The new year brings a wave of joy and relief to thousands of families residing along the Chambal river in Kota, Rajasthan. After years of anticipation and struggle, a significant 732-hectare stretch of land, extending from the Hanging Bridge. To the Kota Barrage, has been officially denotified from the stringent restrictions of the Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. This landmark decision is set to transform the lives of approximately 1, while 5 lakh residents in Kota, particularly benefiting over 40,000 households that have long awaited land deeds and the resumption of construction activities. The official notification, issued by the Rajasthan government, comes as a direct result of the persistent efforts. Spearheaded by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, paving the way for development and stability in the region.
End of Long-Standing Restrictions
For years, the designation of the Chambal Gharial Sanctuary had imposed a 'restricted area' status on a 1-kilometer radius along the riverbanks, while this restriction created immense hardships for the local populace. The issuance of land deeds (pattas) for houses and shops was halted, making legal ownership a significant challenge. On top of that, legal prohibitions on buying and selling land stifled economic activity and property transactions. Constructing new homes or undertaking repairs (renovation) of existing structures required cumbersome No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the forest department, leading to delays and difficulties for residents seeking to improve their living conditions, while essential government development projects, such as road construction, drainage systems, and electricity infrastructure, were also hampered by these restrictions, resulting in a lack of basic amenities in these areas.
The 732-hectare area denotified by the forest department includes several key residential and urban localities within Kota, which are now free from these long-standing restrictions. Shivpura accounts for the largest portion, with 320. 33 hectares being freed, while kishorpura follows with 208. 56 hectares removed from the sanctuary's limits, and Sakatpura receives significant relief with 186. 36 hectares. Also, Nayagaon (12. 12 hectares), Gumanpura (3. 93 hectares), and Rampura (0. 7 hectares) have also been liberated from these restrictions. In total, the forest department's ban on approximately 206 Khasra numbers has now become a thing of the past, providing legal and economic security to thousands of families residing in these areas.
Direct Advantages for Residents
This historic decision will bring several crucial benefits to the residents of these areas along the Chambal river. Firstly, the long-stalled land deeds for houses and shops can now be issued easily by local administrations, such as the Municipal Corporation or UIT. This will legalize property ownership and grant residents full rights over their assets. Secondly, the legal ban on buying and selling land will be lifted, boosting the real estate market in these areas and allowing people to realize the fair value of their properties. Thirdly, residents will no longer need to seek approvals from the forest department for building new houses or repairing old ones, enabling construction work to proceed swiftly and without hindrance. Finally, essential government development projects like roads, drains, and electricity can now be expedited without the need for NOCs, improving the quality of life in these localities and integrating them into the mainstream development of Kota.
The Path to Success and Om Birla's Contribution
The credit for this significant achievement goes to the relentless efforts and unwavering commitment of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He effectively raised this critical issue with the central government and the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL). His initiative led to the central government's approval of the proposal, while subsequently, on December 23, 2025, the Governor also gave his assent, after which the Rajasthan government issued the official orders. This was a lengthy and complex process that required coordination and strong political will at various levels. Om Birla has played a pivotal role in fulfilling this long-standing demand of the people of Kota, bringing about a positive change in the lives of thousands of families.
Future Outlook and Development Prospects
This denotification won't only remove legal obstacles but also usher in a new era for these areas of Kota. These localities will now be able to catch up with other developed parts of Kota in terms of roads, drainage, electricity, and other urban amenities, while local bodies (Municipal Corporation/UIT) are expected to soon organize camps to initiate the process of issuing land deeds, ensuring that people receive their legal documents promptly. This step will contribute to the overall development of the city and empower these communities along the Chambal river both economically and socially, while it has been clarified that only the 732-hectare residential area from the Hanging Bridge to the Kota Barrage has been denotified, not the entire Chambal river, thus maintaining environmental balance while enabling human development. This decision marks a significant milestone on Kota's development trajectory.
