NEW DELHI: Having got a grasp of the prevailing ground realities after the recent spate of demolitions and sealing in the Capital, the Union Urban Development Ministry has issued directions to make changes in the new Master Plan for Delhi-2021 that would pave the way for "major market hubs and streets'' presently running in residential areas to be declared as commercial areas and stretches.

Although the Ministry has made it clear that there would be no such relaxation in the elite A and B category colonies, things could be different for other categories where the stakes are high for the local residents as well as those running these hubs. It is understood that a majority of streets along Ring Road that have become commercial over the past many years are likely to be officially declared as commercial stretches paving the way for their proper harmonious development. Similarly, markets in areas like Rajouri Garden, Karol Bagh, Kamla Nagar, parts of Lajpat Nagar, Rani Bagh, Pitampura, Rohini, Gandhi Nagar, large areas of the Walled City of Delhi and other such areas could well be designated as fully commercial hubs paving the way for their regularisation.

"There is a small percentage of residential population that is living in such areas. It would be in the best interests that such areas are also designated commercial and asked to pay misuse charges,'' says a senior official.

Interestingly, the Tejinder Khanna Committee had also recommended that major market hubs like South Extension, Karol Bagh, Kamla Nagar, parts of Lajpat Nagar and other such areas should be designated officially as commercial stretches or strips. It had also suggested that flexible land use in residential areas of pre-Master Plan for Delhi-1962 be allowed without rigid restrictions about the floor from which they operate or the minimum size of the plot and minimum width of appurtenant road except in cases of serious public inconvenience noticed by the enforcement agency.

On the other hand, following feedback that vested interests in the residents' welfare associations (RWAs) could use the situation to "bully'' those running such activity in view of the powers being conferred on the RWAs, the Urban Development Ministry is understood to have incorporated certain safety clauses that would prevent any misuse of these powers or harassment of genuine property holders. Officials said it had been made clear in the notification issued by the Ministry that objections over making certain areas commercial or reverting them back to residential would be entertained only if more than 50 per cent of the RWA office-bearers back the proposal. Similarly, it had also been made clear that an RWA belonging to a certain area or block would have no locus standi to make complaints about some other area or block.

This clause had been introduced as some RWAs of Rajouri Garden and other parts of the Capital had been found misusing their powers to file complaints about other blocks despite the local RWA having no objection to that particular activity.

"We are for empowerment of RWAs but that should not become a tool to harass other residents or those running a business with the consent of local RWAs. We have to ensure that the law of land is same for all and no particular section is given unprecedented powers,'' said another senior official.

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