Delhi Master Plan 2047 promotes 24x7 economy with nightlife, tourism hubs

Delhi's Master Plan 2047 proposes a 24x7 city model through nightlife hubs and longer operating hours. The move aims to boost tourism, local trade, public safety and everyday city life.According to the plan, the concept of a "24-hour city" will be promoted by identifying nodes, precincts and circuits that can attract both tourists and local residents. (File photo)The Master Plan of Delhi 2047, notified on Thursday, has set out a plan to foster a 24x7 economy in the national capital by promoting a vibrant nightlife and boosting local trade and business. A key part of this approach is the development of designated precincts around tourist attractions and public spaces.According to the plan, the concept of a "24-hour city" will be promoted by identifying nodes, precincts and circuits that can attract both tourists and local residents. It says extending the use of workspaces as well as socio-cultural and commercial facilities will help create a more active nightlife and support the local economy.The Master Plan promotes cultural and commercial activity along various circuits through planned mixing of land use and by allowing different cultural activities in identified precincts. It also says extended operating hours for restaurants, socio-cultural activities, sports facilities and retail stores will be allowed by the concerned agencies.The plan says Delhi has diverse markets with the potential to be developed as "active travel areas" with pedestrianised stretches. It also proposes reclaiming and reusing areas such as non-functional quarries, landfills, ash dykes and thermal power plants as public spaces, or developing and repurposing them in a time-bound manner based on feasibility. The MPD 2047 identifies opportunities for green-blue corridors, heritage and cultural circuits, and temporary festival circuits, and asks the agencies concerned to identify and develop them to improve tourism potential. It says this is important for improving the safety of public spaces, increasing economic productivity and reducing congestion by staggering activities.Under the plan, cultural and commercial circuits will be identified and developed by local bodies and the Delhi government's Tourism Department, with agencies working jointly on infrastructure. The agencies may also work with artists, cultural groups, residents' groups, youth groups, market and vendors' associations, and organisers of weekly markets to hold seasonal or cultural festivals, themed night walks and night markets.The plan further recommends city-level public hubs at landmarks and public spaces, including waterfronts, urban forests, and cultural hubs such as the Walled City (Chandni Chowk), Nizamuddin, Chirag Dilli, India Gate lawns, Connaught Place, and urban villages such as Hauz Khas and Mehrauli, to improve public life in the city.Overall, the Master Plan of Delhi 2047 aims to expand activity across the city through longer operating hours, better use of public spaces and the creation of cultural and commercial circuits to support tourism, business and public life.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 20, 2026 23:28 IST