Master Plan Delhi 2021: A move to accelerate city development
 
Master Plan 2021 focuses upon planning, developmental issues and functional approach towards creating the vision of Delhi as an international city. Â
“The Master Plan 2021 for the City of Delhi is a starting point for developing a specific vision for the future of Delhi,” said Dinesh Rai, vice chairman, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at the CII Delhi State Annual Session and Panel Discussion on Master Plan 2021 on 3 April.Â
The Master Plan is a policy document that will address issues at the zonal and local levels providing direction on urban development,” he added.
Outlining the Master Plan, Mr Rai said that strategies for coordinating and leveraging city development on different fronts - economic, educational, cultural, sports and environmental have been incorporated.
“Having a Master Plan is better than not having one,” said Mr Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Express, and Moderator for the discussion. He said that the challenge is that we are urbanising faster than we are able to develop the cities. We have got to ensure maximum growth of cities so that they are in a better position to absorb the urbanising citizen, he said.
The other panelists included Arun Bharat Ram, past president (CII) and chairman, SRF Ltd; Harpal Singh , chairman, Fortis Healthcare Ltd ; Suhel Seth, managing partner, Counselage India ; Vikram Bakshi, joint venture & MD, McDonald’s India (North & East); William Bissell , MD, Fabindia Overseas Pvt Ltd ;Â Shyam Divan , senior advocate; Ranjit Sabikhi, architect and Pankaj Vir Gupta, partner, vir.mueller architects.
During the discussion the panelists suggested that the Masterplan 2021 should focus on moving towards the hi-tech era by providing more facilities to the community as a whole be it working women, students, service sector and elderly people. The Master Plan should be projected on the basis of the assessment of basic needs, while maintaining and preserving the cultural ethos of the city.
Earlier in his address Adesh Gupta, chairman CII Northern Region highlighted that Delhi is one of the prosperous and fast growing economies in the country driven by the services sector. Being the national capital, it is one of the most important locations for business and investors.
The Master Plan is an important document for the city because it articulates a broad vision for Delhi’s future and provides direction to all development activities. Essentially, it also serves as the blueprint of plans and designs that contribute to Delhi’s overall urbanization development, stated Ankur Bhatia, Chairman, CII Delhi State Council at the Panel discussion.