DELHI - 2021

A.K. Jain*

The Master Plan for Delhi was the first step towards modern
urban planning in India. The Master Plan for Delhi, 1962
(MPD-1962) aimed at integrated development of Delhi. The
MPD-1962 had been a pioneering attempt in comprehensive
city development.

Today Delhi is emerging as one of the largest Cities of the

World. From a settlement of 7 lakh in 1941, the population
of Delhi has grown to 138 lakh in 2001. As a result, there is a
phenomenal pressure on land, housing, transportation
network and services. Out of total area of 1483 sq.km.
about 50% has already been urbanised and the rest is under
heavy pressures or urbanisation.

To provide for the increase in population (about 5 lakh per

year) there is a need to develop about 2000 ha. of land
every year with about 1 lakh dwelling units, 200 km length of
roads, 30 lakh sq.mts. of offices and commercial space and
to provide 40 mgd of water and 300 mw of power every year.
For a projected population of 23 million in 2021, Delhi will
need additional about 1000 mgd water, 6500 mw power and
disposal of 10,000 tons of solid waste per day.
The Vision-2021:
• To make Delhi as a world class city, where all the
people are above poverty line and are engaged in
productive work.
• The infrastructure services are adequate & sustainable.
• A restructured city made by citizens.
• A modern eco-friendly city based on new technologies.
• A city to live and a humane city.
________________________________________________________________
*Commissioner(Planning), Delhi Development Authority
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Critical Issues and Response

The MOUD&PA in 2002 issued the Guidelines for Master
Plan-2021, which mainly focus on the following issues:
i) Land Policy: Evolving an alternative Hybrid Land
Policy for assembly and development of land.
ii) Decentralisation: Synergy between Regional
Plan and Delhi Master Plan to be strengthened.
iii) Containing Unplanned Development:
Unauthorised colonies to be effectively
incorporated in the mainstream of urban
development.
iv) Integrated Economic & Spatial Development:
Strategies to develop synergy between work
place, residence and transportation.
v) Transport Based Restructuring: Intensive
development along the metro corridors up to half a
kilometer depth with requisite infrastructure
development.
vi) Poverty Alleviation & Employment Generation:
Amelioration of existing Slum & JJ Clusters
through a judicious mix of relocation and in-situ
development. Promoting mixed land use and
informal sector of trade.
vii) Renewal and Regeneration: Permitting
redevelopment on self-managing basis by making
use of the incentive of higher FAR. redevelopment
of old and degraded areas.
viii) Infrastructure Services : Perspective Plans for
development of infrastructure to be framed in
coordination with the Government of Delhi /
service organisations, which are to be part of Delhi
Master Plan-2021.
ix) Implementation : Strengthening institutional, legal
framework for implementation and enforcement.
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x) Ecological Balance : Emphasis on development

of green cover, bio-diversity parks and protection
and conservation of heritage.

Accordingly, the provisions of land and services are being

worked out for an anticipated population of around 230 lakhs
for Delhi in the year-2021.

Towards a breakthrough

Resource based planning; Economic and Financial
dimension of Spatial Plans

Regeneration of dilapidated areas, Old City and in-situ
upgradation of Slum & JJ Clusters

Rejuvenation of work centres, shopping areas etc.

Recovery of river, water bodies, waste lands

Rehabilitation of slums, informal trade, non-conforming
industries.

Renewal of Old City for which an innovative development
control framework is being worked out.

Recharge of ground water and Recycling of wastes,
services

Review of controls, decision making systems and
procedures.

Removal of barriers to innovation and new partnerships

Replace outdated rules, regulations and procedures

Recognise market forces and peoples’ potential, Civil
Society as a resource.

Deregulate and Decontrol to mobilise investments and
promote enterprise.
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FOCUS STRATEGY AREAS

• The role of Govt. would be ‘Facilitator’ rather than ‘Provider’ as
envisaged in the National Housing and Habitat Policy 1998.

• A Multiple Housing Strategy to be adopted for accelerating

provision of Housing Stock involving private sector, public
agencies, cooperative societies etc.

• Stimulating land supply for increased housing stock through

innovative land policy instruments and modified planning
mechanisms.

• Ensuring provision of 40%-50% of total housing stock at city level

for economically weaker sections and lower income group.

• Effective regularisation of eligible unauthorised colonies through

formation of cooperative Societies.

• In-situ redevelopment of JJ Clusters.

• Redevelopment of Housing in Inner City Neighbourhood:

- Participatory approach involving private sector/stakeholders.
- Adopting reduced space norms for provision of essential
infrastructure through transfer of development rights (TDR).
- Generating land for redevelopment through incentives of FAR,
and mixing of remunerative uses.
- Technological appropriation for water, sewage, drainage and
waste management.

• Special housing for vulnerable population groups (Hostels for

singles, elderly, handicapped, etc.).
• Norms for decentralized services at layout and premises levels.
• Modifying planning norms of use zoning, use permissibility,
density, building controls, etc.
• Hybrid land policy integrating large scale land acquisition with land
pooling and Transferable Development Rights (TDR).
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ANNEXURE-1

GROUNDTRUTH ASSESSMENT AND STUDY OF BASELINE

TRENDS

DELHI – Population Growth

Year POPULATION (IN DECADAL

LAKHS) GROWTH RATE
(%)
1961 26.6 52.5
1971 40.7 52.9
1981 62.2 53.0
1991 94.2 51.5
2001 137.8 46.3
2021(projected) 230.0 26.4

Number of Districts 9

Area 1483 sq.km.

Total Population (2001) 13,782,976

Population Density (Per Sq. Km.) 9,294

Sex ratio 821

Literacy rate 82%

NDMC Area 4274 Ha.

Delhi Cantt. Area 4297 Ha.

DMC (Urban) 43,109 Ha.

Number of worker participation rate:
LABOUR FORCE IN LAKHS
MALES FEMALES TOTAL AS % OF
Year
TOTAL
POPULATION
1991 27.1 3.5 30.6 32.5

2001 39 6.1 45.1 34.9

2021 65 14.4 79.4 38.1

• Increase in Participation rate from 32% in 1991 to 35% in 2001.

• Increase in female work force from 3.5% in 1991 to 6.1% in 2001.
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ANNEXURE-2

LAND

URBANISABLE LAND IN DELHI

S.No. Land Area (ha.) % to total
area (ha.)
1. Total Geographical Area – NCT, 1,48,300 100
Delhi
2. Built up area (As per IRS IC 70,162 47.31
LISS III Satellite data – 1999)
3. Natural features to be 19,509 13.16
conserved (Forest Wild Life
Sanctury, Ridge Yamuna and
Other Water Bodies/Drains)
4. Sub-Total (Built-up + Natural 89,671 60.47
Features)
5. Balance land available in NCR 58,629 39.53
– Delhi
6. Proposed land for urbanisation 27,629 18.63
7. Total urbanisable area 2021 97,791 65.94
(including built up area 1999)
Population which can be accommodated in 97,790.90 ha. @ 225
PPH = 220 lakhs
Source: NCRPB

For planned development and to avoid delays and litigation in

land acquisition, it is necessary to seek a suitable alternative to the
past policy of large scale acquisition and disposal of land. The
approach should be able to mobilise the private sector in urban
development and housing, while giving due regard to the interests of
the poor migrants.
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ANNEXURE-3
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

WATER SEWERA POWER SOLID

(MGD) GE (MGD) (MW) WASTE
(TONS/DAY)

REQUIREME 1096 877 3265 7100

NT (2001)
AVAILABILITY 785 512 2352 4900
(2001)
PROJECTED 1840 1472 8800 15750
REQUIREME
NT (2021)
ADDITIONAL 1055 960 6448 10850
REQUIREME
NT