Speak up Delhi: Traders welcome Master Plan change

Days after the Supreme Court lifted the stay from the amendments proposed to be made to the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD)-2021 by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), RWAs and traders have mixed reactions on the same.

Traders, who have been at the receiving end of the sealing drive said, the decision was "welcome", however, residents associations say the proposed amendments are "not in favour" of the public at large.

Additionally, residents said they will wait for the DDA to put the amendments in public domain. The apex court on Saturday's order said the urban body should allow a 15-days-period to invite suggestions and objections from the public.

At the same time, traders said the decision has come as a relief while also demanding immediate de-sealing of establishments.

"Last time we had submitted suggestions, which they did not even discuss with us. The feedback was just a token exercise. We are waiting for the advertisement after which we will see what should be done. 

However, the changes proposed so far are not in favour of the people of Delhi. It is going to add an extra burden on the facilities and the system, which will have to be borne by residents only," said BS Vohra, president, Federation of East Delhi RWAs.

The amendments were proposed in the plan to allow relief to traders from the ongoing sealing drive for "misuse" of residential premises as commercial.

The sealing drive in the Capital is being carried out by various civic agencies on directions of the SC-mandated three-member Monitoring Committee. The ongoing drive started last December in which over 1500 establishments have been sealed so far.

"The floor area ratio, as proposed, must be increased. There have been so many traders who have run out of their businesses after their shops were closed. There should be some relief for traders , who have been running their shops for decades," said Vinay Mehta, a garment trader in Amar Colony.

AIMED TO BRING RELIEF FOR TRADERS

• The amendments were proposed in the plan to allow relief to traders from the ongoing sealing drive for ‘misuse’ of residential premises as commercial. 
   
• The sealing drive is being carried out by various civic agencies on directions of the SC-mandated three-member Monitoring Committee 

VOICES

The Traders have been asking for a bill in parliament to stop the ongoing sealing after the Supreme Court ordered sealing of shops for 'misuse of premises'. Now that the court has lifted the stay, I hope it brings some relief to traders.
Ankush Dewesar

We accept that the illegal use of land must be stopped, but then government must realise that it was their failure that these markets were there. Now, that the stay has been lifted, the monitoring committee must also start de-sealing of the shops, which have already paid conversion charges.
D S Bisht

It was unfortunate that the court had stayed the amendments. However, we are now relieved to know that the stay has been lifted. We hope this time the changes proposed are studied and discussed before implementation.
Hrithik Suman

Earlier when the amendments were proposed by the DDA, the traders had protested the hastily suggested changes and after which the Authority allowed a two weeks time to invite suggestions and objections on the same. However, the suggestions were not discussed.
Shodhika Sharma

The DDA has not conducted any study to assess the impact of the changes to be made on the environment and natural resources of the city. The court has also asked them to conduct a study on same lines, however, there's no clarity on that.
Rashi Arora

In many areas, the agencies concerned have still not informed owners of the conversion amount they are supposed to pay. We too want a solution for this, as sealing is not the answer.
Rajendra Singh Rawat

The government must have an open discussion and debate on the amendments proposed to the Master Plan. If allowing more commercial establishments in residential spaces adds an extra burden on the facilities in the area, residents will be at a receiving end.
Misbah Ali

RWAs must be taken into the loop before such changes are imposed. Delhi is a city, which has increased migration over the years. If every residential area including roads has more commercial units than the houses, it will congest the city even further.
Govind Jee