Delhi residents are highlighting critical issues regarding parking congestion in Local Shopping Centres (LSCs) and the growth of unauthorized colonies in urbanized villages. While there is a common perception that stilt parking is restricted in commercial plots due to architectural designs, official guidelines from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) suggest a different approach for redevelopment. These urban challenges are now at the center of planning discussions as the city transitions toward the Master Plan 2041.
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Current Regulations for Stilt Parking in Commercial and Residential Plots
According to DDA documents, stilt parking is permitted for commercial centers, including LSCs, during rebuilding processes. This provision is subject to standard parking norms and approved schemes for the area. While some areas like Connaught Place have strict architectural controls, the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 was amended to regulate commercial development at new parking sites to ease congestion. For residential plots, the rules are more specific:
- Stilt parking is mandatory for residential plots between 100 and 1,000 square meters.
- Buildings with stilt parking can reach a height of 17.5 meters without a fire department NOC as per recent MCD updates.
- The stilt floor is not counted in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) but is included in the total building height.
Addressing Unauthorized Construction and the Master Plan 2041
The issue of unauthorized construction in urbanized villages remains a major concern for the city administration. Historically, Lal Dora areas were exempt from building bylaws, but this changed after a 2011 notification required sanctioned plans for new constructions. The upcoming Master Plan for Delhi 2041 aims to bring more clarity to these regions. It proposes the urbanization of 48 villages and will allow for the free registry of properties in Lal Dora areas to resolve long-standing ownership disputes. The government is also working on the following initiatives:
| Project/App | Objective |
|---|---|
| PM-UDAY | Granting ownership rights to residents of unauthorized colonies |
| DDA 311 App | Online platform for citizens to report illegal constructions |
| ULB Infrastructure Plan | Providing water, sewage, and roads in 105 regularized colonies |
As of late 2024, the Urban Local Bodies department has instructed authorities to begin essential infrastructure work in recently regularized areas. Full-scale development is expected to commence by March 2025 to ensure these colonies receive urban amenities. Meanwhile, the DDA and MCD continue to monitor development areas to prevent new illegal constructions on agricultural land.
