Delhi's Master Plan 2047 Proposes Regeneration of Older Colonies with Enhanced Infrastructure

Older colonies to get a new look; what could change for residents

Old government colonies, ageing housing societies and planned residential neighbourhoods in Delhi could get a major makeover under the “regeneration” framework proposed in the Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047). The plan, prepared by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), proposes allowing residents to pool properties and redevelop aging residential areas as larger, better-planned projects. A minimum area of 3,000 square metres has been proposed, with existing plots allowed to be merged or reconstituted to meet the requirement. The redevelopment could also mean more built-up space. Projects involving old and dilapidated residences could get construction rights of up to 1.5 times the base Floor Area Ratio (FAR), allowing residents to build more than under existing norms.

How could these colonies look after redevelopment?

The proposed changes go beyond replacing old buildings. Redeveloped colonies could have wider internal roads, better parking and upgraded civic infrastructure. Residents may have to give up portions of their land for road widening after new road plans are approved. In return, they could receive additional FAR credit on the remaining plots. Projects would also have to include modern infrastructure such as water-reuse systems, decentralised sewage treatment, waste segregation, renewable energy systems and multi-level parking. The idea is to transform fragmented, ageing neighbourhoods into better-planned residential areas with more living space and improved roads and amenities.

Government housing, DDA colonies also in the plan

Government and employer housing, including public sector staff quarters, could be regenerated through group housing projects. Some development norms could be relaxed, subject to approval from the central government. For group housing societies, including Cooperative Group Housing Society plots and DDA colonies, redevelopment would have to be undertaken collectively by resident welfare associations, societies or federations. Plotted residential colonies, including cooperative house-building, resettlement and rehabilitation colonies, could also be redeveloped through schemes under rules that are yet to be notified.

Which areas will be left out?

The regeneration framework would not cover urban villages, unauthorised colonies, slums, the Ridge, Yamuna floodplain, land-pooling areas or low-density areas. It would also exclude ASI- or NMA-protected zones, the Lutyens’ and Civil Lines Bungalow Zones, Connaught Place and its extension, and Transit Oriented Development areas. Overall, the proposal gives residents of older planned colonies a route to collectively rebuild ageing properties while potentially gaining more built-up space and upgrading roads, parking, water, sewage, waste management and other civic infrastructure.

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