Eight years have passed since the second Diplomatic Enclave was proposed here in Dwarka Sector 24, yet little has changed. The 34-hectare, which is ready with the necessary trunk infrastructure, continues to await Cabinet approval by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Sources said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the MEA were at loggerheads for a long time over the issue of ground rent. The MEA had two demands — waiving off ground rent for participating countries and keeping property rates unchanged for two years.
The DDA, which is under the Union Ministry of Urban Development, agreed to the demands after several meeting. However, there has been no progress as the matter is stuck with the MEA since September.
The Ministry has to prepare a Cabinet note for approval of the final plan.
According to the DDA, 42 plots have been carved out for this purpose.
These will be given out at different rates, depending on the type of institution — Embassies, charitable institutions, cultural centres, and so on.
“The land has been fully developed with basic infrastructure like roads, water pipelines, electricity lines, storm water drainage systems, sewage lines, etc., for nearly two years now. However, we are still awaiting directions from the Ministry of Urban Development, which in turn will move ahead only if the MEA gives its nod,” said a senior DDA official.
In any case, the plots will be allotted within this year itself by the Ministry, he added.
Apparently, the MEA is also juggling a huge number of applications from various countries for the project. However, preference will be given to countries that are currently renting properties in the Capital, especially in South Delhi.
Thirty-nine countries have rented properties in South Delhi, while 66 nations have Embassies or consulates in the existing Diplomatic Enclave at Chanakyapuri.
The plots have been divided into two categories. While 21 of them have an area of 2,000 sq m, the rest have an area of 1,500 sq m.
