Hoteliers can now build properties in convention centre premises. A committee of experts reviewing the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021 has approved the setting up of hotels and related activities in convention centres.
According to the present MPD norms, international convention centres are classified as public and semi-public facilities, where hotels are not permitted. However, the committee took the view that there is a need for permitting hotels in order to reduce the movement (travelling) between the conference venue and places where the guests stay.
It, hence, suggested that hotel facilities may be permitted in convention centres. The suggestion would now go to an advisory committee, headed by the Lieutenant Governor - who is also the chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) - for approval. The committee has recommended a maximum of 40% of a centre's floor area ratio be permitted for use as hotels and other related activities.
The suggestion to allow hotels in international convention centres, apart from an overall increase in the floor area ratio, had come from the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India. The federation has presented a report on similar facilities available in convention centres in six international cities.