DDA changes rules; AAP, BJP compete to take credit

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday approved changes to the city’s Master Plan - in a move to provide relief to traders hit by the sealing drive.

The proposed amendments in the Master Plan include – increasing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of local shopping complexes (LSCs) from existing 180 per cent to 300 per cent, and regularising agricultural godowns on 12-metre wide roads.

The sealing drive is on against business establishments using residential areas for commercial purposes without paying conversion charges.

According to the proposed amendments, there will be a reduction in conversion charge penalties from existing 10 times to two times.

A statement from the development authority said that under these amendments, commercial activity in the basements will be allowed in all commercial areas “subject to payment of requisite charges without any discrimination”.

The decision was taken at a meeting headed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is chairman of DDA.

Meanwhile, both AAP and BJP on Friday took credit for changes made to the Delhi Master Plan 2021, aimed at providing relief to city traders from the ongoing sealing drive.

DDA member and AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, addressing party supporters after the meeting, said the changes happened due to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s “struggle”.

“It was due to AAP’s struggle that traders got this relief,” he said.

Meanwhile, DDA member and BJP MLA O.P. Sharma termed the changes to the Master Plan as a “historic decision by the central government” and alleged that Kejriwal was misleading traders on the sealing drive.