Centre gives nod for amendments to master plan, allows increase in FAR
NEWDELHI: The Union ministry for housing and urban affairs on Thursday finally notified the modification to Master Plan for Delhi-2021, to allow a uniform floor-area ratio (FAR) and use of upper floors for commercial activities in local shopping complexes (LSCS), providing relief to thousands of traders from the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi.
The move has come a day after the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) approved the amendments to the master plan after hearing 817 objections and suggestions received from RWAS, traders associations and NGOS on the direction of Supreme Court and forwarded to the Centre.
“After carefully considering all aspects of the notification approved by the DDA, decision was taken to modify the Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021. Now as per norms, uniform FAR will be permitted in all shop-cum-residential plots and complexes. Similarly, the upper floors can be converted to commercial use after paying the applicable charges,” a senior government official, who did not wish to be identified, said.
The modification in master plans also permit basement in shop-cum-residence plots or LSCS.
“However, if the basement exceeds the permissible floorarea ratio of the plot, then such excess FAR shall be subject to payment of applicable charges prescribed with the approval of government,” the official said.
Liquor shops, bars, discos, pubs and clubs will not be allowed in the residential premises under mixed-land use area, according to the modifications.
Earlier on February 27, DDA had approved the amendments to MPD 2021 in its meeting held on February 27 and forwarded it to the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs.
However, the Supreme Court, in its May 15 order, directed Government of India to put up the modifications proposed by DDA in public domain for another two weeks, giving people the opportunity to give suggestions and raise objections to the proposed changes.
As per new norms, the amount collected through conversion, ‘use conversion’, parking charges and other charges will be credited to an escrow account and used exclusively for augmentation of infrastructure facilities and amenities such as parking, public toilets and water supply.
“Further, the local bodies will have to provide parking space to all LSCS. They can locate the land with the help of trader association or RWAS. The norms also allowed for 5% additional ground coverage within the planned area for the provision of public parking,” said the official.
And in case no plot is available, either a common parking would be developed in the vicinity or the market would be declared a pedestrian street. There are 106 local shopping complexes across the Capital.