NEW DELHI: The draft Master Plan of Delhi (MPD-2021) was on Tuesday cleared by the GoM headed by home minister Shivraj Patil, paving the way for its notification by the urban development ministry within a fortnight.

The ministerial panel also decided that the UD ministry will move a cabinet note for regularisation of around 1,500 illegal colonies within 15 days.

The regularisation of these colonies will be done through voluntary incentivised redevelopment, without enforcing cohesive redevelopment as was mentioned in the earlier draft MPD.

Urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy and minister of state Ajay Maken announced the GoM's decision.

According to sources, the GoM unanimously rejected Delhi government's demand for removing the proposed green belt of 54 villages spread on 11,000 hectares on the periphery of the Capital.

The MPD will contain relief measures extended by the September 7 and 15 notifications to save lakhs of residents from the court-mandated sealing and demolition drives. The GoM authorised the ministry to make necessary changes in the draft MPD if required.

MPD-2021 prescribes that schools, nursing homes, clinics and pathology labs will continue on a 'as is where is' basis in residential areas. But coaching centres will not be allowed.

In a relief to residents of rural and urban villages, the MPD will allow small shops on the ground floor.

The draft MPD talks of clear demarcation of walled city and its extensions as well as Karol Bagh as commercial areas. It calls for redevelopment of the areas with relaxed norms.

The ministry's redevelopment strategy — which it believes is the only way to cater to the burgeoning housing and commercial needs of the Capital — was supported by the panel.

MPD seeks redevelopment of unplanned areas like pre-1962 colonies, old dilapidated colonies and unauthorised regularised colonies. MPD will incentivise development programmes for 9m right of way (ROW) for the above colonies and 13.5m ROW for group housing colonies.

MPD provides that in 3,000 square metre plots, 33% ground coverage and 1.5 times more FAR subject to a maximum of 400 will be allowed. Influence zone of Metro corridors and major roads can be developed with higher FAR and no height restrictions. According to MPD estimates, it will ensure additional 50% dwelling units in these colonies and still leave 66% open green space.

The MPD will also specify urban design in tall buildings for urban extension. "The policy will ensure 15-20% green cover in these areas in addition to bio-diversity parks and ridge areas," said an official.

According to sources, for the first time, MPD will specify sites for hawkers and vendors near public places like hospitals and bus stands.

For the cleaning of Yamuna river, MPD will prescribe an eight-point programme, including setting up of sewage treatment plants at 22 major drains converging on the river.

MPD-2021 also suggests refurbishing CP and its extension on existing FAR. It says that architectural features and activities like viewing gallery, amusement parks and sports facilities will be introduced.

MPD will also ensure a direct visual link between CP-India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan.
It also talks of ensuring that Red Fort-Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Mosque fall in a line of sight.

Mahendra Kumar Singh
24 Jan, TIMES NEWS NETWORK