NDMC proposes amnesty scheme for unauthorised constructions

The civic body of north Delhi today proposed to bring an amnesty scheme, with some riders, for residents of such buildings, where unauthorised constructions were made till December 31 last year, its mayor said.
The relief proposed by the standing committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, however, would only apply to buildings spread over a plot, ranging in size from 50-250 sqm, the NDMC said.
"Many people come to Delhi for work and sometimes they build houses which violates certain norms, but not in a big way. We all know how difficult it is get a house in Delhi.

"So, we thought why not take this (amnesty) route with some restrictions, so that, we can also get revenues from it, and people would also get relief," North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal said.
The proposed move would, however, be subjected to amendment in the existing Building Byelaws as per the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021. The NDMC plans to send the proposal to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for getting the due approval, officials said.
"Once it gets in place, we would earn revenues through the penalty imposed for the extra construction made in the buildings beyond the prescribed norm. Also, the residents would have to produce a certificate from a registered architect that the building is safe," she said.

The amnesty scheme, however, does not apply to buildings where unauthorised constructions, encroach on government land or violate structural safety norms, the mayor said.

As per the laws, plots measuring 50-100 sqm can only be allowed to construct in 90 per cent of the area and those measuring 100-250 sqm only 75 per cent, on the ground level, the NDMC said. On floors above it 100 per cent construction is allowed.
"The population of Delhi is expected to rise to 2.2-2.3 crore by 2021. Since, land would be scare commodity and hence, going vertical would be the only option for providing shelter to people," a senior NDMC official said.

The mayor said for unauthorised constructions made after December 31, 2016, we will deal with "zero-tolerance".
Meanwhile, mayor Agarwal and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari today flagged off four mechanical road sweeping machines from the Civic Centre here.
"We plan to acquire four more machines by December," she said.