New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Wednesday approved the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2047 in the presence of its chairman, Lieutenant Governor T S Sandhu, paving the way for a major overhaul of the city’s urban development framework in line with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.The plan, which will be forwarded to the ministry of housing and urban affairs for notification, is aimed at catering to an estimated population of 3.2 crore in Delhi in 2047, projected to increase from 2.4 crore at present.The plan was originally expected to be implemented around 2021-23 following the expiration of MPD 2021.FAR TweakOne of the key provisions of the new plan is the permission for a floor area ratio (FAR) of 200 for development under Land Pooling Policy (LPP), against a FAR of 400 that was expected earlier.However, the minimum area required for the development of a sector has been reduced to 20 hectares, or less than 50 acres, in the six zones earmarked for land pooling. This could open up opportunities for smaller consortiums to participate in the process.Under MPD 2021, a minimum of 100 acres was required for developing a sector.Under that policy, while building planned urban extensions, instead of traditional govt acquisition, a consortium was required to be formed with landowners contributing plots and becoming partners, in the process surrendering a portion for civic infrastructure and receiving back serviced land. However, under the new plan, DDA will serve as a primary anchor.Six zones where LPP is now permissible include K 1 (west Delhi-2), L (west Delhi-3), N (north-west Delhi-3), P-II (north Delhi), J (south Delhi-2) and P-1 (parts of Narela) zone.The land-pooling areas will require a road network at least 30 metres wide, with the responsibility for developing these roads resting with DDA.Yamuna Floodplain DivisionThe plan also focuses on the Ridge and the revival of Yamuna. O-Zone, a 9,934-hectare ecologically sensitive floodplain where permanent urban, residential and commercial constructions are largely restricted or prohibited, will be divided into two parts: Zone I, covering the riverbed and measuring 6,295 ha, and Zone II, comprising the outer sections of the floodplain. A 52-km cycle track and recreational spaces are planned in Zone II.New Farmhouse NormsMPD 2047 focuses on planned development in low-density residential areas. Farmhouses can be built on plots measuring 4,000 sqm (about one acre), provided they are located on roads that are at least 12 metres wide. The permissible FAR is 20%, with an additional 10% allowed on payment of charges, with the provision of an EWS component added and more ground covered. The maximum permissible height is 12 m.Under MPD 2021, while a farmhouse could be developed on 9-metre-wide roads, the EWS and ground components were restricted. Changes have now been made in conditions for developing commercial and mixed units on wider roads in such areas.Rajiv Babbar, a DDA member and former Delhi BJP vice-president, said, “MPD 2047 is expected to provide a new framework for Delhi’s planned expansion, redevelopment and infrastructure development. It will also facilitate environmentally friendly and economically sustainable housing, along with land pooling, to meet Delhi’s growing housing demand. The plan also proposes increased FAR in various categories.”Group-Housing SocietiesThe new plan seeks to facilitate the redevelopment of older group-housing societies. Those located on plots measuring 3,000 sqm can be redeveloped, while those on smaller plots can potentially be combined with adjoining plots to meet the requirement. The permissible FAR is 1.5, meaning a society with 200 existing flats could potentially be built with around 300 flats after redevelopment, subject to applicable norms.“To ensure that the plan seamlessly aligns with ground realities, detailed consultations were held on July 15, 2025, with key administrative and infrastructure bodies, including GNCTD, MCD, NDMC, DJB, DMRC, NCRTC and RWAs. With Delhi’s population projected to grow significantly by 2047, the master plan adopts an integrated approach towards housing, economic growth, mobility and environmental sustainability,” said DDA officials.Under this plan, Delhi has been divided into 17 categories — development norms have been prescribed for each — including areas like old city and walled city labelled as category A, city extension Karol Bagh as B, Civil Lines as C, New Delhi as D, trans-Yamuna as E, South Delhi I as F category, west Delhi as G and northwest Delhi as H.TOD PolicyThe transit-oriented development (TOD) policy has a permissible FAR of 500. “TOD charges have been fixed at a uniform rate of Rs 10,000 per sqm irrespective of the location of a plot. The minimum size of a plot has been reduced to 2,000 sqm and permissible FAR increased to 400, with a provision to extend it up to 500 on payment of additional charges,” said the officials.The TOD corridor has been defined as an area within 500 metres on either side of Metro corridors and within a 500-metre radius of RRTS and railway stations, covering both operational and proposed transit corridors.Bhupinder Bazad, president of Master Plan Committee of Delhi Dehat Vikas Manch, said it is important that all regulations and amendments required for the smooth implementation of LPP and provisions of Green Development Areas (GDA) be implemented simultaneously to avoid further delays in the planned development in Delhi and to curb illegal construction.“LPP will facilitate development in 105 villages, while GDA will benefit 69 villages, including 46 in green-belt areas and 23 designated as low-density residential areas. Planned development is expected to bring an investment of Rs 30,000 crore and generate 20 lakh employment opportunities. It will also help maintain greenery, as GDA makes it mandatory to plant 30% indigenous species in designated areas,” he said.
