NEW DELHI: Delhi will get 17 lakh houses under the land pooling policy and over five lakh houses for the economically weaker sections as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) cleared its land pooling plan on Friday. The policy covers urbanizable areas of urban extensions in 95 villages. Formulated with an aim to provide affordable housing in Delhi, the policy is also expected to trigger huge economic, social, and civic development of the city. It is likely to benefit lakhs of farmers while generating immense investment opportunities.
"The core of the policy is public participation. DDA will act as a facilitator and planner and the process of pooling and development will be taken up by Developer Entities or Consortiums," a statement from LG house wrote. It added that landowners having land of any size can participate under the land pooling policy, however, the minimum area to be taken up for development would be two hectares. A Developer Entity (DE)/ individual can participate in the scheme by pooling land parcels covered under a sector as per the Zonal Development Plan.
"For smooth planning and development of infrastructure, integrated Sector-based planning approach shall be followed. A sector will be comprised of 250 to 300 hectares of land. Once minimum 70 percent contiguous land of the developable area within a sector, free of encumbrances is assembled, such sectors shall be eligible for development under the Policy where any individual, developer entity or consortium with minimum two hectares of land can take up development," the statement observed.
It added that FAR and density norms have been provided for effective resource-based planning. Considering the availability of resources and services, FAR of 200 is recommended for the development in the Land Pooling Policy keeping in view availability of water, the requirement of land for physical and social infrastructure and impact on the environment.
At 200 FAR, the water requirement can be met to a large extent through compulsory dual pipeline and reduction in unaccounted losses of water. At 200 FAR adequate 'developable' land for Public and Semi-Public amenities i.e. Physical and Social infrastructure can also be provided as per MPD norms. As per NACER (National Council for Applied Economic Research), 200 FAR makes the land polling economically viable. Reasonable IRR (Internal Rate of Return) can be achieved at 200 FAR.
According to the statement, Delhi with 200 FAR will get 17 lakh dwelling units to house 76 lakh persons. In order to promote affordable and inclusive housing, 15 percent FAR over and above permissible FAR has also been allowed for EWS/affordable housing. This will go a long way in meeting the goals of Housing for All. Out of total 17 lakh, more than five lakh dwelling units will be created for the economically weaker sections of the society.
"Differential land return in two categories has been replaced with uniform division of land on 60:40 basis in the modified Policy, thereby benefitting small land holders/farmers. To keep pace with new forms of development, provision for achieving a vertical mix of uses (residential, commercial, PSP) at building level is introduced. Additional Development Controls have been introduced to regulate building and infrastructure aspects of developments," the statement noted.