The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) published the draft proposal for the Delhi Master Plan (MPD) 2041 on Wednesday, prompting public opinion and objections to do so. During the next 45 days, every citizen can submit his or her proposals for the draft directive.
The 487-page document addresses several issues that will affect the city in the years to come. It emphasizes sustainability, be it ecological, infrastructural or financial.
The vision document for the next twenty years has already sparked discussion about some of its proposals. India Today spoke to experts from various fields to understand their views on the draft directive and its implications.
AND JAIN – URBAN PLANNER
AK Jain, former city planner at DDA, said the introduction of a surveillance system with an online database to coordinate between different entities operating in Delhi such as the city companies, the Delhi Jal Board, the central and state government, etc. would be a welcome addition.
Jain also said the focus on sustainability is a good sign. “We never thought about environmental issues like CO2 emissions before, but this time these are included in the draft directive. The policy also mentions becoming a sustainable city to meet the needs of the youth. Profitability is another aspect that the master plan speaks of. The city’s nightlife can offer commercial opportunities to various professionals, ”he said.
But Jain also has some reservations about politics. According to him, the future population of the city was carelessly forecast. The document predicts that Delhi will have a population of 29.2 million by 2041.
He also pointed out that the master plan mentioned a requirement of 34 lakh housing units. While 17 lakh units are made under the land pooling policy, the policy is silent about how the other 17 lakh units are made by redeveloping land, Jain said.
RAJEEV SURI – MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Rajeev Suri, a civil society advocate for urban sustainability and environmental issues, was more critical of politics.
Suri said, “I will give credit to the DDA for prioritizing the environment and proposing sustainable development with environmental prospects. But there is a whole different story within the directive. “
“The draft directive speaks of development in the green area as well. This will increase the footprint in areas that should remain untouched. Agricultural land will now also be available for residential purposes under the land pooling policy. This urbanizes open spaces, ”he added.
MPD 2041 has a separate chapter about traffic-oriented developments. According to Suri, this will increase compaction and continue motorized traffic. He also criticized the policy of not including electric vehicles in their plan.
“Electric vehicle charging stations need land, but no provision has been made for that in the master plan,” he said.
Finally, Suri said that the master plan speaks of cultural heritage and waste management, but does not suggest any concrete steps for it.
PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL – TRADING GUIDE
Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders, was positive about the draft directive. He said a cursory look at the proposal shows that MPD will radically change Delhi’s development norms in 2041.
He said: “In addition to ensuring that existing commercial activities run smoothly, the provision to allow commercial activity in industrial areas will certainly provide more business opportunities in a systematic and regulated manner.
“This master plan differs from the previous master plan in many ways. It has focused heavily on increasing IT activities, providing the service sector with more opportunities, promoting a green environment, providing affordable housing to weaker areas, expanding the hospitality sector and preserving Delhi’s ancient heritage, ”added Khandelwal added.
However, DDA intends to relocate many wholesale markets but did not disclose any details in its master plan. “It is very important to have a clear and time-bound market relocation policy in place,” he said.
Additionally, Khandelwal believes that facilities such as farmhouses and banquet halls should be given some impetus as they are part of the hospitality industry and provide affordable venues for city gatherings.
PANKAJ AGARWAL – GEN SEC, RWA
While retailers seem satisfied with the master plan’s commercialization initiatives, the Citizens Welfare Associations (RWA) disagree.
Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary General of the RWA Community Front in Delhi, criticized the “overemphasis on commercialization” of the master plan.
“The character of the city is traditional and mostly residential. But now the DDA is more interested in bringing in a pro-commercial master plan. Also in 2006-2007, when the 2021 master plan was drawn up, too much influence was given to commercial businesses. The trend can also be seen in MPD 2041, ”Agarwal said.
“We’re asking for more space for community requirements, but DDA never gives us that. At the same time, more than 200 changes were made to the MPD 2021 to relieve commercial institutions, ”he said.
Various groups are currently examining the provisions of the MPD 2041 draft directive in detail. They send their suggestions within 45 days. Thereafter, DDA will review all objections and suggestions before issuing a final notified vision document for the next 20 years.
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