Ownership rights to unauthorised colonies located on Yamuna Flood Plain 

Synopsis: The new master plan of Delhi 2041 would provide ownership rights to residents of at least 71 unauthorized colonies located along the Yamuna flood plain. 

Background: 

• The new master plan for Delhi (MPD) 2041 is put in the public domain for suggestions and amendments. 
• Under this, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has proposed to delineate Zone O, which encompasses the floodplain, into two zones – Zone O-I and O-II.  

• Zone O-I is the “river zone” with the active floodplain, spread over 6,295 hectare, and no construction would be allowed here.  
• Zone O-II, covering 3,638.4 hectare, has been rezoned as “riverfront” with regulated development.

The rationale behind demarcation of Zone O: 

• The demarcation is in compliance with the 2015 NGT order. The tribunal had directed that the floodplain be identified for a flood in 25 years in the interest of ecology, biodiversity and the river flow. 
• The demarcation is based on a scientific study conducted by IIT delhi. Based on this, only 5 unauthorised colonies fell in the active flood plain area while 71 were outside it. Thus, enabling the latter to apply for ownership rights if the delineation is allowed.