Land Pooling Policy for Delhi

Ministry of Urban Development vide Notification dated 05.09.2013 modified the Master Plan 2021 to include the new Land Pooling Policy as Chapter 19 of MPD 2021. The new land policy is based on the concept of Land Pooling wherein the land parcels owned by individuals or group of owners are legally consolidated by transfer of ownership rights to the designated Land Pooling Agency for undertaking of development for such areas. Under the policy transfer of development rights is also allowed. It is expected to yield land to accommodate 10 million people and facilitate 
creation of 1.6 million dwelling units.

A part of land (48-60%) shall be transferred back to the owners (in two different modes). The policy is applicable in the proposed urbanisable areas of the Urban Extensions for which Zonal Plans have been approved.

Guiding Principles
Govt. / DDA to act as a facilitator with minimum intervention to facilitate and speed up integrated planned development. A land owner, or a group of land owners (who have grouped together of their own volition/will for this purpose) or a developer, referred as the "Developer Entity" (DE), shall be permitted to pool land for unified planning, servicing and subdivision / share of the land for development as per prescribed norms and guidelines. Each landowner to get an equitable return irrespective of land uses assigned to their land in the Zonal Development Plan (ZDP) with minimum displacement.

Role of DDA/Government
• DDA shall ensure the speedy development of Master Plan Roads and other essential Physical & Social Infrastructure and Recreational areas.
• It shall ensure inclusive development by adequate provision of EWS and other housing as per Shelter Policy of the Master Plan.
• Declaration of areas under land pooling and preparation of Layout Plans and Sector Plans based on the availability of physical infrastructure
• Superimposition of revenue maps on the approved Zonal plans
• Time bound development of identified land with Master Plan roads, provision of physical infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage and drainage, provision of social infrastructure and traffic and transportation infrastructure including metro corridors
• DDA shall be responsible for external development in a time bound manner
• Acquisition of left out land pockets in a time bound manner shall only be taken up wherever the persons are not coming forward to participate in development through land pooling Role of the Developer Entity (DE)
• Preparation of the layout plans/detailed plans as per the provisions of Master Plan and the policy.
• Demarcation of roads as per Layout Plan and Sector Plan within the assembled area and seek approval of layout plans/ detailed plans from the DDA
• Develop sector roads/internal roads/ infrastructure/services (including water supply lines, power supply, rain water harvesting, STP, WTP etc. falling in its share of the land.
• DE shall be allowed creation of infrastructure facilities, roads, parks etc. at city level subject to approval of Competent Authority
• Return of the prescribed built up space/ Dwelling Units for EWS/LIG Housing component to the DDA as per the policy.
• Timely completion of development and its maintenance with the entire neighborhood level facilities i.e. open spaces, roads and services till the area is handed over to the Municipal Corporation concerned for maintenance.

Land pooling Policy shall also support, for promoting mass housing construction technologies. Improved construction technology and methodologies, which may help, execute housing projects more efficiently and in lesser time. Construction techniques such as prefabricated and modular construction, and innovative construction materials can further help execute projects in lesser time and with reduced resources. More impetus however, would have to be provided to promote the use of these initiatives.

Some suggestions being looked into in this direction are:
• Offer subsidies and waive off import duty on special construction equipments, technologies, and materials.
• Provide incentives such as waive off excise duty, value added tax, etc. on pre-fabricated construction elements.
• Promote active R and D in this for the development and marketing of newer, more effective technologies, materials, etc. domestically The usage of such technology could help in fastening the delivery of housing stock and meeting the housing for all vision.

Rest of the development to be undertaken by the DDA. Land pooling is extensively used globally. It was first adopted by Holland and Germany in and around 1890s. The policy quickly spread across the globe. India has also successfully implemented the land pooling in the past and let us hope that this time too the L- Zone with its land pooling policy shall be a huge success.