‘Residents against commercial use of basements, rise in FAR’
SEALING DRIVE DDA receives around 100 suggestions from public, traders on proposed amendments to Master Plan
NEWDELHI: In response to the public notice inviting suggestions and objections to proposed amendments to the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said it has received around 100 responses from individuals and resident bodies and traders associations as of Monday evening.
A senior official of the land owning agency, privy to the matter, said that residents are primarily objecting to the proposals that allow commercial use of basement, conversion of stretches in residential area into mix land use, and permitting more floor area ratio (FAR).
“Their (residents) view is that permission for commercial activities i n basement and increased FAR would spell chaos in residential areas as loading and unloading of goods and parking is going to end up being an issue. They want to know whether the declaration of roads as mixed land use is based on some study,” said the DDA official who did not wish to be named.
While resident welfare associations have flagged possible nuisance because of commercial activities in residential areas, several others (including traders) have sent suggestions demanding a uniform floor area ratio, the official said.
“Scores of respondents have suggested enhancement of FAR even in those areas which are not eligible. There are also varieties of submissions on conversion charges. So far, we have received more than 100 responses. We will give them an appropriate opportunity to present their case during public hearing on February 8,” the official said.
On Monday, the DDA extended the deadline for submitting public views on modifi- cations in MPD. The suggestions objections to the proposals can now be submitted till February 7 before the amendments are notified by the ministry of housing and urban affairs.
“The suggestions and objections can be sent for two more days before the board of inquiry hears them. This hearing is likely to be held on February 8,” said another senior DDA official.
The DDA on Friday approved proposals to provide uniform FAR for shop-cum-residential complexes, reduce penalties and regularise agricultural warehouses by amending the MPD.
The move was aimed at providing relief to traders hit by a sealing drive on commercial establishments across the National Capital since December 15.
The agency had sought public views on the amendments in three days, which included Saturday and Sunday.
“Our offices were open on Saturday and Sunday. But we did not receive many objections and suggestions on those days. It may be that people did not know that our offices would remain open on the weekend. Hence we have decided to extend accepting suggestions for two more days,” he said.
The Union housing and urban affairs ministry had on Wednesday reduced the period for public scrutiny of changes in the MPD from 45 days to three.
Officials of the city’s three municipal corporations are supervising a sealing drive across Delhi that started in January in accordance with instructions from a Supreme Court-appointed panel.
Shops and restaurants that have not paid conversion charges — the premium for converting residential premises into commercial property — or have flouted permitted FAR norms were being sealed.