Delhi is embarking on a significant urban development journey with the implementation of the Delhi Master Plan 2047. This ambitious plan seeks to reshape how the city grows over the next two decades, shifting focus from horizontal expansion to vertical development and optimized use of existing land resources. With the capital’s population projected to swell from 2.26 crore to an estimated 3.20 crore by 2047, accommodating an additional 80 lakh people is a central challenge the plan addresses.
The Master Plan 2047 aims to alleviate pressure on housing, jobs, transportation, air quality, water resources, and overall quality of life. It introduces several key changes impacting residents and the city's future landscape.
Key Transformations Underway
Vertical Growth and Redevelopment
Given the limited scope for horizontal expansion across Delhi's 1,483 square kilometers, the plan emphasizes vertical growth and higher-density development. This means more multi-storey buildings will emerge, allowing for greater population accommodation within the existing urban footprint.
A significant focus is placed on the redevelopment of older housing societies, particularly DDA colonies and Cooperative Group Housing Societies (CGHS) built in the 1970s and 80s. Many of these face issues like aging structures, dampness, and inadequate parking. The plan facilitates their modernization:
- Societies with a minimum plot size of 3,000 square meters (or combined plots) can demolish existing structures and rebuild.
- They are permitted to construct 1.5 times the existing Floor Area Ratio (FAR), effectively allowing 50% more construction.
- Developers can sell these additional units, generating revenue to fund the redevelopment, meaning residents generally won't bear reconstruction costs.
- Crucially, the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) must consent to the redevelopment, ensuring resident involvement in the decision-making process.
New Urban Development Zones
To address land shortages and accommodate growth, 70 new villages within Delhi have been designated for urban development. These areas are expected to see large-scale real estate and infrastructure projects, potentially creating new residential and commercial hubs and helping to decongest the existing urban core.
Changes to Leasehold Properties and Yamuna Floodplain
The Master Plan also introduces provisions that could significantly benefit property owners. Leasehold properties, where the government retains land ownership, can now become freehold automatically if multiple leasehold plots are combined for a single redevelopment project, provided all outstanding dues are cleared. This could simplify ownership and increase property value for millions of residents.
Additionally, rules governing development along the Yamuna floodplain have been eased to some extent. This aims to facilitate stalled projects while still maintaining environmental considerations.
Push for Affordable Housing
A crucial aspect of the plan is its emphasis on affordable housing, particularly around major public transport hubs like Metro and RRTS stations. These areas are earmarked for high-density development, with a specific mandate: 65% of the total residential space developed in these prime locations must be reserved for smaller homes, defined as having a carpet area of less than 60 square meters (approximately 645 square feet). This initiative aims to provide accessible and relatively affordable housing in well-connected parts of the city where property prices are typically high.
In essence, the Delhi Master Plan 2047 is a comprehensive strategy to manage the city's rapid population growth by fostering vertical development, modernizing existing infrastructure, opening new development areas, and ensuring access to essential services and housing for all residents.