The Indian Express               09.05.2013

DDA clears 26 new areas for development

Agency responsible for regularisation of farmhouses, civic amenities.

Twenty-six villages identified as 'low density residential areas' under the farmhouse policy have been declared development areas by the Delhi Development Authority. A resolution in this regard was passed at a DDA meeting on Wednesday.

This also means that the DDA will be responsible for regularisation of farmhouses and for providing civic amenities in these areas, moves that were opposed earlier by South Municipal Corporation.

"In order to ensure overall integrated development of urbanisable area under the recently approved land pooling policy as well as planned development of low density areas like farmhouses, country homes, etc, it had become necessary to declare villages identified as low density residential areas as development areas of DDA. This proposal was approved by the Authority on Wednesday,'' DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar said.

The DDA has drawn up a list of 26 villages for development under a policy that seeks to regularise farmhouses built before February 2, 2007, including built-up area beyond permissible limits, by levying penalty charges.

On the issue of sharing revenue from regularisation of these farmhouses — this was a major concern of the municipal corporation — a DDA official said "funds collected through levy for regularisation of existing farmhouses shall be shared by DDA and MCD as per modalities decided by the Centre".

In another development, city hospitals can now get more floor area ratio (FAR) based on the width of the right of way — of the road outside — and subject to no-objection certificates from agencies concerned.

Instead of categorising hospitals on the basis of area and population, the DDA said hospitals will now be categorised on the basis of available floor area per patient and there will only be one category known as 'Hospital' instead of the the existing system of categorisation under the Master Plan 2021.

"Change in the development control norms of hospitals is based on the recommendations of a committee on health care constituted by the Ministry of Urban Development under the chairmanship of Secretary, UD and was approved in the Authority," Neemo Dhar said.

"For plots on right of way (RoW) less than 24 m, FAR of 250 will be allowed. For plots on RoW from 24-30 m, FAR of 300 will be allowed and for plots on RoW above 30 m, the permissible FAR will be 375. But plots falling under the influence zone of major transport corridors like the Metro and BRT will be allowed 50 per cent more FAR,'' she said.

The DDA also approved change of land use — from utility to commercial — in the case of land measuring 27,000 sq m to facilitate development of a Dilli Haat in East Delhi by covering the Shahdara link drain of the Irrigation and Flood Department.

The Statesman                08.05.2013 

DDA to ensure overall development

NEW DELHI, 8 MAY: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), in its board meeting held today, decided to ensure overall integrated development of urbanisable area in MPD-2021 under the land pooling policy as well as planned development of the low density areas such as farm houses and country homes to declare villages identified as low density residential areas as ‘development area.’

"Though this proposal was approved by the authority subject to conditions that this will exclude the area falling under the regional park and green belt. The jurisdiction of identified unauthorised colonies are being regularised by Delhi government through regularisation plans to be prepared by corporation bodies. 

Development of village areas shall be as per village development plan," said a DDA spokesperson.

Funds collected through levy for regularisation of the existing farm houses shall be shared by DDA and civic bodies as per the modalities decided by the central government.

The DDA also decided to change in the development control norms of hospital based on the recommendations of a committee on health care constituted by the ministry of urban development under the chairmanship of secretary, UD, was proposed and approved in the authority.

"As per this proposal, the existing floor area ratio (FAR) of the hospitals will be augmented and will be based upon the width of the ROW and subject to NOC from all concerned agencies.  For plots on ROW less than 24 mtrs  FAR of 250 will be allowed whereas for plots on ROW from 24 to 30 mtrs FAR of 300 will be allowed whereas plot on ROW above 30 mtrs FAR 375 will be allowed," said the spokesperson.

But plots falling under the influence zone of mass rapid transit systems/ major transports corridors like Metro and BRT will be allowed 50 per cent more FAR. Instead of categorising hospitals on the basis of area and population the hospitals will now be categorised on the basis of available floor area per patient.

So, the existing system of categorisation will be changed and there will be only one category i.e. hospital. Parking requirements will also be met through podium parking and there will be provision of atrium etc. Ground coverage has been increased from 30 to 40 per cent.

This proposal though approved by the Authority will be processed for objection/suggestions under Section 11A of DD Act.

Arya opposes DDA decision on farm houses

NEW DELHI, 8 MAY: Leader of House in the South Corporation, Mr Subhash Arya, today opposed the decision taken by the High Powered Committee of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) under the chairmanship of Urban Development Minister to declare farm houses in villages of low density area as “Development Area” . Mr Arya said that after the foundation of DDA for the first time in history, this kind of decision was taken. Earlier, all farm houses and lands were under the jurisdiction of Corporation.

Including Mayor, Chairman Standing Committee, Leader of House and Leader of Opposition had met the L-G and opposed this decision of DDA. said Mr Arya. He said "the Congress-led Centre and State government are trying to take away all the rights and power of the Corporation."

He said, "We want our right over these farm houses and revenue generated by them back. It is the gimmick of Congress to weaken the financial power of Corporation." He demanded that if DDA will not release the fund, then BJP will work out other options of protesting this decision of DDA.