Delayed by three years and pending for approval with the Union government for over a year, the Delhi Master Plan-2041 could miss yet another target: its notification within the first 100 days of the third term of the NDA government, say sources. The final version of the Master Plan had been sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) “more than a year ago”, according to sources in the Delhi government. Bureaucratic sources attributed the delay to the “prolonged absence of senior officials at the Centre”, particularly in the MoHUA, between late 2023 and mid-2024. Before the Lok Sabha elections in March, all Ministries had been asked to draw up their agendas for the first 100 days of the new government. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers were sworn in on June 9, the Ministries began implementing the agendas. On the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ agenda was the “release of Delhi Master Plan 2041”, which would govern Delhi’s urban planning for a period of 20 years (2021-2041). With 10 days to go for the 100th day since the central government took power (September 17), government sources say the plan is still under consideration. The Delhi Development Authority submitted the final plan to the Ministry for approval and notification on April 13 last year. The Master Plan-2041 is crucial with regards to urban planning and related infrastructural projects such as in-situ rehabilitation of slum clusters and the regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the Capital, among others. “The plan has been under submission for long; it may likely be notified only around the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in 2025,” a DDA source said. “. The proposal of the draft MPD-2041 has been approved by DDA in its meeting held on 28.02.2023. Thereafter, DDA forwarded the proposal to the Ministry on 13.04.2023 for approval of the government of India for issuance of final notification of MPD-2041. The Ministry has not taken a decision,” MoHUA had informed the Lok Sabha in response to a question by West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on August 8. Sources in the MoHUA say the decision is still pending. When reached for comment, a spokesperson in the Ministry did not respond. A DDA spokesperson did not comment when asked about the status of the Master Plan, saying that "it has been submitted to MoHUA”. While hearing a matter on unauthorised and illegal use of residential premises for commercial or industrial purposes, the Supreme Court had in September 2022 given the government till April 30, 2023, to issue a notification. Drafted under the DDA Act, of 1957, the first master plan for Delhi was promulgated in 1962, followed by master plans of 2001 and 2021. As per the draft plan published by DDA in 2021, the key focus areas for the Master Plan-2041 are improving the quality of green spaces, conservation of water, shift to renewable energy, and last-mile connectivity, to name a few. The plan adopts mixed land-use development so that land is utilised in an optimal manner. “This will provide the required flexibility for improving the availability of facilities within existing areas, thereby ensuring optimal utilisation of land. Mixed-use development will also lead to a reduction in trip lengths, vibrant and safer public areas,” the draft says.
