Amended Master Plan allows schools,nursing homes in residential area

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) The Urban Development Ministry today amended the Master Plan 2001, to allow guest houses, pre-primary schools, nursing homes, banks, fitness centres and professional activities in residential areas.

However to reduce public inconvenience, it barred operation of retail shops of building materials, coal, hazardous substances, automobile repair, storage, godowns, warehouses, junk shops, liquor, printing , dyeing and varnishing.

Accepting the amendments suggested by the Delhi Development Authority in the existing Master Plan on Tuesday, the Urban Development this evening notified the amended Master Plan 2001, providings for operation of public and semi-public facilities like guest houses, pre-primary schools, nursing homes, banks, fitness centres and professional activities by doctors, lawyers, architects and CAs under the purview of commercial activities in the residential areas.

However, the requirement of plot size for nursing homes has been reduced to 75 sq m.

The revised regulations also permit operation of clinics, dispensaries and pathology labs in 'E', 'F' and 'G' colonies on a reduced plot size of 50 sq m.

However, banquet halls will be permitted only in industrial and commercial areas and not in residential areas under the amended Master Plan.

Coaching centres and similar educational institutes will be permitted to continue till the end of the current academic year.

In the revised regulations, a number of commercial activities have been put in the negative list to ensure minimum inconvenience to residents. The activities include retail shops of building materials, firewood, coal, hazardous substances, automobile repair, storage, godowns, warehouses, junk shops, liquor, printing, dyeing and varnishing.

Also, in a substantial relief for the common man and small traders, the Union Urban Development Ministry, in the revised regulations , provided for a flexible mixed land use policy in the lower middle class colonies in Delhi while placing severe restrictions on commercial activities in posh colonies in the amended Master Plan 2001.

However, commercial activities in posh colonies, the 'A' and 'B' category colonies will be permitted on a specific request from the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) while those in 'C' and 'D' colonies, mixed land use will be permitted in consultation with the RWAs.

More UNI AR HS HT2127