The Hindu : New Delhi News : Big relief for green brigade

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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
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New Delhi

Big relief for green brigade

Staff Reporter

DDA bans concrete construction on Yamuna banks

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

Some more good news: Away from the Yamuna riverfront, renovation work under way at the ancient Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: In a development that has come as a big relief to environmentalists and conservationists in the Capital, the Delhi Development Authority has decided not to allow any new proposal for concrete construction on the Yamuna banks in view of the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games in the city.

The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting of the DDA chaired by Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna where a detailed discussion on the draft Zonal Plan for Zone ‘O’ of the Yamuna was held.

Delhi Urban Arts Commission Chairman K.T. Ravindran and representative of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) also took part in the meeting.

Zone ‘O’ development

It was outlined that the objective of Zone ‘O’ development was to augment water supply, contain abetment of pollution and allow for land use in a manner ensuring eco-friendly development and maintenance of the river’s eco-systems.

As per the decision, only green development would be permitted on the Yamuna riverfront and that too limited to specified greens such as bio-diversity parks, bird sanctuaries and zoological gardens. The remaining activities proposed would be considered in the light of ongoing studies and would be taken up in the second phase.

Further, the DDA has also decided to shift the five thermal power projects existing on the Yamuna river front before the Commonwealth Games. While the draft Zonal Plan for Zone ‘D’ was discussed and deferred for further discussion, the Zonal Plan for PII Zone for Narela was approved at the meeting.

The DDA Board member and MLA Mahabal Mishra said: “The Zonal Plan for Zone ‘D’ for Lutyens’ Zone was not passed as objections were raised by the NDMC Chairman and the DUAC Chairman regarding the building by-laws in LBZ areas. It has been decided to finalise the ‘D’ Zone plan within three months after holding discussions between the DUAC, DDA and NDMC.”

“In another major decision, it was decided to put a stop to the sealing and demolitions being undertaken by DDA in the 239 unauthorised colonies in the DDA area,” he added.

Plan modification

A modification in the Master Plan for Delhi-2021with regard to conversion charges was also approved at the meeting. The conversion charges for change of permissible land use in industrial premises have been given in the Master Plan-2021.

However, in order to have unified conversion charges for all types of conversions, an amendment to the Master Plan had been proposed according to which all charges would be fixed by the Ministry of Urban Development as prescribed from time to time. This proposal was approved and it would circumvent the necessity of amending the Master Plan whenever a change in the charges was felt necessary.

The proposal to allot a plot measuring 100 acres in Maidan Garhi village for a South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) University has also been approved by the Authority. According to this plan, 100 acres would be provided to the External Affairs Ministry for setting up the university.

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