New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Delhi's new master plan is set to move from policy to implementation, with the TOD committee scheduled to meet on September 3 to consider around seven proposals, some of which could also be sanctioned, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu told Millennium Post. He said MPD-2047 seeks to simplify approvals, clearly fix agency responsibilities and address long-standing challenges related to housing, water, greenery and infrastructure.
On regularisation and land-use provisions, Sandhu said, "Regularisation-related issues are going to be taken up by the government and are also being addressed. To facilitate construction and improve urban living, MPD-2047 proposes simpler regulations and streamlined approval processes. For example, the number of permissible use premises will be reduced from 133 to 45, with a negative-list approach extended to residential, commercial and industrial areas to provide greater flexibility."
The plan also seeks to promote plot-based redevelopment by removing the existing minimum area requirement of four hectares. Commercial redevelopment will further benefit from higher FAR incentives, while the minimum plot size has been reduced to 1,000 sq m. Earlier, the negative list of permissible activities was applicable only to industrial areas; now, it has been specifically provided for residential and commercial areas as well.
He said MPD-2047 also clearly defines the responsibility of agencies, with DDA taking a greater role in planning and approvals, particularly for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects. "Earlier, it was very clearly with the MCD, but now it lays down that it is the DDA's responsibility. A committee will decide who will approve the TOD project and coordinate planning with various agencies, so there is no blame game," he said.
Officials said the TOD committee will meet on September 3 to consider the seven proposals received under the TOD policy announced on April, and some projects could also be in a position to get sanctioned after the discussion. The DDA has received a good response from both private and government entities, officials said.
"Some schemes like TOD and SDC do not require additional regulations because they are already laid down in the Master Plan. We have received seven TOD proposals and are moving ahead with them. Land pooling, however, requires regulations, which will clearly lay down the details of the PPP scheme and other possible models," Sandhu said.
Officials said wherever additional regulations are required, these are expected to be brought out within the next two to three months.
On transparency, officials said developers would be able to apply online and track their projects, while DDA would be responsible for ensuring accountability. MPD-2047 also provides for a Rs.10,000-per-square-metre TOD charge, which developers will deposit with DDA. A specified share would subsequently be transferred to agencies including DJB and MCD for infrastructure development.
MPD-2047 proposes smaller 20-hectare land-pooling sectors with a 60:40 landowner-DDA share. Mixed-use development could allow limited commercial activity along wider roads, while active Yamuna floodplains will remain construction-free. Sandhu has consulted around 45 MLAs and MPs.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.