Will place Delhi Master Plan before DDA in Dec 2022: Centre tells SC

NEW DELHI: The Central Government has informed the apex court that they are planning to place the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) – 2041 before the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) highest decision-making body in the first week of December 2022. 

Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General, appearing on behalf of the central government, told the court that any modification in the draft MPD will be done before the last week of December. She also informed the court that the letter regarding the final approval and notification of MPD – 2041 would be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, by January 15, 2023.

The bench, consisting of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka, was hearing the pleas against the usage of the city’s residential area for commercial and industrial activities. 

The order of the Supreme Court issued on September 13 reads, “Even though the dates given are tentative, we expect these dates to be strictly adhered to as the matter cannot remain in limbo for ad infinitum. We are sure that the final Master Plan would be published on or before April 30, 2023.” However, senior officials of both the DDA and MoHUA refused to comment on the issue.

The court also constituted a two-member committee to hear challenges against the order passed by another committee appointed by the Supreme Court concerning the sealing of properties, demolition of unauthorised construction etc.