Tamil Nadu mandates hazard and infrastructure checks in land-use planning

The Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department issued an order on August 4 making infrastructure availability and natural hazard considerations a mandatory part of land-use planning and zoning regulations. The order, based on a proposal from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), requires planning authorities to factor in the availability of trunk infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, and power before permitting development. It also mandates integrating hazard considerations into planning to prevent unplanned development and improve public safety.