NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the Capital's rural population that had feared demolition of its properties, the five-member Board of Enquiry constituted to consider the suggestions and objections to the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 has allowed commercial activity without any condition in residential areas -- both within and outside the rural "Lal Dora".

A member of the Board, Virender Kasana, said no condition of width of road has been laid and villagers would be allowed to carry out constructions on the ground floor for meeting all their basic needs. Stating that over the years a lot of village land had been acquired but no facility of markets had been provided to the villagers, he said the decision would address the issue.

However, Mr. Kasana said the decision would not benefit malls or other big commercial establishments operating in rural areas.

In another major decision, the Board has also accepted the chapter on mixed land use and allowed commercial activities in residential areas situated on roads having a minimum width of 18 metres or 60 feet. While the building owners would be allowed to carry out commercial activity on the ground floor, there is no permission for carrying out such activities on other floors. While the shops will have an access from the front, the shopowners will also have to provide two parking lots per 100 square feet of construction and would be allowed to pool for the purpose in the case of smaller units. "The provision of parking will have to be provided by having a front setback," Mr Kasana said, adding that the Board has also kept in mind the right to access of the residents.

Here again, he said, shops conforming to only specific non-polluting and non-dangerous categories would be allowed and storage of building material, poisonous and chemical substances and wood will not be permitted. Similarly, liquor shops have not been allowed.

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