Delhi’s land challenges, including contentious topics like the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and the implementation of a land pooling policy, are now under scrutiny by a parliamentary committee.
The 31-member standing committee on housing and urban affairs is set to delve into three significant urban development and land matters concerning Delhi. Recently reconstituted, the panel has identified 23 issues for examination.
Currently, the committee is assessing the implementation of prominent missions under the housing and urban affairs ministry. Among the 23 issues, three directly address Delhi’s land concerns, including the regularisation of unauthorised colonies, the status of the land pooling policy, and the allotment of government land in the region.
The regularisation of unauthorised colonies has been a politically sensitive issue in Delhi, with various governments attempting to grant ownership rights based on established cut-off dates.
During its second term, the Narendra Modi government launched the PM-UDAY scheme to provide legal status, ownership rights, and essential services such as water and electricity to residents of over 1,700 unauthorised colonies. However, the scheme has not received the level of engagement anticipated by the government.
Sources indicate that the parliamentary committee will review the various policies implemented for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies over the years and will make recommendations to enhance the execution of flagship schemes like PM-UDAY.
