The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has begun a month-long outreach campaign in land pooling areas to explain to landowners and farmers how they can take part in the planned development of their land. The policy covers nearly 200 sq km and could create around 12 lakh new homes, the DDA said in a press release dated October 16.
The campaign was started on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, under Reform Utsav. It consists of village-level, on-site camps. The aim is to familiarise landowners, farmers and other stakeholders with the development models under the Land Pooling Policy. Participants can raise concerns, seek clarifications and understand the steps being taken to implement the policy.
The DDA has so far held interactive programmes in Bakkarwala, Tigipur and Sultanpur Dabas, covering Zones K-1, P-II and N, respectively. Landowners and other stakeholders took part. They expressed willingness to join the development of their land parcels and sought clarifications from DDA officials on the process. The officials told them that the road network plan, along with details of the land parcels, would be notified shortly. More camps are planned at Chhawla and Saranpur in Zone L, Neb Sarai in Zone J, Khera Kalan in Zone P-I and Mukhmelpur in Zone P-II.
The policy lets landowners voluntarily pool their land parcels for planned development in partnership with the DDA. The development framework envisages integrated neighbourhoods with roads, utilities, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, commercial centres and other public amenities. Land pooling applies in Planning Zones K-I, L, N, P-II and part of J.
It also applies in villages such as Akbar Pur Mazra, Baprola, Bawana, Burari, Dhoolsiras, Ghewra, Ibrahim Pur, Jharoda Majra, Najafgarh and Nangli Puna.
Under the policy, development will take place through the active participation of landowners and private entities, in partnership with the DDA. This can be done through assembly of land, Town Planning Schemes or other models.
The policy follows an infrastructure-first approach. The DDA will build the Road Network Plan in phases, with roads having a Right of Way of 30 metres and above. More than 600 km of additional road network is planned. The DDA said this would strengthen connectivity, improve mobility, unlock land value and attract long-term investment, with infrastructure coming before urban development.
Planning schemes of 20 hectares are allowed. This, the DDA said, will enable faster, phased development without waiting for large contiguous land parcels, and encourage wider participation. Planning based on Right of Way will support mixed-use neighbourhoods that bring together homes, workplaces, markets and public services.
The High-Density Corridor along Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) is meant to promote affordable housing, commercial development, logistics, warehousing and employment generation. The policy also simplifies procedures, removes unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks and gives greater planning flexibility.
On the ground, sector 8B, covering Village Gadi Khasro and Ibrahimpur, has emerged as the first implementation-ready, notified sector under the policy. The DDA said this paves the way for implementation in other sectors.
The development of land pooling areas is a priority under the Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047), which seeks to turn the capital into a future-ready, inclusive and sustainably planned city in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The DDA said it remains committed to timely implementation of the policy, coordinated infrastructure planning, simplified procedures and continued engagement with landowners, farmers and local communities.