A large number of cities across the country continue to function without a Master Plan, despite the Centre offering funds to carry out the exercise and the recognised benefits of a plan. The Union Urban Development Ministry on Wednesday claimed that only 24 per cent of the total cities and towns have a Master Plan.

Secretary Urban Development, Sudhir Krishna used Delhi and its water-logged roads as an illustration of just how important a Master Plan is for a city. “The Master Plan should include information on all the crucial aspects of a city, for instance the natural drain network.