Significance of Internal Road Planning in Plotting Layouts: The Backbone of Accessibility

In any plotted development—be it a small residential scheme or a township—the internal road network plays a vital role in both functionality and approval.

Good road planning is not just about connecting plots—it's about smooth movement, safety, services, and regulatory compliance.

In this blog, we break down how to design effective internal roads in layouts and avoid the most common mistakes developers make.

📌 1. Role of Internal Roads in Layouts

• Connect plots to the main access roads

• Provide right-of-way for essential services: water, drainage, electricity

• Define movement hierarchy (main, collector, and access roads)

• Ensure fire safety and service vehicle access

• Impact walkability and pedestrian safety

📌 2. Road Width as per UDCPR Guidelines

According to UDCPR (Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations), internal road widths depend on:

• Number of plots served

• Plot size and frontage

• Length of the road

🛣 Common Road Width Norms:

• Access Road for < 8 plots: Minimum 6.0 m

• Collector Road: 9.0 m to 12.0 m

• Main Layout Road: 12.0 m or above (for large projects)

Always provide wider roads for plots with commercial usage or larger dimensions.

📌 3. Turning Radius and Dead Ends

• Turning Radius at T-junctions or bends: Min. 7.5 m to 9.0 m

• Dead End Roads (cul-de-sac): Must provide turning area (usually bulb-shaped or T-type)

• Avoid creating bottlenecks or sharp turns that restrict large vehicle movement

📌 4. Design Best Practices

✅ Hierarchy of Roads:
Start with a wide central road (main), then branch to collector and local roads.

✅ Avoid Long Straight Roads:
Introduce slight curves to reduce speeding and improve aesthetics.

✅ Footpath & Drainage:
Include minimum 1.5 m wide footpaths, storm water side drains, and street lighting.

✅ Gradient Consideration:
Maintain 1 in 40 to 1 in 100 gradient for proper drainage.

✅ Encourage Frontage for All Plots:
Ensure every plot touches a road. No plot should be landlocked.

📌 5. Common Mistakes Developers Make

❌ Keeping roads too narrow—leading to plan rejection

❌ Ignoring junction turning space—causing vehicle bottlenecks

❌ Using leftover space instead of logical layout planning

❌ No provision for street lights or drainage lines

❌ Excessive curves or blind turns—unsafe and non-compliant

📌 6. Checklist for Road Planning in Layouts

• ✅ Main access road: 9m–12m minimum

• ✅ Side/branch roads: 6m–9m

• ✅ Adequate turning radii

• ✅ Road to every plot

• ✅ Stormwater drainage

• ✅ Footpath on main road

• ✅ Cul-de-sac with turning provision

📣 Final Thoughts

Internal road planning is not a secondary detail—it’s the foundation of a layout.

Poor roads result in:

• Rejected proposals

• Unsold plots

• Infrastructure issues post-possession

Whereas good road design leads to:
✅ Fast approvals
✅ Smooth execution
✅ Higher resale value
✅ Satisfied end users

As a developer, it's your job to build not just a layout—but a community that moves freely and lives comfortably.