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Lutyens’ Zone in New Delhi, which also includes the Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ) has recently been proposed to get redesigned. Lutyens’ Zone is named after the leading British architect Edwin Lutyens whomajorly holds the credit for this majestic architectural design and building of the Lutyens’ Zone, when India was under the domination of British Empire in the 1920s and 1930s.
Lutyens’ Zone’s Design & Construction
In order to give a grand shape to this historical central administrative area of the city, Edwin Lutyens formed a team comprising the best architects. The constructionbegan with the goal of preserving one-third of the area as green space. At that time, the area was known as Viceroy’s House. It is now a neighbourhood of the country’s top politicians, business leaders and prominent bureaucrats.
Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone
Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone covers an area of about 26 sq. km. All land in the area belongs to the central government except that 254.5 acres which is being held by private hands. LBZ consists of about 1000 bungalows, where less than 10 percent of the bungalows are under private hands.
In 1972, to create the specified development control room of LBZ, the Urban Development ministry constituted the NDRAC that stands for ‘New Delhi Redevelopment Advisory Committee’. And this was brought to constitution to redevelop the areas around the North of Connaught Place, Prithviraj Road and the area around the walled city.
About the redevelopment proposal
Recently, the Union Urban Development (UD) ministry proposed a plan to shrink the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone by 5.13 sq. km. If the plan gets approved by the GOI (Government of India), it would craft a way for modern high-rises. The recommendations proposed by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) have been accepted by the UD Ministry and has reached the conclusion to shrink the boundary of the iconic bungalow zone of the capital. The report will soon be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for final approval since any policy related to LBZ is subject to be approved from PM’s end.
Whopping Land Prices in LBZ and Bungalow purchases
LBZ is said to be the most expensive real estate in India and most possibly, in the world. The 254.5 acres of Land which is in private hands has appreciated almost eightfold during the last decade, from Rs6,100 crore to Rs 49,000 crore. The neighbourhood of the most powerful people in the country, LBZ is home to people like Rajan Mittal, Bharti Enterprises Vice-Chairman, who owned a bungalow in the area,worth Rs. 156 crore. In the year 2015, the co-founder of India Bulls, Mr. Rajiv Rattan, had reportedly bought a property piece of 2,920 sq. yard plot for a whopping Rs 220 crore.
Potential impact of the new redevelopment plan
The new redevelopment plan for LBZ that’s been proposed by the UD Ministry will exclude the given places-
- Bengali Market
- Golf Links
- Sardar Patel Marg
- Panchsheel Marg
- Jorbagh
- Parts of Mandir Marg
- Ashoka Road
- Sunder Nagar and portions of Chanakyapuri
As there is a ban on the construction of any new building in LBZ since 2003, if the plan gets approved, it will result in a quick real estate boom in the area. The proposal submitted by the Ministry also comprises the drafting of four areas in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone – the north-west part of Feroze Shah Road, parts of Atul Grover and Hailey Road, and areas in the vicinity of the Supreme Court.
Also, in May, the UD Ministry received a report recommended by the DUAC including the core areas which were originally the part of LBZ. These areas were from the areas in and around Rajpath.
