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`Proposed green belt around Delhi not feasible'

Staff Reporter

It would not only harm the interests of farmers but also lead to further growth of illegal colonies: Expert

NEW DELHI: The "green belt" proposed by draft Master Plan for Delhi-2021along the borders of Delhi and covering 56 full revenue villages is not feasible as it would not only harm the interests of farmers but would also lead to further growth of unauthorised colonies. As such while retaining the green character liberal use of this land should be allowed for such activities as amusement parks, playing areas, water parks and sports facilities, a senior planner involved in the preparation of the Plan has suggested.

With Haryana declaring all its border areas with Delhi as residential and Delhi's habitation extending to the villages, the planners are of the view that maintaining the border areas as green without acquisition would not be possible. "Farmers will sell off their land in small plots and this would lead to growth of more unauthorised colonies," said a planner.

Moreover, the planners insist that since there is acute paucity of land in Delhi, there is a need to preserve the available land and use this green belt for creating more common facilities while having a lot of greenery therein. "The concept of green in urban areas is changing all over the world and we need this land for providing more facilities to the people in Delhi."

Political pressure

However, there is too much political pressure to keep these areas as green. "Some powerful politicians want the green belt so that they can promote more unauthorised colonies. Though the Delhi Government has now realised that keeping this area green would not be possible as long as it remains in private hands and had suggested more liberal land use there during the last DDA Board meeting, some politicians opposed to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit are out to scuttle the move as they feel it would strengthen her position in the border villages," said the planner.

Politics apart, the planners believe there is very little time left to bring about the changes. "The greens should ideally be spread all over the city so that people everywhere benefit from them. The sooner this change is brought about, the better for Delhi and its future."

Moreover, as there is always the possibility of the villagers coming together and raising the issue in the form of a "kisan movement", there are many who believe the Congress should also liberalise the norms in the green belt for the sake of planned development.

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