MoHUA modifies land pooling policy

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NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs notified the modified land policy on October 11, 2018. The policy would be applicable in the urbanisable areas of urban extensions in 95 villages of Delhi. The modified policy replaces the previous one notified in the year 2013. It aims at developing smart and sustainable neighbourhoods, sectors and zones, planned and executed as per the availability of water, power and other infrastructure.

The core of the policy also indicates the active role of private sector and farmers involved in assembling land and developing physical and social infrastructure. Owners or group of owners can pool land areas for development as per the given norms. Land areas of any size can participate under the policy. However, the minimum land to be pooled is 2 hectares to ensure adequate return of land for development and form a Developer Entity. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will play the role of a facilitator and the process of planning, pooling and development will be taken up by Developer Entities/Consortiums.

For a better planning and development of infrastructure, integrated Sector-based planning approach shall be followed. A minimum of 70 per cent contiguous land of the developable area within a sector, free of encumbrances is required to be pooled to make the sectors eligible for development under the policy.

Considering the availability of resources and services a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 200 is allowed for group housing/residential use under the policy. DDA has estimated that it is expected to generate about 17 lakh residential units out of which around five lakh residential units will be available under Economic Weaker Section (EWS) category, to house about 76 lakh persons.

External Development Charges (EDC) shall be payable on entire area of pooled land in instalments to cover the cost of providing city level infrastructure.

In order to promote affordable and inclusive housing, a FAR of 15 per cent over and above maximum permissible residential had also been allowed for EWS/ affordable housing.

(With inputs from PIB)