Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) has formulated a 20-year master plan aiming to ensure planned development in the city and its adjacent areas in that time.

Around 364 square kilometres of two adjacent municipalities and 12 union parishads are included in the mega plan, said Prof Bazlur Rahman, chairman of RDA.

He said the main goal of RDA is city planning and also to ensure planned growth and development of the metropolis.

Just after its establishment in 1978, RDA started preparing its first master plan for 20 years. The plan was implemented in 1984 in an area of 127 square kilometres.

After invalidation of the first master plan, RDA prepared a new master plan named Rajshahi Metropolitan Development Plan (RMDP).

During preparation of the plan for the first time in Bangladesh, RDA used modern planning techniques and tools like GPS, Total Station, RTK and GIS software.

A detailed socio-economic, transport and physical feature survey along with contour and RL record were done. All of the collected data and information were preserved as a data bank in digital format.

"We are very optimistic about doing better work under the present master plan," said Prof Rahman.

In an effort to make the plan a total success, RDA held a coordination meeting with other relevant organisations and public representatives yesterday.