Ministry proposes to reduce Lutyens Bungalow Zone area

The ministry of urban development has proposed to reduce the Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ) area by 5.13 sq. kms and has for the first time sought suggestions and/or objections to proposals in this regard.

The ministry has also proposed to exclude areas such as Jor Bagh, Golf Links, Sunder Nagar, Bengali Market, Ashoka Road, Mandir Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg and Chanakyapuri from the LBZ area, an official statement said.

Based on several representations from various organisations and individuals, the ministry has proposed to demarcate the LBZ in central Delhi.

Public views were not taken into consideration when the first demarcation was done in 1988 and for the second time in 2003.

As per the report submitted by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) at the behest of the ministry of urban development, the LBZ area is proposed to be reduced by 5.13 sq. kms to 23.60 sq. kms from the present 28.73 sq. kms.

The LBZ area of 25.88 sq. kms demarcated for the first time in 1988, increased to 28.73 sq. kms in 2003, with the inclusion of new areas such as Babar Road, Bengali Market, Sundar Nagar, Jor Bagh, Panchsheel Marg, and parts of the diplomatic area in Chanakyapuri.

DUAC has proposed to keep the LBZ boundary close to the original boundary envisaged by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1912 while removing the transformed/commercialised areas/modern colonies which do not bear any resemblance to the Lutyens Bungalow Zone character and retaining green areas which were included in LBZ in 1988.

The Supreme Court of India premises which was removed in 2003 is now proposed to be included in LBZ.

The DUAC report will be examined after receipt of comments, views, suggestions and objections from the public.