DDA approves UBBL-2016 amendments to simplify building plans

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday approved amendments to Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL)-2016 to simplify the building plan to reduce compliance burden and improve Ease of Doing Business at the meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday.

Apart from this, important decisions included the policy for reconstruction and redevelopment of old DDA-built two-storey units and the change of land use for the development of the Metro Depot of the Rithala-Kundli Corridor in Narela Sub-City for expansion of the metro corridor. The meeting was attended by DDA vice chairman N. Saravana Kumar, chief secretary Rajiv Verma, and other members of the Authority.

In a statement, the DDA said the Authority has approved amendments to Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL)-2016 to simplify the building plan approval process. It seeks to de-link the prior requirement of obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Chief Inspector of Factories (CIF), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Forest Department for obtaining building permits. This reform is aimed at reducing procedural delays and enabling faster project approvals.

Addressing a long-standing demand from residents and public representatives, the Authority approved a comprehensive policy enabling the reconstruction and redevelopment of DDA-built two-storey dwelling units on individual plots in older housing schemes (such as Naraina Vihar) and extending it across all similarly placed schemes in Delhi.

Developed under MPD-1962, several old DDA housing schemes consist of built-up two-storey units on individual plots that are over 50 years old and structurally deficient. While vacant residential plots have clear redevelopment guidelines under prevailing MPD norms, built-up two-storey units lacked a uniform framework. With this approval, built-up two-storey units are now granted redevelopment rights on par with vacant residential plots.

Reconstruction will be governed by plot size, prevailing MPD provisions, structural safety certifications, and compliance with Unified Building Bye-laws, applicable FAR, ground coverage, height norms, and fire safety requirements. The redevelopment will be subject to applicable conversion charges, betterment levy (where applicable), and scrutiny fees, among others.

For expansion of metro corridor in Narela and adjoining areas, the Authority has approved change of Land Use (CLU) of land measuring 19.63 Ha. from “Recreational” and “Public & Semi Public (PSP)” to “Transportation” for development of Metro Depot of Rithala-Kundli Corridor in Narela Sub-City (Zone P-I).

The extension of the Delhi Metro Red Line from Rithala to Kundli shall be a transformative project designed to strengthen urban mobility and regional integration, with the approved Metro Depot acting as its epicentre. The metro line extension is expected to provide seamless connectivity and reduce travel time for thousands of daily passengers who currently rely on congested road networks by directly linking North West Delhi, Rohini and Narela Sub-Cities with Haryana.

This improved access is expected to stimulate development in the sub-cities, serving DDA’s new residential projects, the proposed University Hub at Narela Sub-City, which falls along the route, while also attracting investments in residential, hospitality, retail, and services. In addition, the metro extension will also give a boost to regional economic growth by creating job opportunities tied to improved infrastructure. 

This extension will be a transformative step toward better urban mobility and regional integration. The approved proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the issuance of the final Gazette Notification.