Analysis of Master Plan for Delhi 2021

The draft Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021, prepared by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), incorporates several innovations for the development of the nation’s capital.

The DDA has set a vision for the master plan which is referred to as Vision-2021. The vision is to make Delhi a global metropolis and a world-class city offering a better quality of life to its residents. This essentially requires a proper planning and action in order to meet the needs of growing population. The Authority aims to provide adequate housing, address the problems of small enterprises, particularly in the unorganized and informal sector, address the issue of slums, to upgrade old and dilapidated areas of the city, provision of adequate infrastructure services, conservation of the environment; preservation of heritage structures, and many others.

The Plan was drafted after careful consideration of the democratic procedure and statutory obligations. Extensive consultations were carried out with the Government of NCT of Delhi, local bodies, public sector agencies, resident welfare associations, etc during the pre-planning stage and public views were also kept in view. It incorporates a critical reform in the existing land policy and facilitating public – private partnerships. It aims at a planned development of new areas along with incentivising the recycling of old, distorted areas for their rejuvenation.

The MPD-21 main focus is on critical areas like- Land Policy, Public Participation and Plan Implementation, Redevelopment, Shelter, Housing for poor, Environment, Unauthorised Colonies, Mixed Use, Focus on Infrastructure Development, Disaster Management and so on.

Availability of urbanisable land in NCT-Delhi for 2021 is 1,48,300 Hectares. It is estimated that the population of Delhi would be approximately 230 lakh by 2021. Keeping this in view, the Plan looks to satisfy the requirement of land, provision of infrastructure and transportation, etc.

According to the Master Plan for Delhi-2021, the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) has been divided into 15 zones- Zone A to H and Zone J to P (zones K and P are subdivided into two part zones). Out of the 15 zones, eight (zone A to H) are in urban area, six (zone J to P) in the rural area while one (zone O) in riverbed (along the Yamuna river).

So far, Zonal Plans in respect of 11 zones (including sub cities of Dwarka, Rohini and Narela) have been approved by the centre. The remaining zonal plans are expected to be approved within a year from the date of notification of the MPD-2021.

The MPD-21 has a clear plan for the national capital in terms of residential, industrial, commercial development, providing better infrastructure to the city, maintaining green areas and preserving natural covers like water bodies, etc.

Residential plots are available in Zones J, K, L, N and P while agricultural land is still available in Zones L and N. It is evident from the growth trends of Delhi that land may not be available in these zones after a few years to individuals for residential development. Industrial growth is expected in zones P, K and F which is likely to drive in demand for residential real estate in the surrounding areas. The area in the zone J is predominantly occupied by the farm houses. It also houses several heritage and ecologically significant sites. The land cost is higher in most parts of zones J and K while it is pretty low in zones L and N.

Farm houses will be monitored based on the farmhouse policy of the government. The village abadi areas and unauthorized colonies would be dealt as per the statutory provisions and policy decisions of the Government.

The Draft Master Plan 2021, notified in February 7, 2007, has to be reviewed every five years once. The first review started early in September 2011 and the Union Urban Development Ministry said that the Plan had failed to meet requirements of a city like Delhi. According to DDA, the plan will be finalised by August with a minimum of 100 changes.