It doesn’t offer any solution to civic problems: RWAS

NEWDELHI: The Residents Welfare Associations are not pleased with the proposed changes in the Delhi Master Plan 2021, which are aimed at providing relief to city traders from the ongoing sealing drive. The RWAS say that the proposed amendments don’t offer any solution to the city’s civic problems.

“If the Delhi Development Authority relaxes norms to allow basements and added floor area ratio (FAR), do markets have the infrastructure to support the added traffic chaos?” questioned BS Vohra, president, East Delhi RWAS Joint Front.

“Also, what kind of arrange- ments DDA has made to deal with increasing burden on sewage system, drinking water supply and adherence of environment norms so that the residents living in the vicinity will not face the brunt? ” asked Vohra.

Greater Kailash I RWA member Rajeev Kakaria said, “Instead of buckling under pressure from traders, there should be a scientific calculation of conversion charge and transparency in use of the charges by MCD.”

More than local markets, RWAS are concerned about increasing commercialisation on residential lanes. “Commercial establishments are shifting from local markets to residential areas and main roads because here they need to pay less conversion charges (at the rate of ₹6,136 per square metre) in comparison to local markets (₹22,274 per square metre),” said Kakaria.

The RWAS demanded a ‘misuser pays’ policy and calculation of the conversion charges of violators accordingly.

One of the proposed amendments is to declare markets with no parking space as ‘pedestrian only’. “Branded showrooms, restaurants have replaced the grocery shops. Where will the people coming from far flung areas park their vehicles?” questioned Pankaj Aggarwal, general secretary of RWAS’ Joint Front. “Also, each market and residential area has different features and implementing a common plan is not a good idea,” said Aggarwal.