The Hindu : New Delhi News : Centre to notify amendments made to Master Plan in September

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Saturday, Aug 26, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Centre to notify amendments made to Master Plan in September

Staff Reporter

To provide much-needed relief to small traders by allowing liberal mixed land use

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken on Friday assured a delegation of Municipal Corporation of Delhi leaders that the Centre would notify the amendments made to the Master Plan for Delhi-2001 pertaining to mixed land use and building by-laws in the first week of September.

This would provide much-needed relief to small traders and shopkeepers by allowing liberal mixed land use in middle and lower-middle class colonies in the Capital.

The Minister, however, ruled out any relief to owners of banquet halls, liquor shops, building material stores, auto-repair workshops and junk stores in the city's residential areas. Similarly, buildings beyond 15 metres in height and over four floors will also not be granted any relaxation in residential areas, while the axe will also fall on all commercial establishments, except for those covered under the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006, in around 80 posh `A' and `B' category colonies like Greater Kailash, Vasant Kunj, Gulmohar Park and Friends Colony.

Mr. Maken gave this assurance to a group of MCD Councillors, led by Leader of the House Jitender Kochar and Standing Committee Chairman J. K. Sharma, who met him in the wake of the civic body's announcement to resume sealing of all illegal establishments in the Capital from September 1.

They urged him to speed up the process of notifying the new Master Plan for Delhi-2021 and fully implement the Tejinder Khanna Committee recommendations so that relief could be provided to affected traders and residents.

Stating that the Ministry had received around 200 objections and suggestions from the people on its proposals notified last month, Mr. Maken said they would also incorporate recommendations made by the Tejinder Khanna Committee report in the proposed amendments after public hearings. The amendments would benefit residents and traders in around 1,700 colonies across the Capital by allowing liberal mixed land use. "We are fully aware of the situation arising out of the Supreme Court order and every attempt will be made to protect the interests of the affected people," Mr. Maken told the MCD delegation.

Expressing satisfaction over their meeting with Mr. Maken, Mr. Kochar said the amendments in the Master Plan would end the uncertainty prevailing among the traders and residents of Delhi who are in a state of panic after the civic body's public notice issued on Friday.

"The Centre as well as the Congress is committed to give maximum possible relief to the people by way of proposed modifications in bylaws and the Master Plan," he added.

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