New Delhi, April 7 – Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced on Tuesday the regularisation of 1,511 “unauthorised colonies” on an “as is, where is” basis, providing a major relief to over 45 lakh migrant residents living in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies. This removes the requirement for approved layout plans for these settlements.
He also assured over 60 upscale, affluent unauthorised colonies, including Sainik Farms and Anant Ram Dairy, that residents would be required to pay higher charges for regularisation, although the specific schedule or form for this process is still being finalized. He stated that this decision marks a historic moment for the residents of Delhi.
This announcement is expected to provide relief to the 45 lakh migrant residents who have lived in these unplanned colonies, which were established on farmland in violation of building regulations over the past three to four decades due to a lack of affordable housing.
Manohar Lal explained that the Central government launched the Pradhan Mantri – Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) scheme in 2019 to grant ownership rights to residents of these colonies, but progress has been slow due to the absence of approved layout plans.
He stated that with the current decision to regularize colonies on an “as is where is” basis, residents will be encouraged to register their properties. This will streamline the process and eliminate the previous requirement for approved layout plans.
This decision will provide legal ownership and allow residents to construct or redevelop their homes in accordance with civic building regulations.
Manohar Lal also emphasized that these steps are being taken under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He stated that Delhi is experiencing a new phase of planned and inclusive urban development, aimed at addressing legacy issues while building a future-ready city, under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
There are 1,731 unplanned colonies in the national capital. Of these, 1,511 colonies were declared eligible for regularisation on "as is, where is" basis on Tuesday. The remaining colonies are either built on non-conforming areas or green zones like the Delhi Ridge or riverbeds, or are located near monuments in violation of archaeological provisions.
The regularisation of "unauthorised colonies" also fulfils a major poll promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its election manifesto. These colonies are home to more than 10 lakh migrant families, mostly from Purvanchal, Uttarakhand, and other northern states.
Manohar Lal clarified that 1,511 unauthorised colonies (out of 1,731), which do not fall under exclusion criteria, will be regularized on an “as-is, where-is” basis without requiring approved layout plans.
The land use of all plots and buildings in these colonies will be treated as residential, and convenience shops up to 20 square metres will be regularized if they have access to a right of way of 6 metres. For shops up to 10 square metres, the required right of way may be less than 6 metres.
Regularisation will apply to existing built-up structures on an “as-is where-is” basis, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and local bodies will issue certificates of regularisation, conduct surveys of vacant plots, and facilitate the development of civic infrastructure.
The Revenue Department of the Delhi government will issue Conveyance Deeds/Authorisation Slips to eligible residents.
He stated that layout plans will be prepared by an inter-agency cell (DDA, MCD, GNCTD) using satellite imagery; however, the absence of layout plans will not hinder regularisation.
This amendment marks a shift from an ownership-only framework to a comprehensive framework enabling both ownership and regularisation of unauthorised colonies, through a simplified, integrated approach from MCD, DDA and the Delhi government.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta thanked Prime Minister Modi for the major relief to residents of these 1,511 colonies.
"The application process will begin on April 24. A seven-day timeline for GIS survey, a 15-day process to address deficiencies in applications, and a 45-day deadline for issuing conveyance deeds have been set," the Chief Minister said.
"The Central government and the Delhi government have together removed 22 major obstacles in this process so that millions of families can receive their due rights without delay, pendency, or hassle. At the same time, small shops up to 20 square metres will also be regularised with conditions, providing relief to small traders as well," she added.
