Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath on Friday said the government would ensure regularisation of all the 1,639 unauthorised colonies in Delhi,of which 900 will be regularised soon. He also annouced that amendments to the Delhi Master Plan-2021 would allow higher floor area ratio (FAR) for colleges,hospitals,motels and green buildings. Stating that there was no option other than regularising such colonies,he said: The 1,600-odd colonies are an example of a wrong Master Plan. These colonies were constructed 30-40 years ago,and we cannot just throw these people out and displace them. We are against the principle of demolition if the area can be redeveloped. Several of the 700-odd colonies are on forest land or situated near a protected monument. This makes the regularisation process difficult. Nath said he would ensure regularisation of the remaining colonies. If necessary,we will go to court, he said. But he made it clear that the government would not regularise anything that had come up after 2007. He said the municipal corporations should make sure that no more illegal colonies come up in the city. On the 23 specific amendments to the Master Plan,which has been finalised,Nath said his ministry has taken initiatives to boost medical care in Delhi. It has set up a committee to explore ways for increasing FAR of hospitals. Why cant hospitals have 30 floors in place of the six allowed now,provided they have a good fire safety mechanism and adequate parking facilities? he said. The amendments include relaxing development control norms for educational facilities,particularly old colleges,allowing 100-bed hospitals on industrial plots and enhancing FAR from 400 sqm to 1,200 sqm for community areas,especially in group housing societies.
