The Hindu : Front Page : New mixed land use policy for Capital notified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006

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New mixed land use policy for Capital notified

Sujay Mehdudia

Draft Master Plan for Delhi-2021 amended to bring "big relief" to citizens faced with threat of demolition

NEW DELHI: The Union Urban Development Ministry issued a notification on Tuesday putting its stamp of approval on the much talked about new mixed land use policy proposed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) by amending the draft Master Plan for Delhi-2021. The move comes as a big relief to large sections of the Capital's citizens faced with threat of demolition and sealing of their properties.

The amended plan envisages mixed land use permitting commercial activity on the ground floor of residential plots, operation of banquet halls in residential, commercial and industrial areas, and allowing establishments like pre-nursery schools, nursing homes, guest houses, banks and fitness centres in such areas.

Emerging out of Nirman Bhavan, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, flanked by party MLAs Mahabal Mishra and Jile Singh Chauhan, said the Congress had once again protected the interests of various sections by giving them this major relief. Thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi "for their guidance", Mr. Maken singled out Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy "for taking this bold initiative and working overtime to ensure that Delhi's citizens got some relief".

The changes in the Master Plan were cleared by DDA on March 24. The official notification now states that mixed use streets will be identified based on traffic and parking studies. ``On the basis of identification of mixed land use streets in zonal or local plans, mixed use may be permitted on the ground floor in residential plots facing streets and roads of minimum 18 metres Right of Way (RoW) in regular residential plotted development, 13.5 metres in rehabilitation colonies and 9 metres in special areas and villages. Further mixed land use could also be identified and notified by the local body concerned and DDA in consultation with residential welfare association.''

The notification allows professionals like doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, chartered accountants and designers to work from their residential premises. Professional activity would be permissible on any floor subject to a maximum of 25 per cent of the floor area of the dwelling unit or not exceeding one floor in case of plotted development. It also permits banquet halls in residential areas on condition that they would be on plots of 330 square metres or more, facing a minimum of 18-metre RoW roads and 13.5 metres in rehabilitation colonies and 9 metres in special areas.

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