The Hindu : Front Page : Delhi Master Plan notification within a fortnight

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007
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Delhi Master Plan notification within a fortnight

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

GoM clears draft; Govt. to approach Supreme Court again

NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday approved of the draft Master Plan for Delhi-2021 paving the way for its notification within a fortnight and development of the national Capital on modern lines in future. However, while the Master Plan seeks to provide relief to people from sealing, its notification is not likely to take place before the January 31 extended deadline for traders to file affidavits before the Supreme Court on closing their establishments in unapproved areas.

During the nearly two-and-a-half hour meeting, the Union Urban Development Ministry made a presentation before the GoM on the Master Plan. The 10-point presentation highlighted issues pertaining to mixed land use, redevelopment, slum rehabilitation, private participation, conservation and rejuvenation of the Walled City, relief to schools and health centres from sealing, environment, heritage, power, water, parking and public transport.

Among other things the Master Plan envisages planned development on 27,000 hectares in the city. It has also approved of private participation in mega construction projects and high-rise building activity in the city. The green belt proposed along the borders in 56 villages will also remain.

Following the meeting, Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy told the media that it was decided that the new Master Plan would be notified within 15 days. Since it would be notified by February 5, the Government has decided to approach the Supreme Court yet again for explaining the position and seeking some more time for the traders.

Stating that the GoM has cleared the final draft of the Master Plan, Mr. Reddy announced that it has also authorised the Union Development Ministry to make any changes, if need be, to the Plan document. The Minister said the meeting had also decided that the Master Plan would be reviewed every five years so that issues pertaining to the changing needs of Delhi could be adequately addressed.

The meeting was also attended by officiating Lieutenant Governor A.R. Kidwai, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Ministers Kamal Nath, Meira Kumar, H.R. Bharadwaj, Kapil Sibal and Ajay Maken. During the meeting, sources said, it was also conveyed to the members that the draft Master Plan had also been shown to United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and she had approved of it.

The GoM stressed the need for implementing the Master Plan properly and demanded that Geographic Information System mapping be undertaken to prevent violations .

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