NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government on Saturday clarified its stand on the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 at a special session of the Delhi Assembly called to discuss the issue. It also sought relief for the people by demanding that all 1,500 unauthorised colonies in the Capital should be regularised on an "as is where is basis'', ownership rights be conferred on persons living in 44 resettlement colonies and mixed land use norms be relaxed.

Moving the Government resolution on the Master Plan, Finance and Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia said: "For integrated development of Delhi and to provide housing to all and fulfil market requirements, employment opportunities and the growth of an ecologically sound heritage city, the Delhi Master Plan-2021 [should] be implemented immediately''.

It was further demanded in the resolution "that keeping in view the responsibility of the House towards the people of Delhi, the suggestions of the members should be incorporated into the Master Plan-2021 so that the dream of Delhi as a world class global city is accomplished''.

Making known the Government's views on the Master Plan, Dr. Walia said it also had to be clarified as to how much of the urban extension area, in which 48 lakh additional persons are to be accommodated by 2021, would be put to residential use and how much for development activities.

Space constraints

Stating that the issue of housing had also not been addressed adequately, he said due to constraints of space the city should be allowed to grow vertically. "All the NCR townships are allowing buildings over 20 floors high so, why can't we?'' he said, adding that mere permission for allowing four floors up to 15 metres high in plotted development would not help in the long run.

Dr. Walia also said ownership rights should be conferred on persons living in 44 resettlement colonies.

The Minister also called for establishment of special economic zones, biotech and information technology cities in Delhi as these are non-polluting and help in employment generation. He also demanded full powers for formulating policy guidelines for sanction of layout plan, redevelopment schemes, urban renewal schemes and multi-storey buildings in all land use categories to be given to the local bodies.

He said basements should be allowed for professional activities, which should be allowed on 50 per cent of the floor area on any floor as well, whether or not the professional is resident of that building.

The Government also made it clear that diagnostic centres, pathological laboratories and imaging centres should not be clubbed with nursing homes and should be allowed on residential plots irrespective of the plot size and right of way or width of the road.

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