Context: The Delhi Development Authority gave 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 current master plan of Delhi — Master Plan 2021 — expires this year.

What is the Master Plan 2041 for Delhi?

• 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.

What are the main focus areas of the master plan?

Housing sector:

• Incentivising rented accommodation by inviting private players and government agencies to invest more, keeping in mind the large migrant population.
• It addresses parking problems and suggests a ‘user pays’ principle, which means users of all personal motor vehicles, except for non-motorised ones, have to pay for authorised parking facilities, spaces and streets.

How does the master plan tackle environmental pollution, one of the biggest crises of Delhi?

• The draft plan aims to minimise 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. As per the plan, a green buffer of 300-metre width shall be maintained wherever feasible along the entire edge of the river.

How is the Master Plan 2041 different from the 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 decentralised workspaces, mandatory creation of open areas, better habitat design and green-rated developments to reduce dependence on mechanical ventilation systems.

What challenges will its implementation face?

• The implementing agencies face challenges like confrontation from political wings, lack of resources and funds, corruption in different departments, lack of political and bureaucratic will and multiplicity of agencies.
• In some cases like, increasing parking or increasing its charges, there is resistance from politicians due to vote-bank politics. In other cases, lack of funds and improper implementation mar the projects.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-delhis-master-plan-2041-its-key-areas-and-challenges-7352735/

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