Delhi Master Plan 2047: 24-Hour Transit, Affordable Housing Take Centre Stage
New Delhi: The Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047), unveiled by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, outlines a comprehensive vision for the national capital and its surrounding region. The plan prioritises round-the-clock public transit, affordable housing, and transit-oriented development to accommodate a projected population of 3.20 crore by 2047, aligning with the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 initiative.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Khattar noted that Delhi's population has grown from 94 lakh in 1991 to 1.38 crore in 2001 and 2.12 crore in 2021. Currently estimated at around 2.40 crore, the population is expected to reach 3.20 crore in the next 25 years. The plan was unveiled in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
A key element of MPD-2047 is the transition of major transit networks, including the Delhi Metro and the Namo Bharat regional rapid rail, to 24-hour operations, similar to commercial hubs like Mumbai. This shift is intended to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic activity across the National Capital Region (NCR).
The plan also emphasises Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), with inclusive zoning that concentrates affordable housing, offices, retail, education, and public services around major transport corridors. Officials said this approach would reduce travel times, lower traffic congestion, improve land-use efficiency, and create walkable, economically active neighbourhoods.
On infrastructure, the plan focuses on expanding the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and High Speed Rail (HSR) networks. Delhi's metro network, currently 416 km, is expected to grow by an additional 279 km. The RRTS network is planned to be extended to around 383 km, connecting Delhi with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Panipat, Karnal, and Alwar. The operational 82 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor has already reduced travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under one hour.
The government aims to integrate land use, housing, employment, and public transport to create a connected and sustainable metropolitan region. As part of this vision, the plan proposes the addition of 30 to 40 lakh new housing units, with a primary focus on affordable housing.
Industry experts welcomed the plan. Robin Mangla, President of M3M India, said, "The prioritisation of multimodal connectivity in the Delhi Master Plan 2047 could completely transform the real estate landscape of Delhi-NCR. Improved transit connectivity will allow people unable to afford a home in Delhi to live in emerging neighbourhoods nearby, reaching the capital within 1 to 1.5 hours. This will create new opportunities for residential, commercial, and mixed-use development, providing a long-term boost to land and property demand in well-connected areas."
The Master Plan for Delhi 2047 represents a long-term framework for the capital's growth as it approaches the centenary of India's independence. Its success will depend on effective implementation and coordination between central and state agencies.
