THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI LAWS 
(SPECIAL PROVISIONS) SECOND ACT, 2011 
__________ 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
Last update: 16-3-2021 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent, commencement and duration. 
2.  Definitions. 
3.  Enforcement to be kept in abeyance. 
4.  Provisions of this Act not to apply in certain cases. 
5.  Power of Central Government to give directions. 
6.  Validation of acts done or omitted to be done, etc., during 1st January, 2012 up to the date of 

enactment of this Act. 

1 

 
 
 
 
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI LAWS 
(SPECIAL PROVISIONS) SECOND ACT, 2011 
ACT NO. 20 OF 2011 

[23rd December, 2011.] 
An  Act  to  make  special  provisions  for  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  1[for  a  further 
period  up  to  the  31st  day  of  December,  2023]  and  for  matters  connected  therewith  or 
incidental thereto. 

WHEREAS there has been phenomenal increase in the population of the National Capital Territory of 
Delhi  owing  to  migration and  other  factors  resulting  in  tremendous  pressure  on  land  and  infrastructure 
leading to encroachment or unauthorised developments which are not in consonance with the concept of 
planned development as provided in the Master Plan for Delhi, 2001 and the relevant Acts and building 
bye-laws made thereunder; 

AND WHEREAS the Master Plan for Delhi, 2001 was extensively modified and notified by the Central 
Government on the 7th day of February, 2007 with the perspective for the year 2021 keeping in view the 
emerging new dimensions in urban development vis-a-vis the social, financial and other ground realities;  

AND WHEREAS the Master Plan for Delhi with the perspective for the year 2021 specifically provides 

for strategies for housing for urban poor as well as to deal with the informal sector; 

2* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

 3[AND WHEREAS the exercise to formulate the Master Plan for Delhi with the perspective for the year 

2041 is under progress; 

AND WHEREAS the National Capital Territory of  Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents 
in  Unauthorised  Colonies)  Act,  2019  (45  of  2019)  was  enacted  to  recognize  and  confer  rights  of 
ownership or transfer or mortgage to the residents of unauthorized colonies as one time special measure; 

AND  WHEREAS  in  supersession  of  the  Regulations  for  Regularisation  of  Unauthorised  Colonies  in 
Delhi  notified  on  24th  March,  2008,  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  (Recognition  of  Property 
Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019 notified in the Gazette of India on 29th 
October, 2019; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  process  of  conferring  the  ownership  rights  to  the  residents  of  unauthorised 
colonies and the finalisation of the Development Control Norms for unauthorised colonies as provided in 
the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  (Recognition  of  Property  Rights  of  Residents  in  Unauthorised 
Colonies) Regulations, 2019 is under progress and will take time; 

AND WHEREAS based on the policy finalised by the Central Government regarding village abadi area 
and their extensions, the Building Regulations for Special Area, Unauthorised Regularised Colonies and 
Village Abadis, have been made by the Delhi Development Authority under sub-section (1) of section 57 
of the Delhi Development Act, 1957 (61 of 1957) notified in the Gazette of India vide S.O. 97(E), dated 
the 17th January, 2011; 

AND  WHEREAS  more time is required for completion of action envisaged for unauthorised colonies, 

village abadi area and their extension and special areas;] 

AND  WHEREAS  the  revised  policy  for  proper  arrangements  for relocation and  rehabilitation  of  slum 
dwellers and jhuggi-jhompri clusters in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been formulated and 
accordingly,  the  Delhi  Urban  Shelter  Improvement  Board  Act,  2010  (Delhi  Act  7  of  2010)  has  been 
enacted by the Legislature of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and notified with effect from the 1st 
July,  2010to  provide  for  implementation  of  schemes  for  improvement  of  slums  and  jhuggi-jhompri 

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 2, for “for a further period up to the 31st day of December, 2020” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
2. Fourth paragraph omitted by Act 32 of 2017, s. 3 (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 
3. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 3, for fourth Paragraph to eighth paragraph (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
clusters with a view to bring improvement in environment and living conditions, and to prepare housing 
scheme for such persons; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  Delhi  Urban  Shelter  Improvement  Board  has  identified  about  six  hundred  and 
eighty-five  jhuggi-jhompri  clusters  in  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  and  relocation  thereof  is 
likely to take considerable time; 

1[AND  WHEREAS  the  revised  policy  regarding  farm  houses  is  being  prepared  by  the  Delhi 

Development Authority and its finalisation is likely to take more time;] 

AND  WHEREAS  pursuant  to  2[the  Master  Plan],  the  Zonal  Development  Plans  in  respect  of  various 
Zones have been notified which provides for regularisation of schools, dispensaries, religious institutions 
and 
in  
cultural 
non-conforming areas; 

established 

institutions 

January, 

before 

2006 

the 

1st 

on 

or 

AND  WHEREAS  the  policy  with  respect  to  storages,  warehouses  and  godowns  used  for  agricultural 
inputs or produce (including dairy and poultry) in rural areas built on agricultural land and guidelines for 
redevelopment of existing godown clusters in non-conforming areas (including those for a storage of non-
agricultural goods) required to cater to the needs of the people of the National Capital Territory of Delhi 
are  under  consideration  of  the  Central  Government  in  consultation  with  the  Delhi  Development 
Authority; 

3[AND WHEREAS the policy with respect to the norms for godown clusters existing in non-conforming 

areas has been notified by the Central Government on 21st June, 2018;] 

 AND  WHEREAS  with  respect to special areas  (being  the  areas  consisting  of  walled  city,  walled  city 
extension and area known as Karol Bagh and as such other areas as may be designated as special area) 
referred  to  in  clause  (vi)  of  regulation  2  of  the  Building  Regulations  for  Special  Area,  Unauthorised 
Regularised Colonies and Village Abadis, 2010 notified in the Gazette of India vide S.O. 97(E), dated the 
17th January, 2011, is being taken for formulation of redevelopment plan and schemes by concerned local 
authority which is likely to take considerable time; 

AND WHEREAS rule 12 of the Delhi Development (Master Plan and Zonal Development Plan) Rules, 
1959 provides for amendment of whole or any part of the Master Plan, if necessary, at the expiry of every 
five years and accordingly in pursuance of the aforesaid rule 12, the process of quinquennial revision of 
the  provisions  of  the  Master  Plan  notified  on  the  7th  February,  2007,  is  being  undertaken  for  such 
modifications and updating that have emerged based on ground realities which is likely to take some time 
for finalisation; 

AND  WHEREAS  in  view  of  the  foregoing  paragraphs,  it  is  expedient  and  in  public  interest  that  no 
hardship be caused (whether by way of sealing or demolition of the structures or otherwise), to the public 
until  the  revision  of  Master  Plan  as  stated  in  the  preceding  paragraph  is  undertaken  to  facilitate  the 
smooth review of the Master Plan; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  National  Capital Territory  of  Delhi  Laws (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2007  (43  of 
2007) was enacted on the 5th day of December, 2007 to make special provisions for the areas of National 
Capital Territory of Delhi for a period of up to the 31st day of December, 2008 which ceased to operate 
after the 31st December, 2008; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  National  Capital Territory  of  Delhi  Laws (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2009  (24  of 
2009) was enacted in continuation of the aforesaid Act for a period up to the 31st day of December, 2009 
to make special provisions for the areas of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and that Act ceased to 
operate after the 31st day of December, 2009; 

AND WHEREAS the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2009 
(40 of 2009) was enacted in continuation of the aforesaid Act for a period up to the 31st day of December, 

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 3, for eleventh paragraph (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
2. Subs. by Act, 4 of 2021, s. 3, for “the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
3. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 

3 

 
                                                           
2010 to make special provisions for the areas of National Capital Territory of Delhi and that Act ceased to 
operate after the 31st day of December, 2010; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  Laws  (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2011  (5  of 
2011) has been enacted to give continued effect to provisions of the enactment specified in the preceding 
paragraph for a period up to the 31st day of December, 2011 and to make special provisions for the areas 
of  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  and  that  Act,  shall  cease  to  operate  after  the  31st  day  of 
December, 2011; 

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to have a law in terms of 1[the Master Plan], in continuation of the said 
Acts  2[for  a  period  up  to  3[the  31st  day  of  December,  2023]]  to  provide  for  relief  and  to  minimise 
avoidable hardships and irreparable loss to the people of the National Capital Territory of Delhi against 
any punitive action by any agency in respect of the persons covered by the policies referred to above. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

1.  Short  title,  extent,  commencement  and  duration.—(1)  This  Act  may  be  called  the  National 

Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011. 

(2) It extends to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. 

(3) It shall come into force on the 1st day of January, 2012. 

(4) 4[It shall cease to have effect on the 31st day of December, 2023], except as respects things done 
or omitted to be done before such cesser, and upon such cesser section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 
(10 of 1897), shall apply as if this Act had then been repealed by a Central Act. 

2. Definitions.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a)  “building  bye-laws”  means  bye-laws  made  under  section  481  of  the  Delhi  Municipal 
Corporation  Act,  1957  (66  of  1957)  or  the  bye-laws  made  under  section  188,  sub-section  (3)  of 
section 189 and sub-section (1) of section 190 of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 (Punjab Act 3 of 
1911),  as  in  force in  New Delhi  or  the regulations  made  under  sub-section  (1) of  section  57  of  the 
Delhi Development Act, 1957 (61 of 1957), relating to buildings; 

(b)  “Delhi”  means  the  entire  area  of  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  except  the  Delhi 
Cantonment  as  defined  in  clause  (11)  of  section  2  of  the  Delhi  Municipal  Corporation  Act,  1957         
(66 of 1957); 

(c) “encroachment” means unauthorised occupation of Government land or public land other than 
streets,  lanes,  footpath  and  parks,  by  way  of  putting  temporary,  semi-permanent  or  permanent 
structure for residential use or commercial use or any other use; 

(d)  “local  authority”  means  the  Delhi  Municipal  Corporation  established  under  the  Delhi 
Municipal  Corporation  Act,  1957  (66  of  1957),  or  the  New  Delhi  Municipal  Council  established 
under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (44 of 1994) or the Delhi Development Authority 
established under the Delhi Development Act, 1957 (61 of 1957), legally entitled to exercise control 
in respect of the areas under their respective jurisdiction; 

5[(e)  “Master  Plan”  means  the  Master  Plan  for  Delhi  as  notified  under  the  Delhi  Development 

Act, 1957 (61 of 1957);] 

(f) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(g)  “punitive  action”  means  action  taken  by  a  local  authority  under  the  relevant  law  against 
unauthorised  development  and  shall  include  demolition,  sealing  of  premises  and  displacement  of 

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 3, for “the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
2. Subs. by Act 32 of 2017, s. 3, for “for a period up to the 31st day of December, 2017” (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 
3. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 3, for “the 31st day of December, 2020” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “It shall cease to have effect on the 31st day of December, 2020” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
5. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for clause (e) (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 

4 

 
                                                           
persons  or  their  business  establishment  from  their  existing  location,  whether  in  pursuance  of  court 
orders or otherwise; 

(h) “relevant law” means in case of— 

(i) the Delhi Development Authority, the Delhi Development Act, 1957 (61 of 1957); 

(ii)  the  Municipal  Corporation  of  Delhi,  the  Delhi  Municipal  Corporation  Act,  1957  

(66 of 1957); and 

(iii)  the  New  Delhi  Municipal  Council,  the  New  Delhi  Municipal  Council  Act,  1994  

(44 of 1994); 

(i)  “special  area”,  shall  have  the  meaning  assigned  to  it  in  clause  (vi)  of  regulation  2  of  the 
Building Regulations for Special Area, Unauthorised Regularised Colonies and Village Abadis, 2010 
notified in the Gazette of India vide S.O. 97(E), dated the 17th January, 2011; 

(j) “unauthorised development” means use of land or use of building or construction of building 
or development of colonies carried out in contravention of the sanctioned plans or without obtaining 
the sanction of plans, or in contravention of the land use as permitted under the Master Plan or Zonal 
Plan or layout plan, as the case may be, and includes any encroachment. 

 (2)  The  words  and  expressions  used  but  not  defined  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  respectively 
assigned to them in the Delhi Development Act, 1957 (61 of 1957), the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 
1957 (66 of 1957) and the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (44 of 1994). 

3. Enforcement to be kept in abeyance.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any relevant 
law  or  any  rules,  regulations  or  bye-laws  made  thereunder,  the  Central  Government  shall  before  the 
expiry of this Act, take all possible measures to finalise norms, policy guidelines, feasible strategies and 
make orderly arrangements to deal with the problem of encroachment or unauthorised development in the 
form of encroachment by slum dwellers and Jhuggi-Jhompri clusters, 1*** unauthorised colonies, village 
abadi area (including urban villages), and their extensions, existing farm houses involving construction 
beyond  permissible  building  limits  and  schools,  dispensaries,  religious  institutions,  cultural  institutions, 
storages, warehouses and godowns used for agricultural inputs or produce (including dairy and poultry) in 
rural areas built on agricultural land, as mentioned below:— 

(a) orderly arrangements for relocation and rehabilitation of slum dwellers and  Jhuggi-Jhompri 
clusters in  Delhi in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  the  Delhi  Urban  Shelter Improvement  Board 
Act, 2010 (Delhi Act 7 of 2010) and  2[the Master Plan] to ensure its development in a sustainable, 
planned and humane manner; 

3* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

4[(c) orderly arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the National Capital Territory of 
Delhi  (Recognition  of  Property  Rights  of  Residents  in  Unauthorised  Colonies)  Act,  2019  (45  of 
2019),  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  (Recognition  of  Property  Rights  of  Residents  in 
Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019 and the regulations for village abadi area (including urban 
villages) and their extensions as per the following cut-off dates:- 

(i)  for  unauthorised  colonies  as  provided  in  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi 

(Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019; 

(ii) for village abadi area (including urban villages) and their extensions as existed on the 31st 
day of March, 2002 and where construction took place even beyond that date and up to 1st day of 
June, 2014;] 

(d)  policy  regarding  existing  farm  houses  involving  construction  beyond  permissible  building 

limits; 

1. The words “hawkers and urban street vendors,” omitted by Act 32 of 2017, s. 5 (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 
2. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 6, for “the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
3. Clause (b) omitted by Act 32 of 2017, s. 5 (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 
4. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 6, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 (e) policy or plan for orderly arrangement regarding schools, dispensaries, religious institutions, 
cultural  institutions,  storages,  warehouses  and  godowns  used  for  agricultural  inputs  or  produce 
(including dairy and poultry) in rural areas built on agricultural land and guidelines for redevelopment 
of existing godown clusters (including those for a storage of non-agricultural goods) required to cater 
to the needs of the people of the National Capital Territory of Delhi; 

(f) orderly arrangements in respect of special areas in accordance with the Building Regulations 
for Special Area, Unauthorised Regularised Colonies and Village Abadis, 2010 within overall ambit 
of Master Plan in force; and 

(g) policy or plan for orderly arrangements in all other areas of the National Capital Territory of 

Delhi in consonance with the Master Plan on its review.  

(2) Subject to the provisions contained in sub-section (1) and notwithstanding any judgment, decree 

or order of any court, status quo— 

(i) as on the 1st day of January, 2006 in respect of encroachment or unauthorised development; 

1[(ii) in respect of unauthorised colonies identified under the National Capital Territory of Delhi 
(Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019, in respect 
of village abadi area (including urban villages) and their extensions, which existed on the 31st day of 
March, 2002, and in aforesaid categories, where construction took place up to 1st day of June, 2014, 
as mentioned in sub-section (1);] 

(iii)  in  respect  of  special  areas  as  per  the  Building  Regulations  for  Special  Area,  Unauthorised 

Regularised Colonies and Village Abadis, 2010; and 

 (iv) in respect of all other areas within the National Capital Territory of Delhi as on the 8th day 

of February, 2007, 

shall be maintained. 

Explanation.—  For  the  purposes  of  this  sub-section,  it  is  hereby  clarified  that  any  development 
approved  by  the  competent  authority  or  the  local  authority  under  the  relevant  laws  and  the  rules  or 
regulations  made  thereunder,  including  repairs  permissible  under  the  building  bye-laws  in  force,  shall 
continue to remain permitted. 

(3)  All  notices  issued  by  any  local  authority  for  initiating  action  against  encroachment  or 
unauthorised development in respect of areas referred to in sub-section (1), shall be deemed to have been 
suspended and no punitive action shall be taken 2[till the 31st day of December, 2023], if— 

(a)  it  is  constructed  prior  to  the  dates  specified  for  different  areas  as  enumerated  in  

sub-section (2); 

(b) it conforms  to  the  safety  standards  as in  force  or  such  other  safety  requirements  as  may  be 

notified by the Central Government; and 

(c)  it  complies  with  the  directions  with  respect  to  safety,  if  any,  issued  by  the  Central 

Government: 

Provided that in case punitive action is required to be taken by any local authority, prior approval of 
the  Administrator  of  the  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi  or  the  officer  authorised  by  him  in  this 
behalf, shall be obtained by the authority or officer concerned. 

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Act, the Central Government may,  3[at any 
time  before  the  31st  day  of  December,  2023],  withdraw  the  exemption  by  notification  in  respect  of 
encroachment or unauthorised development mentioned in sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), as the case 
may be. 

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2021, s. 6, for clause (ii) (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
2. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “till the 31st day of December, 2020” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 
3. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “at any time before the 31st day of December, 2020” (w.e.f. 29-12-2020). 

6 

 
                                                           
4. Provisions of this Act not to apply in certain cases.—During the period of operation of this Act, 
no relief shall be available under the provisions of section 3 in respect of the following encroachment or 
unauthorised development, namely:— 

(a) encroachment on public land except in those cases which are covered under clauses 1[(a) and 

(c)] of sub-section (1) of section 3; 

(b)  removal  of  slums  and  Jhuggi-Jhompri  dwellers,  2***  unauthorised  colonies  or  part  thereof, 
village  abadi  area  (including  urban  villages)  and  their  extensions  in  accordance  with  the  relevant 
policies  approved  by  the  Central  Government  for  clearance  of  land  required  for  specific  public 
projects. 

5. Power of Central Government to give directions.—The Central Government may, from time to 
time, issue such directions to the local authorities as it may deem fit, for giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act and it shall be the duty of the local authorities, to comply with such directions. 

6. Validation of acts done or omitted to be done, etc., during 1st January, 2012 up to the date of 
enactment of this Act.—Notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court, all things done, or, 
omitted to be done, and all action taken, or, not taken, during the period beginning on or after the 1st day 
of January, 2012 and ending immediately before the date of enactment of this Act, shall, in so far as they 
are in conformity with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done, or, omitted to be done, or, 
taken,  or,  not  taken,  under  these  provisions  as  if  such  provisions  were  in  force  at  the  time  such  things 
were done or omitted to be done and action taken or not taken during the aforesaid period. 

__________ 

1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2017, s. 6, for “(a), (b) and (c)” (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 
2. The words “hawkers and urban street vendors,” omitted by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 31-12-2017). 

7 

 
 
 
                                                           
