The Hindu : New Delhi News : Small units allowed in residences

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Small units allowed in residences

Staff Reporter

Board imposes restrictions pertaining to environment, pollution

NEW DELHI: While allowing 127 household and small-scale industries in residential areas and village areas in green belts, the five-member Board of Enquiry constituted to consider the suggestions and objections to the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 has also imposed serious restrictions pertaining to environment and pollution norms on them.

A member of the Board and Municipal Councillor, Virender Kasana, said for the benefit of these units, the Board allowed some relaxations in the form of a 7.5 kw power connection instead of 5 kw planned earlier and the waiver of the provision of obtaining a licence from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

"I pressed for these two issues and the Board concurred," he said.

However, the norms would be very strict and it will not be easy to operate units in a no-holds-barred manner. As per the restrictive clauses, no polluting units would be allowed and the unit-owners will have to obtain certificates from both the Pollution Control Board and Industries Ministry of the Delhi Government.

Further, only 25 per cent of the area of a given residential building would be allowed for use as industrial.

"This would ensure that under no circumstances are the unit owners able to use the entire premises for industrial purpose," Mr Kasana said, adding that the maximum number of workers -- including the proprietor -- allowed per unit has also been kept at just five to retain the small nature of the units.

As the units would also not be allowed to use inflammable materials, gas stoves, hazardous chemicals and acids, the Board has ensured that the pollution from them is minimised.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, was also attended by Vice-Chairman of Delhi Development Authority Dinesh Rai, its Member Engineering A.K. Sain, and Commissioner Planning A.K. Jain. The Municipal Commissioner A.K. Nigam was the only member who did not attend the meeting.

Mr Kasana said the decisions taken at the meeting would be incorporated in the final Master Plan which would be sent to the Centre for approval. The Authority is expected to send the Master Plan to the Centre by this month end for its finalisation.

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