The draft Master Plan of Delhi-2041 (MPD-2041), which was put in the public domain in June 2021, is likely to be notified by April next year, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has informed the Supreme Court.
As per the initial plan, the MPD-2041 was to come into effect this year, but got delayed as the DDA is in the process of finalizing key policies such as the Green Development Area (GDA) policy, and incorporating the suggestions/objections received from the public on the draft plan.
As per its submission in the apex court, the reworked MPD-2041 will be placed in the authority meeting, which is chaired by lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, in the first week of December. Once approved by the authority, it will be sent to the Union ministry for housing and urban affairs (Mohua) for final notification by January 15, 2023.
The land-owning agency has been working on finalising key policies and necessary amendments have been proposed in the Delhi Development Act of 1957 by the Centre last month to facilitate the implementation of these policies on the ground. Changes have been suggested in the Delhi Development Act, 1957 to facilitate the implementation of the land pooling policy, which was notified in 2018.
One of the key policies which are yet to be finalised is the GDA policy that is aimed at regulating development in villages in the greenbelt located on the outskirts of the city and regularisation of farmhouses. Earlier this month, the ministry of housing and urban affairs held a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the GDA policy, which will be notified along with the MPD-2041.
The MPD-2041 focuses on the regeneration of old areas (unauthorised colonies, urbanised villages), allowing mixed-use development, providing affordable rental housing and small format housing, promoting walkability and non-motorised transport, development of green-blue (green spaces and waterfronts) infrastructure and corridors for sustainable development of the city.
The DDA has introduced new concepts and proposals to make Delhi a 24x7 city by promoting night-time economy and nightlife, increasing economic activities, allowing mixed development, especially in industrial areas, and ensuring planned development of urban extensions. The draft plan was in the public space on June 9 last year, however, the DDA had to extend the last date for comments to end-August, after several requests, citing the pandemic and consequent restrictions.
