The draft Master Plan Development (MPD) 2021 will face resistance from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The general mood is to challenge the draft plan in court if the Union Urban Development Ministry notifies it.
Most residents believe that the Plan will not stand legal scrutiny. "The Supreme Court had already put a stay on any fresh notifications by way of amendments in MPD 2001. Even the notification by which the MCD had declared 2,183 roads as commercial streets is awaiting the court’s nod," said Sanjay Kaul of URJA citizens group.
Whatever the government was unable to incorporate in the Master Plan 2001 (on account of the court stay) has now been included in MPD 2021.
"The government has managed to circumvent the court orders. We will call a meeting of our members to discuss the matter and then decide. But we will definitely oppose it," said VC Tandon of RWAs’ Joint Front.
Sanjay Bhargav of Chandni Chowk Traders Association said regularisation of illegal shops in residential colonies will mean an unfair deal for traders operating from authorised markets. "The populist Master Plan might be struck down by the court. Everything is subject to infrastructure… there cannot be any blanket regularisation," he said.
For now, the RWAs have adopted a wait-and-watch policy. "The government has assured the traders that MPD 2021 will be notified before January 31, when the matter is to come up before the Supreme Court. The court will take cognizance of the developments and pass some order. We will hold a meeting after that," said Kaul.
{{/usCountry}}For now, the RWAs have adopted a wait-and-watch policy. "The government has assured the traders that MPD 2021 will be notified before January 31, when the matter is to come up before the Supreme Court. The court will take cognizance of the developments and pass some order. We will hold a meeting after that," said Kaul.
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