Former bureaucrat MN Buch, commonly referred to as ‘architect of new Bhopal’ has passed away due to brain stroke at the age of 80. He played a major role in the urban planning concepts in the city. He is survived by wife Nirmala, ex-chief secretary of MP and son Vineet, who stays in USA. Buch was awarded with Padma Bhushan. He sought voluntary retirement from Indian Administrative Services in 1984 and took up social activities.He set up the NGO National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment (NCHSE).

He was an expert in housing, forestation, town planning and environmental protection. He was well known for his clear views on betterment of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh, mainly in context of urban planning and environment protection.

He was also the chairman of the Board of Governors ABV – Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management at Gwalior. He was conferred with UNEP award for the implementation of desertification control program in 1994-95 and Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1998.