Weigh in on 2041 Master Plan: DDA
NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has sought suggestions from the public for the city’s new vision document, Master Plan of Delhi-2041.
The move comes months after the DDA and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), which has been roped in by the DDA to prepare the MPD-2041, held a two-month-long public consultation last year.
A senior DDA official said this is being done to ensure maximum participation from the public before the draft of MPD2041 is prepared. “People can give their suggestions and share their ideas about what kind of the city they want Delhi to be,” said the official. DDA on January 6 also tweeted along with a link of the form for suggestions.
In the form, DDA has asked people about the issues they face currently which they want to be addressed in the next vision document. The land-owning agency has also asked people to list five important things they must address to ensure planned and sustainable development of the city. DDA officials say that no deadline has been set so far.
From commercialisation due to mixed land use to poor implementation of MPD-2021 to frequent amendments in the plan to regularise “illegal” developments, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAS) say the next master plan should take into account “ground realities” and provide solutions to local problems.
In the last 14 years, when mixed land use was allowed, RWAS say it has led to commercialisation of residential areas.
Rajiv Kakria, convener, Save Our City campaign and a resident of Greater Kailash-i, said, “It has destroyed the residential character of neighbourhoods. Today, safety and security has become our utmost concern due to rampant commercialisation of residential areas. We don’t know who is entering our areas. It has destroyed the social fabric. Our priority is that residential, industrial and commercial areas should have dedicated space.”
BS Vohra, president of East Delhi RWA joint front, said, “Apart from mixed land use, the new Master Plan should also focus on making the city roads more pedestrian friendly. There is an urgent need to find a solution to the problem of traffic congestion.”
Traders’ associations on the other hand want planned commercial spaces and a solution to the problem of sealing.
Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, Confederation of All India Traders, said, “Development of commercial space has not kept pace with the city’s growth. There is a need to provide planned commercial spaces and protect businesses from sealing and demolition action.”
NGOS and experts working for the welfare of under-privileged people in turn want the DDA to reach out to these people also.
Shalaka, coordinator of ‘Main Bhi Dilli’ campaign, and member of Indo-global Social Service Society, a voluntary organisation, said, “There is a need to organise outreach programme so that people living in unauthorised colonies and slum clusters also get a chance to give their inputs. They will not be able to fill-up the form online.”