Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Delhi Master Plan Freezes New Commercial Street Notifications Through 2047
Delhi’s new city plan says no additional mixed-use or commercial streets will be officially notified until 2047.
Streets already on the approved lists can continue their existing commercial activities.
Shops and some other businesses may still operate on residential plots next to roads wider than 30 metres.
They must follow the rules and pay the required charges.
This permission generally applies only to the ground floor or the first floor above stilt parking.
Businesses involving dangerous, polluting or unsuitable substances will not be allowed.
The plan says nearby shops can reduce long trips for residents, but too much business activity may cause traffic and congestion.
Traders worry that Delhi may need more commercial space as its population and economy grow.
Delhi will not notify new mixed-use or commercial streets during the MPD-2047 period.
Commercial activity may be allowed on residential plots beside roads wider than 30 metres, subject to charges.
The permission covers ground floors or first floors above stilt parking across residential colony categories.
Hazardous, inflammable, polluting and incompatible activities will remain excluded.
Traders question whether the plan provides enough commercial space for Delhi’s projected population and economy.
- Who
- The Delhi government, MPD-2047 planners and Delhi traders are involved.
- What
- MPD-2047 bars new notifications of mixed-use and commercial streets while allowing some commercial activity beside roads wider than 30 metres.
- When
- The policy will apply through 2047; the report was published on August 21.
- Where
- Across Delhi, with specified exclusions including the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone and heritage areas.
- Why
- The plan aims to bring services closer to homes and reduce long-distance travel, while managing congestion and infrastructure pressure.
Planning rationale
Traders’ concerns
Balancing local services and growth
Planning rationale
The plan says allowing nearby commercial activity can bring shops and services closer to residential areas and reduce long-distance travel.
Traders’ concerns
Traders argue that freezing the notified-street list could limit the creation of additional commercial areas as Delhi’s population and economy expand.
Managing commercial activity
Planning rationale
The plan restricts activity by location, requires applicable charges and excludes hazardous, polluting or incompatible businesses.
Traders’ concerns
Traders say the government must clarify how the plan will provide sufficient space for businesses, jobs and livelihoods.
Status of proposed roads
Planning rationale
MPD-2047 does not provide for new mixed-use or commercial-street notifications during its tenure.
Traders’ concerns
The Kamla Nagar Market Traders’ Association has asked whether and when the 351 roads proposed for commercialisation in the BJP’s election manifesto will be notified.
- Current notified streets
- Delhi has 2,183 notified mixed-use streets and 355 notified commercial streets.
- Road-width threshold
- Commercial activity may be allowed beside roads with a right of way greater than 30 metres.
- Permitted location
- Activity may occur on the ground floor or the first floor above stilt parking.
- Plan horizon
- The restriction on new street notifications applies through 2047.
- Population assumption
- The plan assumes Delhi’s population could reach around 3.2 crore by 2047.
- Commercial exclusions
- Hazardous, inflammable, polluting and otherwise incompatible activities are excluded.
- Proposed commercialisation
- A traders’ representative sought clarity on the status and timing of 351 roads mentioned in the BJP’s election manifesto.