New Delhi: In a bid to provide relief to traders hit by the ongoing sealing drive in the national capital, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), on Friday, amended the Master Plan 2021.
In the meeting chaired by lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal, the floor area ratio (FAR) was increased from 180 to 300 and agricultural godowns on 12-metre wide roads were regularised. The penalty amount for non-payment of conversion charges was reduced to two times from the current 10 times.
Notably, a sealing drive is going on against business establishments using residential areas for commercial purposes without paying conversion charges.
A statement from the development authority said that under the amendments, commercial activity in the basements will be allowed in all commercial areas “subject to payment of requisite charges without any discrimination.”
According to the modifications, the individual plots, which do not form part of any cluster, will be governed by the provisions of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 or the zonal development plans.
The meet also decided that parking will be provided in the commercial or residential areas as per the existing norms.
“The parking space is to be jointly provided by the concerned local bodies and concerned traders or the establishments in the vicinity. For the above purpose, 5 per cent additional ground coverage shall be permissible within the scheme area. In case there is no parking facility available in the vicinity, concerned local body may prepare appropriate model for declaration of such areas as pedestrian shopping street /markets/areas and shall be open to only public transport,” the DDA statement added.
Reacting to the development, DDA member and AAP MLA Somnath Bharti said, “It’s BJP’s duty to fill loopholes in the master plan as it is in power at the Centre and MCD. All legitimate demands of chief minister Kejriwal have been approved in the meeting. These demands will be put in the public domain.” The AAP has been demanding changes in the Delhi Master Plan 2021 to stop sealing in Delhi. Meanwhile, traders in Delhi called for a two-day bandh, starting Friday, to protest against the ongoing sealing drive.
