Delhi Development Authority's Land Pooling Policy sees slow uptake

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is facing a tepid response to its renewed efforts to promote the Land Pooling Policy in the city. The policy, aimed at transforming 105 villages in the capital into urban hubs with modern amenities, has struggled to gain traction among landowners.
The Land Pooling Policy, introduced in 2018, seeks to revamp 105 villages divided into five zones - P-II, K-I, L, N, and J. Under this initiative, landowners are encouraged to form consortia to pool their land, with the requirement that 70% of the land be contiguous and free of encumbrances. The overarching goal is to bring city-like facilities, including affordable housing, shopping centres, efficient transportation systems, schools, parks, and hospitals, to these villages. The land pooling is organized according to the sectors outlined in the zonal development plans.
DDA initiated a three-month window, running from August 21 to November 18, to allow landowners to register and engage in this endeavour. However, as of October 7, not a single application has been received for consortium formation.
Local villagers argue that the effective implementation of land pooling is contingent upon the passage of proposed amendments to the Delhi Development (DD) Act, 1957, in Parliament and the notification of the Delhi Master Plan, 2041. Without these legislative changes, the process remains stymied.
To encourage participation in the policy, the DDA opened the seventh application window on August 21. However, they have not received any applications for consortium formation. A revised agreement has been sought from the consortium for Sector 3 in zone P II in line with the Land Pooling Regulation, 2018.
In light of the lacklustre response, the DDA plans to organize more camps and set up a helpdesk at the DDA office complex in Pitampura to assist landowners in their applications.
To date, 24.6 hectares of land have been registered on the land pooling portal, with provisional and final notices issued for consortium formation in 15 sectors across three zones. Despite these efforts, the delay in legislative amendments remains a major roadblock.
Bhupinder Bazad, president of the master plan committee of the Delhi Dehat Vikas Manch, emphasized that without the approval of the DD Act amendments and the notification of MPD 2041, the consortium formation would not lead to actual development. While one consortium has been formed, key issues related to land contiguity and joint ownership persist.
Implementing the Land Pooling Policy has faced operational obstacles, prompting the proposal of amendments to the DD Act, 1957, which would provide more flexibility and enhance facilitation by the DDA. These amendments would empower the central government to mandate land pooling even if the minimum eligibility criteria are not met, aiming to expedite the policy's implementation.
The future of the Land Pooling Policy remains in limbo, awaiting legislative changes to clear the way for urban transformation in Delhi's villages.

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Delhi Development Authority's Land Pooling Policy sees slow uptake

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