Delhi Master Plan 2047 cleared with affordable housing push, Yamuna land curbs

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday approved the Delhi Master Plan 2047, setting the stage for a higher supply of affordable housing and a ban on concrete structures in the core area of the Yamuna floodplain. The plan, earlier being worked on as MPD 2041 after the end of MPD 2021, has now been recast to align with the central government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.At a meeting chaired by Sandhu, the Delhi Development Authority also approved changes to the Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2016, to simplify the building plan approval process. Officials said the move is aimed at cutting the compliance burden, reducing procedural delays and enabling faster project approvals.Under the amendments, applicants will no longer need no-objection certificates from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Chief Inspector of Factories, Delhi Jal Board and the Forest Department for building permits, officials said. They said this was intended to improve Ease of Doing Business.To shape the capital over the next 20 years, the new master plan is expected to increase housing supply under the Transit-Oriented Development policy, which allows high-rise construction along Metro and rail corridors. "With Delhi’s population projected to grow significantly by 2047, under the TOD policy in the 10 years around 17 lakh dwelling units will be developed. Large-scale development of sectors in the greenfield areas of the city using the model of land pooling will be part of new MPD," sources said.In July, the DDA opened applications for Developer Entity under its TOD policy. Its corridor-based approach covers 207 square kilometres, including 500 metres on either side of Metro corridors and a 500-metre radius around RRTS and railway stations, mainly for affordable housing. To further narrow the gap in dwelling units, residential high-rises in the 250-metre area on either side of Urban Extension Road II may also be included in MPD 2047.The DDA also approved a split in the Yamuna O-Zone. No concrete structures will be allowed in the core area of the floodplain, while only recreational activity will be permitted in the remaining area, described as part two."As per the MPD 2047, there will be a split in O-Zone, no concrete structure will be allowed in the core area of the floodplain, and in part 2 some recreational constructions like parks will be allowed," an official said.Under the Land Pooling Policy, the DDA will develop the road network wherever there is a right-of-way of 30 metres or more, the official added. Sources also said that more green areas will be developed in 174 villages of the national capital under MPD 2047.Sandhu said the new Master Plan would lay down a roadmap "for sustainable and inclusive urban growth, with greater Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Living, and a cleaner, greener capital for all. Delhi has a pivotal role to play in shaping this journey". He said the reform was aimed at reducing procedural delays and enabling faster project approvals.At the same meeting, Sandhu also decided to bring in a uniform policy for redevelopment of old two-storey residential units built by the DDA."Developed under MPD-1962, several old DDA housing schemes consist of built-up two-storey units on individual plots that are over 50 years old and structurally deficient. While vacant residential plots have clear redevelopment guidelines under prevailing MPD norms, built-up two-storey units lacked a uniform framework," the DDA said.Officials said the number of flats in such residential societies could also be increased as part of redevelopment projects. With the approval, built-up two-storey units have now been granted redevelopment rights on a par with vacant residential plots, the DDA said.The plan will now be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval and notification. Delhi’s first Master Plan was promulgated in 1962 under the Delhi Development Act, 1957, followed by the Master Plans of 2001 and 2021, which provided a framework for the planned development of the capital over 20-year periods.Overall, the approved MPD 2047 combines housing expansion, floodplain protection, simpler building clearances and redevelopment measures, and now awaits final clearance from the Centre.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 12, 2026 22:37 IST