The Union urban development ministry has asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to expedite the much-delayed mid-term review of the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.

The ministry has asked the DDA to expedite the process following directions from UD minister M Venkaiah Naidu. Naidu has also asked DDA to ensure notification of the changes required by the end of December, 2014.

On Thursday, progress of the mid-term review by the DDA was discussed by Secretary (Urban Development) Shankar Aggarwal.

The Master Plan of Delhi-2021 was notified in February, 2007 and was to be reviewed within five years, keeping in view the changes during that period. The mid-term review began in 2011 but is yet to be concluded.

After the review, changes in the Master Plan will be notified with the approval of the UD ministry.

In September, Naidu had directed the ministry officials to ensure that the mid-term review is completed quickly to ensure notification of results of the review by the end of December, 2014.

Aggarwal has directed DDA to place the chapter on ‘environmental issues’ in the public domain by November 3, for receiving suggestions and views from the public. The DDA has also been asked to put up the chapter on ‘Transit Oriented Development’ for the consideration of Delhi Lieutenant Governor by November 7 for placing the chapter in the public domain, soon after.

It was decided in the meeting that since by convention, rules applicable to Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone are applicable to Zone-D, the DDA would take the approval of Authority for Zonal Development Plan for Zone-D accordingly.

The issue of municipal agencies and Delhi Fire Service not allowing construction beyond 15 metres height despite a provision of 7.5 metre height in the Master Plan was discussed in the meeting. Delhi Fire Service officials have informed that under the relevant Act, they were required to go by the National Building Code, which refers to a maximum height of 15 metres for construction. Fire Service and the concerned agencies have been asked to move a proposal to the ministry for resolving the issue.