In a move to provide more coverage area to shop owners for commercial activities, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) has allowed the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) proposal to modify the Master Plan for Delhi 2021, allowing retail trade, office space / commercial office, service apartments and related activities up to maximum 40 per cent of the floor area.

As per modification, hotel space / rooms shall be minimum 60 per cent of floor area, including exhibition space, banqueting, convention and meeting space. Service apartments shall be non-saleable with all services as per the Hotel Facility Management System.

The maximum 10 per cent additional ground coverage shall be allowed for providing atrium. In case, the permissible additional ground coverage for atrium is utilised, 25 per cent of the utilised ground coverage shall be counted towards floor area.

 “The enhanced Floor Area Ratio (FAR) will be allowed subject to payment of charges to be prescribed by the Government,” the proposed amendment said.

The modification has been suggested after consultation with stakeholders and the Ministry of HUA. The Authority has sought suggestions/objections from the public within 45 days.

Presently, the existing MPD norms allow maximum 20 per cent of the FAR which can be used for the commercial offices, retail and service shops in Delhi. Officials of the HUA said there was a demand to modify MPD 2021 to give relief to business communities and shop owners to use maximum FAR. These regulations have been approved in the recent Authority meeting. After suggestions/objections, the same would be put up against for authority approval.

The MPD modification further states that mixed land use or commercial component (including all commercial activities) is proposed up to 10 per cent of permissible FAR in the residential component of the land. In addition to the above, 10 per cent of permissible FAR may be permitted for home based economic activities to the beneficiaries of the project and scheme.

“All the commercial activities shall be permissible irrespective of the land use subject to all statutory clearances and shall in no case compromise with the basic community needs and infrastructure facilities required to be provided as per MPD-2021,” it said.

In the modification, the Authority stated that microbreweries up to 500L/day capacity may be allowed to be set up at any restaurant/hotel/club subject to installation of on-site waste water treatment facility and adherence to related NOC/licenses required. However, activities which are non-polluting, non-hazardous and not prohibited by law in residential areas shall be permitted.