The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) have initiated public consultations for preparing the Master Plan for Delhi 2041. The roadmap, a visionary document for Delhi’s development in the upcoming two decades, replaces the previous Master Plan for Delhi which will expire in 2021. The former plan provided planning guidelines, policies, development code, and space requirements for diverse socio-economic activities.
Key Features of the 2041 Master Plan
The Master Plan 2041 emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity, and equity. The strategy aims to be proactive by considering current, emerging, and anticipated drivers of urban growth. The plan intends to fulfil various provisions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life On Land).
Area of Focus
The Master Plan has identified several areas of intervention such as creating a blue-green infrastructure, establishing cycling lanes, pedestrian walking circuits, and reducing density in unauthorized colonies. Plans also include developing spaces for yoga, active sports, open-air exhibitions, museums, information centres, and other low-impact public uses.
Blue-Green Infrastructure Policy
The policy points to an urban planning system where water bodies and land support each other’s growth while providing environmental and societal advantages. ‘Blue’ infrastructure refers to water bodies such as rivers, canals, ponds, wetlands, floodplains, and water treatment facilities, while ‘Green’ denotes trees, lawns, parks, fields, and forests. The DDA aims to remove all pollution sources by checking the outfall of untreated wastewater and removing existing pollutants.
Challenges and Issues
Delhi faces several problems including access to basic services like water and sanitation. The city struggles with issues around property legality, congested roads, conflict between commercial and residential uses, water logging, and questionable drinking water quality. Other hurdles include vulnerability to disasters like fire and earthquakes, and lack of coordination among multiple agencies such as DDA, Delhi Jal Board, Flood and Irrigation Department, and several municipal corporations.
Way Forward
The government needs to address the issue of multiplicity of agencies to improve coordination and cooperation. Strict adherence to plans for cleaning water bodies and drains, a long-standing challenge for Delhi’s agencies, is crucial. Regulating waste dumping in the Yamuna river is another important aspect that needs attention.