Delhi’s Master Plan 2041

• The Delhi Development Authority has given its preliminary approval to the draft Master Plan for Delhi 2041.
• The draft is now in the public domain for objections and suggestions from citizens, after which it will be enforced.

• A master plan of any city is like a vision document by the planners and the land-owning agency of the city, which gives a direction to the future development.

• It includes analysis, recommendations, and proposals keeping in mind the population, economy, housing, transportation, community facilities, and land use.

• The draft of the Master Plan for Delhi 2041 comprises two volumes and 22 chapters, which seeks to “foster a sustainable, liveable and vibrant Delhi by 2041”.

• The first volume is an introduction, providing an overview of Delhi in present times, its global and regional positioning, estimates of population, and projections for 2041.

• The draft MPD presents a plan for the city for the next 20 years.

Tackle environmental pollution

• The draft plan aims to minimize vehicular pollution through key strategies, including a switch to greener fuels for public transport and adoption of mixed-use of transit-oriented development (also known as TOD).
• It also addresses improving the quality of water, which is taken from the Yamuna river as well as various lakes, natural drains, and baolis.
• The draft lays a clear boundary of the buffer zone near the Yamuna river and explores how to develop it.
• As per the plan, a green buffer of 300-meter width shall be maintained wherever feasible along the entire edge of the river

Difference between Master Plan 2041 & 2021 Master Plan

• The world has gone through a drastic change due to the pandemic, and the growing population has led to shrinking spaces and unemployment.
• The Master Plan 2041 aims to develop common community spaces to provide refuge spots, common kitchens, and quarantine space in an emergency.
• To improve the nighttime economy, the plan focuses on cultural festivals, bus entertainment, metro, sports facilities, and retail stores included in Delhi Development Authority (DDA)’s Night Life Circuit plan.
• It also proposes to reduce vulnerability to airborne epidemics through decentralized workspaces, mandatory creation of open areas, better habitat design, and green-rated developments to reduce dependence on mechanical ventilation systems.