DDA approves draft policy for ensuring development of green areas

NEW DELHI: With the aim of providing a framework for ensuring comprehensive sustainable development and defining minimum land area required for green development, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) approved the draft ‘Green Development Area’ or ‘GDA policy’ on Wednesday, February 10. The decision was taken during a meeting of the highest decision making body of the DDA, chaired by Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, who is also the chairman of the urban development body.

The GDA policy will provide a framework for development of areas falling in the green belt of the city or in the low density residential area (LDRA) as per the Delhi Master Plan 2021. The same shall be processed under Section 11A of the Delhi Development Act. The draft policy will be put up in the public domain for inviting objections and suggestions from the people, officials said.

These suggestions/objections will be placed in front of the Board of Enquiry and Hearing (BOEH). The suggestions made by the BOEH will be presented before the DDA for their approval and will then be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for notification, the officials said.

A statement from the DDA said that the policy will promote green development of localities and ensure seamless development of infrastructure and road network within and around the GDA. The policy will also mandate a three level approach for development of lands falling under GDA namely Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3. The minimum land required for green development under Grade 1 category will be 600 square metres (sqm); under Grade 2 will be 4,000 sqm; and under Grade 3 will be 10,000 sqm. The corresponding floor area ratio (FAR) prescribed under the policy will be 5, 20 and 60 for the three grades respectively.

The statement said that the policy allows for incentivised development on agglomerated land parcels of bigger size. It also enumerates permissible uses, activities, mix of activities, parking and other mandatory provisions,

The policy will also ensure that land owners undertake parameters related to green building, green infrastructure and zero discharge complexes while development of their land is being carried out. Incentives and disincentives have also been prescribed under the policy for those who follow/do not follow the guidelines.

Besides, the Authority also approved a proposal for change of land use from ‘recreational’ to ‘utility’ (U4) of 10.99 acres area for establishment of solid waste management facilities (for processing of construction and demolition waste) at Tehkhand, officials said.