New Delhi | The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has approved the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2047, setting the stage for a major overhaul of the capital’s urban development framework. The plan was approved on Wednesday in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor and DDA Chairman T S Sandhu and will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for notification.
The master plan is designed to address Delhi’s projected population of 3.2 crore by 2047, compared with an estimated 2.4 crore at present. MPD 2047 was originally expected to come into effect around 2021–23 after the expiry of MPD 2021.
Land Pooling Policy: FAR Set at 200
One of the significant changes under MPD 2047 is the provision of FAR 200 for development under the Land Pooling Policy (LPP), against the FAR of 400 that had been anticipated earlier.
At the same time, the minimum area required for sector development has been reduced from 100 acres under MPD 2021 to 20 hectares, or less than 50 acres. The reduction could allow smaller consortiums to participate in land pooling.
LPP will be permissible in six zones: K-1 (West Delhi-2), L (West Delhi-3), N (North-West Delhi-3), P-II (North Delhi), J (South Delhi-2) and P-I (parts of Narela).
The land-pooling areas will require a road network of at least 30 metres width, with DDA responsible for developing these roads. Under the revised framework, DDA will also serve as the primary anchor for land-pooling development.
Yamuna O-Zone to Be Divided into Two Parts
The master plan places renewed emphasis on the Yamuna and the Ridge, including a restructuring of the ecologically sensitive Yamuna O-Zone.
The 9,934-hectare O-Zone floodplain will be divided into two parts:
- Zone I: The riverbed, covering approximately 6,295 hectares
- Zone II: The outer sections of the floodplain
A 52-km cycle track and recreational spaces are proposed in Zone II. Permanent urban, residential and commercial construction remains largely restricted or prohibited in the ecologically sensitive floodplain.
New Norms for Farmhouses
MPD 2047 also revises development norms for low-density residential areas and farmhouses.
Farmhouses can be developed on plots of 4,000 sq m, provided they are located on roads at least 12 metres wide. The permissible FAR is 20%, with an additional 10% FAR available on payment of charges. The plan also introduces an EWS component and allows greater ground coverage, while the maximum permissible height is set at 12 metres.
Under MPD 2021, farmhouses could be developed on roads of 9 metres width, with restrictions on EWS and ground components.
Redevelopment of Older Group-Housing Societies
The plan seeks to facilitate the redevelopment of older group-housing societies. Societies located on plots measuring at least 3,000 sq m can be redeveloped, while smaller societies may potentially combine with adjoining plots to meet the minimum requirement.
The permissible FAR has been set at 1.5. As an illustration provided in the source, a society with 200 existing flats could potentially accommodate around 300 flats after redevelopment, subject to applicable norms.
DDA officials said consultations were held with key administrative and infrastructure agencies, including GNCTD, MCD, NDMC, DJB, DMRC, NCRTC and RWAs, on July 15, 2025, to align the plan with ground realities.
TOD Framework Gets Higher FAR
The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) framework is another major component of MPD 2047.
The minimum plot size under TOD has been reduced to 2,000 sq m, while the permissible FAR has been increased to 400, with the provision to go up to 500 on payment of additional charges.
TOD charges have been fixed at a uniform ₹10,000 per sq m, irrespective of the location of the plot.
The TOD corridor covers areas within 500 metres on either side of Metro corridors and within a 500-metre radius of RRTS and railway stations, covering both operational and proposed transit corridors.
Delhi Divided into 17 Development Categories
MPD 2047 divides Delhi into 17 categories, with development norms prescribed for each. The categories include the old city and walled city, Karol Bagh, Civil Lines, New Delhi, trans-Yamuna areas, South Delhi, West Delhi and North-West Delhi.
The plan is intended to provide an integrated framework covering housing, economic growth, mobility and environmental sustainability as Delhi prepares for substantial population growth by 2047.
Land Pooling and Green Development Areas
The source also highlights the expected role of the Land Pooling Policy and Green Development Areas (GDA) in Delhi’s planned expansion.
According to Bhupinder Bazad, president of the Master Plan Committee of Delhi Dehat Vikas Manch, regulations and amendments required for the smooth implementation of LPP and GDA provisions should be implemented simultaneously to avoid further delays and curb illegal construction.
The LPP is expected to facilitate development in 105 villages, while GDA provisions are expected to benefit 69 villages, including 46 in green-belt areas and 23 designated as low-density residential areas. The source estimates that planned development could bring an investment of ₹30,000 crore and generate 20 lakh employment opportunities. It also notes that GDA provisions require 30% indigenous species plantation in designated areas.
What MPD 2047 Signals for Delhi
With its focus on land pooling, redevelopment, transit-oriented development, the Yamuna floodplain, low-density areas and housing, MPD 2047 represents a significant shift in Delhi’s long-term spatial planning framework. Its provisions will now move towards the notification stage with MoHUA, after which their implementation will determine how effectively Delhi accommodates population growth while balancing infrastructure requirements, environmental protection and planned urban expansion.
Also Read: From Shahjahanabad to the Master Plan: A.K. Jain Reflects on the Evolution of Delhi’s Urban Planning
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