**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 770, addressed to the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and answered on July 24, 2025, concerns building byelaws for construction in unauthorized colonies (UCs) in Delhi. The question sought clarification on whether residents of UCs granted ownership rights are permitted to undertake construction or reconstruction on their properties, and if so, the process and required approvals.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs clarified that construction or reconstruction in unauthorized colonies is contingent upon the regularization of the colony's layout plan. Specifically, the 1731 UCs identified for regularization under the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorized Colonies) Regulations, 2019 (notified on 29.10.2019) must meet the minimum conditions outlined in Para 4.2.2.3 B sub para ii of MPD 2021 to have their existing Layout Plans regularized.
Following layout plan regularization, individual landowners can seek approval from the concerned local body for revised building plans, including regularization, additions, alterations, or new construction. This approval is subject to all statutory clearances pertaining to relevant building bye-laws, structural safety, and fire safety regulations. Therefore, construction or reconstruction is not permitted until the UC's layout plan is regularized and individual building plan approvals are obtained from the relevant local body.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for housing and urban development.
SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI: Individual who raised the question about construction byelaws in unauthorized colonies.
SHRI TOKHAN SAHU: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
National Capital Territory of Delhi: The Union Territory encompassing Delhi, where unauthorized colonies are being regularized.
National Capital Territory of Delhi Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorized Colonies Regulations, 2019: Regulations pertaining to the recognition of property rights in unauthorized colonies in Delhi.
MPD 2021: Master Plan for Delhi 2021, a plan guiding the development of Delhi.
Unauthorized Colonies: Areas where construction occurred without the necessary permissions and are now subject to regularization.
Delhi: A state in India where unauthorized colonies are being discussed for regularization.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.770
TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2025
BYE-LAWS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES IN
UNAUTHORISED COLONIES
NO. 770. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the residents of unauthorized colonies who have been
granted ownership rights are permitted to undertake
construction/re-construction on their plots/houses in accordance
with applicable building bye-laws;
(b) if so, the details the process thereof; and
(c) whether any approval is required for the same and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFARIS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (c): No. The 1731 unauthorized colonies (UC) are colonies or
development comprising of a contiguous area, where no permission
has been obtained for approval of layout plan or building plans and
has been identified for regularisation under “National Capital
Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in
Unauthorized Colonies)” Regulations, 2019 notified on 29.10.2019.
UCs/ part UCs that fulfil the minimum conditions set out in Para
4.2.2.3 B sub para (ii) of MPD 2021 will have the option of getting their
existing Layout Plans regularized. Thereafter, individual land owners
may proceed for approval of revised building plan sanction for any
regularization/ addition/ alteration/ new construction from the
concerned local body subject to all statutory clearances w.r.t
relevant provisions of building bye laws, structural safety, fire safety
etc.
*****