Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, '1,531 colonies to be regularised under new housing scheme'

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Rekha Gupta lauded the central government for regularising Delhi's unauthorised colonies on an "As Is, Where Is" basis under the PM-UDAY scheme, noting that the new framework allows for the regularisation of 1,531 colonies without requiring layout plan approval. Furthermore, she mentioned that all plots and buildings within these colonies will be treated as residential.

Addressing a press conference at the National Media Centre on Tuesday, she further mentioned that joint surveys will be conducted by revenue officials under strict timelines. The DDA-GIS survey will be completed within 7 days, resolve deficiencies within 15 days, and issue conveyance deeds within 45 days. She also noted that out of 1,731 unauthorised colonies, 511 are being regularised immediately.

"... In 2019, the Government launched the PM-UDAY scheme for unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Under this, residents were granted ownership transfer and mortgage rights. So far, around 40,000 conveyance deeds and authorisation slips have been issued, though technical problems slowed progress, particularly with layout plan approvals. Thanks to the intervention of the Prime Minister and the Urban Ministry, a major step has now been taken. Delhi has about 50 lakh residents in unauthorised colonies, about 10 lakh families. The new scheme allows regularisation of 1,531 colonies, without requiring layout plan approval. All plots and buildings will be treated as residential," said CM Gupta.

"The approval process has been simplified: responsibility now lies with Delhi's Revenue Department, with ADM-level officers as single-point approval authorities. Surveys will be conducted jointly by revenue officials, and strict timelines have been set. DDA-GIS survey within 7 days, deficiency resolution within 15 days, and conveyance deed issuance within 45 days. Out of 1,731 unauthorised colonies, 511 are being regularised immediately. The remaining excluded colonies are those in restricted zones such as ridge areas, ozone-sensitive regions, or near protected monuments. Authorisation certificates will be issued by the MCD..." added CM Gupta.

Earlier, the Central Government launched the Pradhan Mantri-Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) in 2019 to grant ownership rights to residents. However, progress under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) remained slow for a long time.

Hence, in a significant shift, the government has now approved the regularisation of these colonies on an "As Is, Where Is" basis. Under this principle, existing constructions will be accepted in their current form and granted legal status.

According to Union Housing Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, this move will provide major relief to small traders, as small shops up to 20 square meters will also be regularised under certain conditions.

The application process is set to begin on April 24, featuring a fast-tracked timeline which includes 7 days for the GIS survey, 15 days to rectify application deficiencies, and a strict 45-day deadline for the issuance of conveyance deeds.

"Under the guidance of the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, a new chapter of dignity and rights has begun today for the residents of unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Under the PM-UDAY scheme, out of a total of 1731 unauthorised colonies, 1511 are being regularised on an "as is, where is" basis without the mandatory requirement of a layout plan. Additionally, the land use for all plots and buildings will be considered residential, and regularisation will only be done for existing built-up structures on an "as is, where is" basis. Providing relief to small traders, small shops up to 20 square meters will also be regularised with conditions. This application process will begin on April 24, under which a 7-day timeline for GIS survey, a 15-day process to rectify deficiencies in applications, and a 45-day deadline for issuing conveyance deeds have been set," said Khattar.