The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is planning to go to court to allow for an increase in dwelling units in plots of 750 sq m and above. This comes after the agency's green signal for increased FAR for such plots on Friday.

A DDA spokesperson said, "Modifications in the Delhi Master Plan 2021 had been proposed to allow more ground coverage and FAR in residential plots above 750 sq m." The issue had been notified under the master plan and about 109 objections and suggestions were received. The objections and suggestions was looked at by the board of inquiry and based on its recommendations, the authority has allowed that the maximum ground coverage for plots of 750 sqm and above be increased from 40% to 50% and FAR be increased from 120 to 200.

"There was no change in the number of dwelling units proposed to be allowed after increase in FAR. The authority has directed that (this) issue be taken to court for allowing additional dwelling units in view of the increase in FAR," the spokesperson added.

As part of other decisions taken by the authority, expansion of the Bahai temple as well as development of the South Delhi Greenway or the Eco-mobility corridor project was also approved. "For the Eco-mobility corridor project, it was approved that UTTIPEC should monitor and review its progress and report it to the DDA vice chairman and LG," said the DDA official.

A project implementation unit has also been approved to be constituted under DDA, which will also be the implementation agency. "A detailed project report (DPR) shall be prepared for the entire stretch of 12.5km, which covers the total length of Barapullah drain originating near Said-ul-Ajaib near Mehrauli and ending at the confluence with river Yamuna near Barapullah bridge," added the official. The project will be funded by DDA. IDFC has given its indicative cost as Rs 250 crore for phase-I, which is from Sarai Kale Khan to INA. "As the implementation unit and financing will be made available by DDA, the proposal is likely to start soon," added the DDA spokesperson.

The land-owning agency also approved the expansion of the Bahai House of Worship or Lotus Temple. "Bahai Temple had requested for approval of layout plan with increased ground coverage for expansion of the complex for a building for training of youth," explained the DDA official

The expansion is to be carried out on the land already in possession of the temple. The issue had already been discussed at various levels, including the technical committee which had recommended relaxation in ground coverage for construction of the building for training of youth. "The project was approved subject to the condition of furnishing an undertaking that the FAR will not exceed beyond what has been sanctioned," added the official.