The Master Plan for Delhi prepared by Delhi Development Authority is a statutory document that facilitates the capital’s development by assessing the city's present condition and guiding to achieve the desired development. The implementation of the Master Plan is the collective responsibility of all the agencies involved in the development of Delhi, including the Central Government, concerned departments of the Government of the NCT of Delhi, service providers, landowning agencies, regulators, and local bodies among others. The first Master Plan for Delhi was promulgated in 1962 under the Delhi Development Act 1957, followed by the Master Plans of 2001 and 2021, each of which was an extensive modification of the respective previous plan document. These plans were prepared with a 20 years’ perspective and provided a holistic framework for the planned development of Delhi. The Draft MPD-2041 is a ‘strategic’ and ‘enabling’ framework to guide the future growth of the city. The Draft Master Plan for Delhi-2041 (MPD-2041) has been divided into two volumes, nine sections, which contain 22 chapters.

The DDA held its meeting, the day before yesterday, through video conferencing under the chairmanship of Anil Baijal, Lt Governor, Delhi/Chairman, DDA. It was attended by Anurag Jain, IAS, Vice Chairman, DDA and other members of the authority including Vijender Gupta MLA, Somnath Bharti MLA, Dilip Kumar Pandey MLA, OP Sharma MLA and Adesh Kumar Gupta Municipal Councillor, North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The following major decisions were taken:

The modification in MPD 2021 with respect to development control norms for unauthorised colonies: Unauthorised colonies (UCs) are unplanned settlements built in contravention of the ‘Master Plan’ and zoning regulations characterised by poor infrastructure and amenities, leading to poor quality of living standards. Understanding the importance of the same, the above requirement was also stressed upon in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019.

The Government of India launched the PM-UDAY scheme (Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colony in Delhi Awas Yojana) for recognising ownership rights to the residents of 1,731 UCs in the city. The DDA has been made a nodal agency of the scheme, which delineates the boundaries of these UCs with the help of a survey of India and Revenue Department, GNCTD using satellite imageries of 2015. Under the scheme, DDA will scrutinise documents and will issue a Conveyance Deed for Government Lands and Authorisation Slip for private lands, only for residential purposes. The beneficiaries can get these documents registered with the sub-registrar’s office.

The development control norms for unauthorised colonies in Delhi are formulated to pave the way for the planned development of the existing colonies. A two-pronged approach with differentiated norms has been formulated to improve the quality of the built environment, to provide continued affordable rental housing and to improve the existing physical and socio-economic conditions of the area.

Facilitating medical oxygen infrastructure: To ensure that medical oxygen infrastructure is facilitated in the hospitals in Delhi, the authority has approved the amendment to the Unified Building Bye-Laws 2016. This amendment will allow oxygen-related infrastructures such as PSA plants, Liquid Medical Oxygen to be set up in the open area of the existing hospital premises. Further, no notice and building permit will be required from the sanctioning authority for installation of the PSA plant/Liquid Medical Oxygen Plant and similar related infrastructure in hospitals if it is on the ground and in open/setback areas. However, fire safety clearance, PESO and other mandatory clearances, wherever applicable, will be required.

Further, as per information received from Delhi Fire Services, the oxygen plants having an area less than 250 square meters are not covered under Rule 27(9) of Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010 and therefore, the issue of Fire Safety Certificate is not required. However, the following shall be maintained:

• The plant shall be approachable to fire engines through a six metres wide motorable road.
•  Fire safety arrangements that have already been provided in the hospital building shall not be altered.
•  Fire safety arrangements as per National Building Code 2016, Part 4 shall be provided in the interest of the public.
• The proposed amendment will now be sent to MoHUA for final approval. On receipt of the approval, the same shall be notified by DDA.

Opportunity for small format houses: The authority has approved disposal of some Group Housing Plots for construction of small houses up to 60 square metres through freehold basis through e-auction. This will cater to the demand of 40-60 sqm affordable housing due to the growing trend of reduction of family member sizes, single-parent families, only elderly couples dwellings. The small format houses are in line with National Housing Policy. It was felt that there should be another category for smaller houses which are cheaper to the standard two/three bedroom houses/flats and can be purchased by lower middle class or low salaried and small family persons.

Boost to commercial built-up shops: The authority has reviewed the method of pricing of built-up units/shops and approved significant changes in the pricing policy which aim to keep the prices fair and competitive. As per the existing policy, the cost of construction was enhanced every year by 10 per cent with respect to the year of construction while fixing the reserve price, whereas generally, structures are depreciated as they age. Accordingly, the new policy accounts for depreciation. Considering the general economic scenario, the multiplication factor for the land has also been reduced. Under the new policy, the reserve price of these built-up units is reduced by about 30 per cent to 55 per cent. This presents an excellent opportunity to the interested buyers as the shops are going to be offered at reduced rates.

Change of land use for multilevel car parking at Idgah Road, Zone-A: To cater to the acute demand for parking in the area, the authority has approved change of land use of land measuring 2.6 Ha. from ‘Residential (Redevelopment)’ to ‘Transportation (MLCP)’ for multilevel car parking at Idgah Road, Zone-A, other than the walled city. The proposed modification would help North MCD and DMRC with the construction of car parking and the Nabi Karim Metro Station. A public notice will now be issued for inviting objections/suggestions from the general public.