Delhi LG approves Master Plan 2047, clears push for affordable housing

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday approved the Delhi Master Plan 2047, paving the way for increased affordable housing and restricting concrete construction in the core area of the Yamuna floodplain. The plan, earlier being prepared as MPD 2041 following the expiry of MPD 2021, has been renamed MPD 2047 to align it with the Centre's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. At a meeting chaired by Sandhu, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) also approved amendments to the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL)-2016 to simplify the process of obtaining building plan approvals. The amendments seek to remove the requirement for no-objection certificates from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Chief Inspector of Factories, Delhi Jal Board and Forest Department for building permits. Officials said the move would reduce the compliance burden and improve Ease of Doing Business.

Push for affordable housing

With Delhi's population expected to grow substantially by 2047, the Master Plan seeks to increase housing supply through the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy, which facilitates higher-density development along Metro, railway and other major public transport corridors. Sources said around 17 lakh dwelling units could be developed under the TOD policy over 10 years. The plan will also facilitate large-scale development in greenfield areas through the land pooling model.

In July, the DDA opened applications for Developer Entities under its TOD policy. The corridor-based framework covers around 207 sq km, extending 500 metres on either side of Metro corridors and within a 500-metre radius of RRTS and railway stations, with affordable housing among its principal objectives. To further increase housing supply, residential high-rises within 250 metres on either side of Urban Extension Road-II may also be included under MPD 2047. Under the Land Pooling Policy, the DDA will develop road networks wherever the right-of-way is 30 metres or more.

Yamuna floodplain protected

The Master Plan also proposes stricter development controls for the Yamuna O-Zone. The O-Zone will be divided into two parts. No concrete structures will be permitted in the core area of the Yamuna floodplain, while only limited recreational development, such as parks, will be allowed in the second part.

Sources said MPD 2047 also envisages developing additional green areas across 174 villages in the national capital. Sandhu said the new Master Plan would provide a roadmap for “sustainable and inclusive urban growth” while promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living and creating a cleaner and greener capital. The plan will now be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval and subsequent notification.

Redevelopment policy cleared

The DDA also decided to introduce a uniform policy for redevelopment of old two-storey residential units constructed by the authority.

Several such housing schemes were developed under MPD-1962 and comprise two-storey units built on individual plots. Many are now more than 50 years old and face structural deficiencies.

While vacant residential plots already have redevelopment guidelines under existing Master Plan norms, built-up two-storey properties did not have a uniform framework.

Following the latest approval, these two-storey units will receive redevelopment rights on a par with vacant residential plots. Officials said the number of flats in such residential developments could also be increased as part of redevelopment projects.

Delhi's first Master Plan was promulgated in 1962 under the Delhi Development Act, 1957, followed by Master Plans for 2001 and 2021. The plans have traditionally provided a long-term framework for the planned urban development of the national capital.