Title - Planning ahead for Delhi

Leading lights of the ongoing Delhi Master Plan-2021 review led by Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna and Delhi Urban Arts Commission chairman Raj Rewal discussed and debated the implications and suggestions to be incorporated in the finalised plan at a workshop here on Monday.Other prominent speakers at the workshop include Union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna, DDA Vice-Chairman S. K. Srivastava and DDA Commissioner (Planning) S. P. Bansal.While Mr. Nath fervently pitched for high-rises, Mr. Khanna said regularisation of illegal farmhouses by imposing a hefty fine was a good idea as they helped preserve green spaces in the Capital. He said redevelopment of unauthorised colonies and retrofitting of buildings in East Delhi along the Yamuna floodplains was necessary to ensure the sustainability of urban infrastructure.Mr. Khanna called on builders to seize the opportunity of undertaking redevelopment work in unauthorised colonies. He said the DDA’s new policy of transit-oriented development would focus on creating higher density mixed land use development around transportation hubs. The L-G said he was expecting the DDA to come out with a draft development plan on transit-oriented development by the year-end.However, most participants at the review disagreed with Mr. Nath’s suggestion of high-rise construction and Mr. Khanna’s views on the farmhouse policy.

Dr. Krishna reminded the planners that there was a need to synergise the activities of all agencies including the Delhi Metro, DUAC, National Highway Authority, DDA, MCD and the NCR Planning Board in reviewing the MPD-2021.

While Delhi Chief Secretary P. K. Tripathi praised the DDA for preserving the large green cover of the city, he said the agency had got embroiled in construction and failed to perform its planning mandate properly.

Mr. Srivastava, who recently took over as DDA vice-chairman, could be seen flitting from one expert group discussion to another and diligently taking notes. He later said this was to understand better the process undertaken by these groups and to help take the MPD review process ahead at a fast pace.

The organiser of the workshop, Dr. Bansal, laid down the broad framework under which the discussions in the four technical groups were undertaken. He reminded the groups to incentivise redevelopment of unplanned areas and focus on transit-oriented development.