if any? Garbage collection/disposal



Type of toilet? Individual toilet / Shared toilet / Community / O.D



Any other notable observations??

8.2 Checklist questionnaire for the key person interviews Done during the course of the thesis 

Ward Councillors of BMC / Ward 27 (Prosenjit Sardar, Neye Para, Thakdari, Krishnapur, Kol-700102) and Ward 28 (Banibrata Banerjee FD 6/1, Salt Lake City, Sec III, Kol-700106) 

Exact name of the region,



Current ward boundaries,



Approximate population (also number of HHs) in Nayapatti, Mahishbathan, Mahishgot, Thakdari and Polenite



Occupational patterns for people – people working where Sector V/Wetlands/as daily wage earners in Salt Lake Rajarhat, etc.





Population influx - Population pressure in these wards? Wetlands?



Accessibility of people to nearby local train and bus services

BMC officials (Poura Bhawan, FD - 415A, Sector – III, Kolkata - 700106)

Any documents containing land use plans or any plans of the areas Mahishbathan, Thakdari or Mahishgot, etc.



Irrigation and waterways department (Jalasampad bhawan, Block DF, Sector I, Salt lake, Kolkata - 700091) 

Role of canal in that region – is there plans of redevelopment of the canal as proposed by TMC Govt. in 2014



Future of the people living along the canal-front: If canal redevelopment proposal gets proposed, where will the people go?? If there are any plans available for canal redevelopment? 107

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat



Former Gram Panchayat Pradhan 

History of the region, how amalgamation happened on ground.



Land characteristics – public / private land



Local economy then and now??



Gram Panchayat before 2015.

Local CPIM / TMC leaders or club members. 

About the current scenario of the region – local angle



Migration patterns of people – when and from where?



Local occupation patterns

8.3 Checklist questions for Focussed group discussions 

Access to infrastructure throughout the mouzas – rough timeline of establishment 

Garbage collection – community dumping / open dumping / door to door collection;





Water supply – tubewells (ground water) / BMC tankers (surface water)



Toilets – individual toilets / shared toilets / no toilets (open defecation)

Diversity in housing typology – rough timeline of establishment 

Kaccha + Semi-Pakka – home ownership / land ownership / process of settlement / Tenure / Upgrading options;



Pakka – predominant locations / land ownership / year of establishment;



Highrises / curtain wall – Polenite (initiation / present situation / completion) / surrounding land uses.



Speculated occupational shift – FGD 

Previous occupation / current occupation (self / family)



Previous place of work / current place of work 108

Influence of planned urban development in Kolkata’s peri-urban areas: A case of Mahishbathan Gram Panchayat

If and why there has been a shift in the occupational patterns?

Speculated reasons of shift from agriculture to non-agriculture: Land acquired/purchased by authority > people engaged in other sectors Intentionally changed livelihood from agriculture > tertiary sector (sell off land) Residing in neighbouring villages > employed in township



Transportation links – 

Connectivity between the study region to the surroundings (Salt Lake, NDITA, New Town, Rajarhat-Gopalpur) to the rest of Kolkata (Howrah, Dum Dum, Esplanade, etc.);



Available modes of transport – PT / NMT / IPT (private is not included as it is an individual’s choice and involves vehicle ownership)



Accessibility to the bus stops – distance less than 500 metres is taken as walking distance.



Last mile connectivity (walk / other modes)



Availability of NMT infrastructure (public bicycle sharing or other options).

109

Aditya Bhattacharya | Urban Planning Thesis Report | CEPT University

Articles inside

4.2.2 Spatial growth at the mouza level

2.2 Peri-Urban Interface in the Indian context

1.5 Methodology

3.4 Summary of objective 1

4.2.1 Spatial growth at the macro-level

3.2 Historical documentation

3.3 Brief overview – BMC and New Town

2.3 History of the study region – a socialist and political view

1.4 Need for the thesis