Lothal: The Gujarat Town Planning Consultancy Limited (GTPCL) has invited bids for the preparation of an Infrastructure Master Plan to guide the sustainable growth of the Lothal Area Development Authority (LADA).

This initiative aims to establish a robust urban framework across a jurisdiction of eight villages covering approximately 196.88 square kilometres. The master plan is designed to support environmentally sustainable development and efficient service delivery through the creation of modern urban infrastructure. Key sectors under focus include water supply, sewerage, stormwater management, solid waste management, and road networks.

A major priority of the project is to provide infrastructure that caters to the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) and the expected influx of a “floating” tourist population. To ensure long-term stability, the plan will emphasise climate-resilient strategies, such as nature-based solutions for flood management and energy-efficient infrastructure systems.

Project timeline and implementation

The entire planning process is scheduled to be completed within a nine-month timeframe following the award of the contract. The project implementation will follow a structured, phased approach:

Initial assessment: The first three months will focus on inception and comprehensive site surveys to evaluate existing conditions.

Preliminary planning: By the sixth month, a vision and preliminary master plan covering all major infrastructure sectors will be prepared.

Engineering and finalisation: The final months will involve detailed engineering designs, GIS mapping, and submission of the final master plan report.

Consultants for the project will be selected using the Quality-cum-Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method, with an 80% weightage for technical expertise and 20% for financial proposals.

The master plan marks a significant step towards preserving and developing the Lothal region by integrating modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with its ancient heritage. By rejuvenating local water bodies and strengthening natural drainage systems, LADA aims to create a resilient environment that balances industrial, agricultural, and tourism-related growth. DeshGujarat