What is the issue?
- Supreme Court has stayed the notification of amendments to the Delhi Master Plan 2021 – for not declaring the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
- The prime question was on - whether issues such as safety, traffic, parking, and civic amenities were considered before the amendments were cleared.
What is the case about?
- The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the body created by an Act of Parliament in 1957 “to promote and secure the Development of Delhi”.
- It frames the Master Plan that lays down the guidelines, policies, and space requirements for various socio-economic activities for the city’s population.
- The Master Plan is also the basis for all infrastructure requirements of city and DDA is currently working on its outlay for the year 2021.
- Affidavits on the “Environment Impact Assessment” with considerations for the amendments to the 2021 plan weren’t filed by the concerned authorities.
- Hence, Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the 3 Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCDs), have been flanked by the Court.
Why where these amendments put forth?
- A Supreme Court-mandated “sealing drive” is currently underway, and establishments are being sealed for various real-estate violations.
- The proposed amendments were hence made due to pressure from owners of commercial establishments who were facing the prospect of closure.
- Notably, all political parties were all under severe pressure from trader groups in order to stop the sealing drive as businesses were taking a massive hit.
- Due to the urgency, a mere five-day public hearing was undertaken to discuss the amendments with trader bodies, resident groups and other stakeholders.
- While complete consensus wasn’t achieved, a compromised version now awaited notification by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- If notified, these amendments would have become part of policy but the SC decried these actions as it seems to be made with utter disregard for principle.
What are the proposed amendments?
- The amendments include increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and reduction of conversion charges, and allowed the amalgamation of plots for parking.
- Notably, while the current FAR is 180 (per 100) for local shopping centres, the amendment intends to make it 350, which is the standard for residential plots.
- Due to pressure from many Resident welfare associations (RWAs), provisions were made for shutting bars and pubs in residential areas.
- Another amendment sought to make certain markets pedestrian-only, if newly authorised commercial establishments could not provide parking facilities.
- Fire and other safety concerns were also raised by residents regarding allowing commercial units to function from basements.
- But as the amendments were rushed up by the authorities due considerations weren’t given to all aspects in a holistic manner.
- Hence, Supreme Court has flagged various important issues like safety, and parking space for further brainstorming and has currently stalled proceedings.
Quick Facts
Floor area ratio (FAR)
- FAR is the ratio of a building’s total (gross) floor area to the size of the land on which it stands.
- A higher FAR translates into a taller building.
Source: Indian Express
