New Delhi: To curb unplanned growth and accelerate planned development of housing commercial and logistics infrastructure, Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2047 has introduced two new planning frameworks — High Density Corridor (HDC) and Low Density Area (LDA).The newly-introduced HDC policy, proposes compact, high-density and mixed-use development along the 75-km Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). The corridor will extend up to 250 metres on either side of the road, provided a secondary service road is available along the executed stretch.UER-II connects Dwarka, Najafgarh, Rohini, Mundka and Narela, besides other peripheral areas, effectively forming a ring around Delhi.Under the policy, DDA will prepare the road network plan, while private landowners and developers can participate in development, subject to prescribed conditions. An eligible HDC plot must have a minimum built-up area of 4,000 sqm. To create such a plot, landowners will have to surrender 50% of the original plot, which must have a minimum area of 8,000 sqm, for public facilities.The policy permits residential, commercial, public and semi-public, warehousing and logistics uses on plots. The permissible FAR is 400 for residential, commercial and public and semi-public uses, while it is 120 for warehousing and logistics.However, affordable housing will be mandatory, with 20% of the permissible FAR in residential, commercial and public and semi-public plots reserved for affordable housing.Experts, however, have raised concerns over inadequate civic infrastructure such as roads and drainage even as unplanned construction is already taking place.“Waterlogging is a common issue in these areas. Unless utilities are put in place, there is little point in approving plots for different uses,” said an expert.The HDC policy covers Planning Zones K-I, L, N, P-I and P-II and aims to improve connectivity, reduce travel demand and support planned, walkable growth along UER-II.The LDA policy, meanwhile, takes a contrasting approach, allowing limited development on large plots while retaining substantial green areas. It covers 69 villages within the peripheral revenue boundary and low-density areas earlier covered under the Green Development Area provisions of MPD 2021.Bhupinder Bazad, president of the maser plan committee of Delhi Dehat Vikas Manch said the policy will help in saving greens in Delhi as 50% green in every plot is mandatory. “Plots can be used for developing farm houses, residential units, resort etc but commercial use is restricted so far,” he said.The minimum plot size under LDA will be 4,000 sqm, with a minimum right of way of 12 metres. FAR will be 20 without additional charges and can go up to 30 on payment of additional charges.
