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Delhi traders are up in arms against new Master Plan-2021

Staff Reporter

"Regularise all shops set up by December 31, 2005"

NEW DELHI: To protest against provisions pertaining to mixed land use in the final draft of the Master Plan for Delhi-2021, a large number of Delhi traders have decided to hold protest demonstrations across the city.

The traders are now also demanding that a separate policy be brought for regularisation of all traders -- operating illegally out of residential areas -- who set up their business by December 31, 2005.

At a meeting called under the banner of the Confederation of All India Traders, the trade leaders regretted that people who were totally unaware of the ground realities, historic character of Delhi, its ancient culture and its trade were the ones who had framed the new Master Plan-2021.

Stating that the provisions of the Plan would lead to sealing and demolitions, they accused the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) of lacking vision. On the one hand, they said, the Walled City of Delhi was treated as a predominantly commercial area and on the other it had been given a residential character. Also, they said, no mechanism has been elaborated for regularisation of business establishments that had been set up by December 31, 2005.

Moreover, they added, the basements, shops in DDA flats and properties covered in the Gadgil Award find no mention in the Master Plan.

Also, the document is silent on regularisation of 1,500 computer centres, thousands of tuition centres, business establishments working on upper floor on mixed land use streets and redefinition of negative list items.

The traders demanded that since each zone has its own peculiar problems, the Master Plan should provide for formation of Zonal Development Committees in which traders are included.

To express their views, said CAIT general secretary Praveen Khandelwal, the traders would be meeting officiating Lieutenant-Governor A.R. Kidwai, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy and his deputy Ajay Maken.

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