Indian Express 20.01.2010

Unauthorised colonies: Civic bodies to make layout plans

After the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) submitted a tentative list of 622 colonies that can be regularised, Urban Development minister A K Walia today directed the civic body to prepare the layout plans of these colonies within a month.

Of the 1,266 colonies that were issued regularisation certificates shortly before the Delhi Assembly elections in November 2008, only 622 were cleared on the basis of reports submitted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), MCD, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ridge department, the Forest department and the Revenue department.

The government had originally registered nearly 1,600 colonies for regularisation.

“We have asked the MCD and the DDA to expedite the layout plans and submit them within a month, even if it requires hiring a consultant,” Walia said.

The minister added that after the layout plans are prepared, the government would submit the list to the Ministry of Urban Development, which will further place it before the Delhi High Court for final approval.

The tentative list includes 150-odd colonies in Najafgarh, Mongolpuri and Uttam Nagar besides those in areas like Rajouri Garden Extension, Jaitpur Extension, Molarband Extension and Mandawli.

Unauthorised colonies like Sangam Vihar and around areas like Ambedkar Nagar, Lado Sarai, Tughlaqabad, Jamia Nagar and Zakir Nagar have not been cleared by the agencies. Of the 295 colonies in South Delhi, only 14 have been approved for regularisation so far.

We have to adhere to the norms set up by the Central government for regularisation. Many colonies are based around a protected monument, or a planned Masterplan road or the Ridge, which is a protected property. I have asked all agencies to reconsider the reports and work out a solution,” Walia said. The minister added that many Resident’s Welfare Associations (RWAs) have not submitted all relevant documents and completed other formalities so far. “I have also asked various agencies involved to coordinate with the RWA’s,” he said.

Deccan Chronicle 20.01.2010

Joined-cellars to beat space crunch

Hyderabad, Jan. 19: The combined and continuous parking concept may soon be a reality in Hyderabad if owners of complexes agree to the HMDA proposal. The new master plan for core city allows two different owners or builders constructing two different buildings to combine their stilt or cellar to create common parking area.

Town planners and urban developers say combined and continuous parking will enhance the parking area and contains traffic congestion owing to fewer number of entry and exit gates.

What’s more, buildings separated by a road can have a combined parking area by constructing a sub-way under the road. In such a scenario, even the road area below the ground can be used for parking.

The HMDA director (Planning), Mr A.V. Bhide, said the cost of sub-way and combining the parking area would have to be borne by the builders. “It is just a proposal that has been incorporated in the master plan and a final decision of retaining it will be taken based on the objections and suggestions from people,” he said.

Mr N.V. Ramana Rao, JNTU professor and expert in structural stability engineering, said the government should offer a plethora of incentives to promote such concept. “No, doubt, there is space crunch in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, but for people to come together for a combined parking, there must be some incentive,” he said.

The government should also promote construction of two to three levels for parking in each building, he said.

The AP Builders Forum president, Mr C. Shekar Reddy, welcomed the concept and said clear-cut benefits should be announced for the owners or builders taking up the new concept.