NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is implementing an eight-point development plan aimed at transforming the national capital into a sustainable and green city, with a focus on affordable housing, urban mobility, environmental sustainability and heritage conservation, officials said on Saturday.The roadmap was discussed at a recent meeting of the DDA’s Advisory Council, chaired by lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The meeting reviewed key urban challenges, including the gap between the demand and supply of affordable housing, the proliferation of slums and Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters, their relocation and rehabilitation, and the long-pending regularisation and redevelopment of unauthorised colonies. “The council adopted a four-pillar roadmap aimed at building a sustainable, green and liveable Delhi, with the Lieutenant Governor stressing the need for planned growth across housing, mobility, environment and heritage,” an official said.During the meeting, several key urban challenges were highlighted, including traffic congestion, pollution, urban flooding, heat island effects, the redevelopment of existing areas, and the planned development of land pooling and low-density zones. “Critical issues like the deterioration of heritage structures and water shortages that need immediate intervention for orderly growth of the city were also discussed,” official said further.’ Outlining the way forward, the LG said the vision rests on four key pillars. “On environmental sustainability, the focus will be on achieving the highest per capita green cover in the country, developing vibrant riverfronts, and creating an interconnected green and blue infrastructure network across the city,” he added.To improve the quality of life, the focus will be on strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring water security, and making roads safer for all users. “To strengthen Delhi’s economic and cultural identity, the plan envisages reviving business and trade by developing and redeveloping commercial markets and centres, creating modern logistics hubs, and leveraging the city’s heritage as both an economic and cultural asset,” the official said.To translate the vision into action, the council was briefed on a series of development plans across the city. These include Transit-Oriented Development across 207 square kilometres, while more than 200 sq km has been earmarked under the Land Pooling Areas for planned urban expansion.Developed residential areas currently cover around 700 sq km, while low-density zones span nearly 150 sq km. A 100 sq km riverfront development project in Zone-O is also underway.As part of its planned interventions, the DDA has proposed the redevelopment of the 24 sq km Old City, while the Bungalow Zone extends across 31 sq km. It has also identified a 20 sq km High Density Corridor to channel future growth along major transit routes.(With inputs from PTI)
