UD ministry denies "wrongdoing" over SP Marg property

The Urban Development Ministry today "strongly denied any wrongdoing" in respect of the property at Block No.48 in the Diplomatic Enclave at Sardar Patel Marg here.
According to media reports, the UD Ministry had okayed the construction of high-rise luxury flats near Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg despite objections from several agencies, including Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police.
"A large residential complex with many high-rise buildings in close proximity of Rashtrapati Bhawan is a security threat from various angles," Rashtrapati Bhawan had said in a letter to UD Ministry on December 11, 2012.
In a release, the ministry stated that the approval for construction had been accorded only for four storey houses in line with existing buildings in the vicinity, strictly as per the written advice of Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Reacting to the said media reports, the ministry said, "Communications in December, 2012, shown on television suggest that permission for (construction of) high-rises was given... That is misleading and incorrect as no such permission has been given."
While UD Ministry in July, 2012, allowed change in land use from dairy farming to residential complex for the 22.95 acre plot on Sardar Patel Marg, it only allowed construction of four-storey buildings there.

Defending the change of land use, it said, "The land use for the plot is 'Residential' as per all the Master Plans for Delhi -- MPD 1962, 2001 and 2021.

"Further, as per MPD 2021, group housing is permissible on plots of more than 3,000 sq.M. Permission for group housing on this plot had previously also been accorded by the Ministry on October 5, 1998."
Citing the court order, it said, "The Ministry acted strictly in compliance with court orders. In this matter, a Delhi High Court order of May 6, 2010, and an order by a Division Bench under Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on June 3, 2011, laid down time limits for compliance."
"The decision of the ministry is based on the court order, advice of the security agencies and the provisions of the Master Plan, 2021. No independent or arbitrary decision was taken," the ministry said.