The Delhi government is working on a plan to regularize unauthorized colonies without demolition. Under this plan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has received and reviewed suggestions on the road network plans for three colonies: East Azad Nagar (East Delhi), Khidki Extension (South Delhi), and Swarup Nagar (North Delhi).
Around 140 suggestions were received from the public. These suggestions will now be sent to the Layout Scrutiny Committee and then to the Standing Committee for approval.
The key feature of this plan is that there will be no demolition of existing structures in these colonies. Instead, a rule will be made that any building plan approved in these colonies must be in accordance with the approved road network plan.
A MCD official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the plan is to regularize the colonies “as is”. The population density is so high that it is not possible to demolish and widen the existing lanes. Therefore, the plan is to not demolish properties that fall within the road widening ambit for now, but to implement the required lane width gradually as people come forward to seek permission for building construction in the coming years.
The official said that the maximum number of suggestions on the road network plan came from Khidki Extension colony, followed by East Azad Nagar and Swarup Nagar. The residents of Khidki Extension have objected to the proposal to make the minimum road width 6 meters, while the residents of East Azad Nagar have said that a lane that is already regularized has been included in the plan.
If this plan is implemented, it could pave the way for the regularization of about 2,000 unauthorized colonies in Delhi. It is worth noting that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has had the road network plan (RNP) prepared by the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) under the new layout plan. The MCD has been asked to implement it.
The plan was to regularize these colonies in accordance with the Master Plan, which would allow for the movement of fire brigade and other emergency vehicles. For this, it was proposed to widen the roads to a minimum of 6 meters, 9 meters, and 12 meters.
Benefits of the plan:
- Regularization of unauthorized colonies will provide basic amenities like water, electricity, and sewage to the residents.
- It will also improve the property rights of the residents, as they will be able to get their properties registered.
- The plan will also help in reducing the pollution levels in Delhi, as the wider roads will allow for better traffic flow.
Challenges:
- The biggest challenge in implementing this plan will be to get the approval of the residents of the unauthorized colonies.
- Another challenge will be to ensure that the new building plans are in accordance with the approved road network plan.
- The plan will also require a significant amount of funding from the government.
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