NEW DELHI: The Master Plan for Delhi-2021 is ready and would now be brought before the Delhi Development Authority meeting, to be chaired by Lieutenant-Governor on Wednesday. However, many of those involved in its preparation feel that the Master Plan "lacks vision'' and that it would end up doing more harm than good in the next two decades, by which time this historic city would have been ruined beyond repair.

While the document has been prepared after widespread consultations and hearing of objections and suggestions, it has caused more concern than happiness. "The land sharks have managed to run their writ in the preparation of the Master Plan. They have not only got numerous concessions through it for regularisation of irregularities, a lot of land has been left open for future encroachment near the borders in the name of green belt.''

The Master Plan stipulates that the land up to the depth of one peripheral village revenue boundary along the border of Delhi, wherever available, would be maintained as "green belt''. Member of DDA and Legislator Mahabal Mishra said "at a time when densification of the existing areas has been proposed to tide over shortage of space, it is difficult to comprehend what use such green land on the border would have for citizens of Delhi''.

With Haryana, that surrounds Delhi on three sides, declaring its areas on the border as residential, it would also be difficult to protect these "green belt'' from being sold by farmers for profit, especially since DDA would not be acquiring this land. And this would lead to more unplanned development.

As for housing, with a projected population of 230 lakhs in 2021, the Plan has estimated that an additional housing stock of 24 lakhs would be required. With 40 per cent of this being met through redevelopment and upgradation of existing areas, for the remaining 60 per cent new areas would be identified. Here too while private developers would be roped in to meet the demand, a member of DDA said the Authority has still not prepared the norms for their involvement. Moreover, there is no mechanism that ensures that this housing would go to those living in Delhi. "There are still people who own even six or seven flats and there is nothing in the Plan to stop this. Also, the private developers will sell to those with deep pockets, and many of them would be buyers living outside Delhi.''

With the Master Plan also not spelling how much office and commercial space would be created and where, or whether clean information technology and knowledge industry would be promoted in certain areas, many feel it has not lived up to its expectations of a vision document for making Delhi a truly "global metropolis and a world class city'' as it proclaims.

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