MPD 2021: Jubilation among Cong, traders; BJP critical

New Delhi, Feb 8 (UNI) It was jubilation all around following the notification of the 2021 Delhi Master Plan by the Centre last night and regularisation of unauthorised colonies in Delhi by the Union Cabinet today with the Congressmen describing it as ''a welcome culmination'' of the year-long efforts by the party to bring relief to people of the city from sealing and demolition.

The notification of the Delhi Master Plan also caused elation in business circles with the Confederation of All India Traders terming it as a "respiratory document" for traders.

A jarring note was, however, caused by the Opposition BJP in Delhi which described it as a ''political document'' issued for the sake of votes.

Welcoming the notification of the Delhi Master Plan, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Rambabu Sharma said the MPD 2021 would open doors for the all round development of Delhi.

Talking to reporters here, he said the Master Plan is a result of the popular policies of the Congress.

So, while on the one hand the Master Plan provides relief for nearly 30 lakh residents of nearly 1500 unauthorised colonies, on the other hand it also includes provision of several programmes designed to beautify Delhi and make it a World class city.

Mr Sharma said that of the 1500 unauthorised colonies regularised by the Union Cabinet today, no development charge would be levied on structures build over private land while those built on Government land would have to pay development charges.

He said the MPD 2021 has a provision for building flats for slum dwellers near their original hutments. Also, it allows shops in DDA flats to operate.

Mr Sharma said keeping in view the paucity of parking space in Delhi, the MPD had made provisions for multi-level parking. Besides, the Master Plan also included provisions to promote IT industry, improve the traffic situation as well as the power, water and sewerage sytem.

He said the Master Plan had been prepared keeping in view the gound realities in Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the MCD Standing Committee Jai Kishen Sharma said with the Master Plan including in its purview the 2183 roads notified as commercial and mixed use roads under the September 15 notification, the nearly four lakh traders having shops on these roads would be freed from the ''Democles sword of sealing.'' And, with the MCD expected to notify in a week's time another 1000 roads in Delhi as commercial and mixed use roads, over 95 per cent of traders would get relief from sealing, he said.

A celebratory mood prevailed in the DPCC office with several Congress activists and common people arriving there to offer their thanks to the Congress leaders for ensuring the notification of MPD 2021 in time.

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