Looking forward for sustainable Delhi
A master plan is generally a long term perspective plan which would be applicable for at least 20 years. The Delhi Master Plan aims to assure green belts in the city to stay and to protect the legacy foundation of Delhi.
The Master Plan for Delhi 2021, prepared by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and approved by the central government is consistent with the provisions of Delhi Development Act, 1957. It lists out works need to be done in the next 20 years in a phased manner, though the designs and estimates are prepared approximately.
The MPD-2021 is based on the long term vision statement ‘to make Delhi a global metropolis and a world-class city, where all the people would be engaged in productive work with a better quality of life, living in a sustainable environment.’
Planning
Proper planning is the cornerstone for any development, particularly in case of large cities like Delhi, where population growth is mounting. Urban planning is the key to develop sustainable cities. The city has adequate assets as well as a strong foundation to support the expansion of the city in line with the growing number of population.
The steps followed to accelerate the formation of manageable urban communities have to be increased with the help of satisfactory and maintainable human settlements and administration to speed up urbanisation.
Rapid urbanisation
With urbanisation taking place at a rapid rate and many people relocating to cities, urban areas have started expanding. This creates a need for proper urban arrangement and influence. But in case if the urban framework is not available, these newly emerged areas fail to face the issues arising from spurting urban slums, illegal structures, squats and casual settlements.
Plans prepared earlier
The civic authority had prepared the Master Plan of Delhi in 1962 taking up the authorization of the Delhi Development Act 1957. It was considered to be one among the first steps towards advanced arranging in India. It was ready with a view of 20 years. But in order to make it able to address the concerns rising from the changing requirements of the city, it was revised later and sanctioned by the government in 1990. The plan was referred to as the ‘Master Plan 2001’.
Master Plan 2021
After few years, again the Government planned to revise the Master Plan 2001 to improve the urban plan that was reconciled with the expected need of lodging in the city. After alterations, the plan regarded as the “Master Plan 2021”, was declared by the authorities on 07 February 2007.
Three years extension
After passing the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Bill, 2011, the due date of finalizing related policies was increased for three years to 31 December 2014.
The urban development ministry plans to make use of the extended time duration to survey the Master Plan 2001. It aims to change it to represent an urban plan that goes well with the fast growing population of the city in the next 25 years.
In addition, the master plan aims to develop sustainable Delhi. However, the actual execution is not an easy thing. One has to wait and watch to see if the end goal of the Master Plan is going to be a success or to what extent it would be successful.
