The Hindu 01.11.2014
Ministry asks DDA to expedite mid-term review of Master Plan
The Ministry of Urban Development has asked the Delhi
Development Authority (DDA) to expedite the process of mid-term review
of Master Plan Delhi-2021. This is in pursuance of the direction of
Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu to ensure notification of
changes required by the end of December 2014.
The
progress in respect of the mid-term review by the DDA was on Thursday
reviewed by Secretary (Urban Development) Shankar Aggarwal, DDA
vice-chairman Balvinder Kumar, additional secretary (UD) Durga Shankar
Mishra and senior officials of agencies concerned, including the Delhi
Fire Service.
Mr. Aggarwal directed the DDA to place
the chapter on environmental issues in public domain by November 3 to
invite suggestions and views.
It was decided in the
meeting that since by convention, rules applicable to Lutyens’ Bungalow
Zone are applicable to Zone-D, the DDA will take the approval of
Authority for Zonal Development Plan for Zone-D accordingly.
The
issue of municipal agencies and the Delhi Fire Service not allowing
construction beyond 15-m height despite a provision of 7.50-m height in
the Master Plan was discussed. Delhi Fire Service officials have
informed that under the relevant Act, they were required to go by the
National Building Code, which refers to a maximum height of 15 m for
construction. The fire service and the agencies he concerned were asked
to move a proposal to the Ministry for resolving the issue.
Master
Plan Delhi-2021, which was notified in February 2007, was to be
reviewed within five years, keeping in view the changes during that
period. The mid-term review started in 2011, but could not be concluded
so far. Further to the mid-term review, changes in the Master Plan will
be notified with the approval of the Ministry of Urban Development.
Last
month, Mr. Naidu, had taken a serious view of the delay in concluding
the mid-term review and directed the Ministry officials to ensure that
this exercise was completed quickly and ensure notification of results
of the review by the end of December 2014.
