Hans News Service New Delhi

Oldgovernment colonies, ageing housing societies and planned residential neighbourhoods in Delhi could get a chance to rebuild under a “regeneration” plan envisioned in the Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047).

The plan proposes a minimum area of 3,000 square metres for such projects, with plots allowed to be merged or reconstituted. MPD-2047 states that those taking up redevelopment of these old and dilapidated residences could get construction rights of up to 1.5 times the base Floor Area Ratio (FAR), broadly allowing more built-up space than currently permitted.

The provision would allow residents to come together and redevelop ageing properties with more living space, wider roads and better civic amenities, according to the plan prepared by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

For government and employer housing, including staff quarters of public sector units, regeneration could be taken up as group housing projects, with some development norms relaxed subject to central government’s approval. In group housing societies, including Cooperative Group Housing Society plots and DDA colonies, resident welfare associations, societies or federations would have to take up the redevelopment collectively.

Plotted residential colonies, including cooperative house-building, resettlement and rehabilitation colonies, could also be redeveloped through schemes under rules to be notified. New road plans would have to be approved before redevelopment begins.

Residents may also have to give up some land for road widening, in return for additional FAR credit on the remaining plots. The projects would also be required to provide modern infrastructure, including water-reuse systems, decentralised sewage treatment, waste segregation, renewable energy, multi-level parking and wider internal roads.

The provision, however, would not cover areas such as urban villages, unauthorised colonies, slums, the Ridge, Yamuna floodplain, land pooling and low-density areas, ASI- or NMA-protected zones, Lutyens’ and Civil Lines Bungalow Zones, Connaught Place and its extension, and Transit Oriented Development areas.