MINUTES OF THE 1628th MEETING OF THE DELHI URBAN ART COMMISSION (DUAC) HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021.

A.   The minutes of the 1627th meeting of the Delhi Urban Art Commission held on 09.12.2021 were confirmed and approved.

SL. No.PROPOSALOBSERVATIONS /SUGGESTIONSDECISIONREMARKS

B.

Action Taken Report in respect of Minutes of 1626th meeting held on 02.12.2021.

Action Taken Report in respect of Minutes of 1626th meeting held on 02.12.2021 was discussed.

Noted by the Commission.

C. PROJECT PROPOSALS:

1Building plans proposal for additions/alterations in respect of 1149 (Old) 1834 (New) Ward No. VIII, Gali Shah Mubarak, Kucha Patiram, Bazar Sita Ram, Delhi

1. The proposal was forwarded by the North DMC (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The proposal is for additions/alterations (addition of first and second floor) but no previous record of the formal approval taken from the Commission was found in the available record with the Commission.

3. The building plan proposal for additions/alterations (first and second floor) received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised. The Commission intended to discuss the matter with the architect related to incomplete submission provided for its consideration, but he did not respond. The following observations are to be complied with:

a) The Commission observed that the proposal is at the formal stage and incomplete submission (3d views missing) has been provided for its consideration.

b) A sufficient number of Self-explanatory annotated 3D views clearly showing the proposed design scheme and clearly specifying the materials to be used on the façade shall be submitted for a better understanding of the proposal.

c) The elevations and sections need to be detailed clearly highlighting the additions/alterations and other details including the architectural elements, sun shading mechanisms, plumbing details etc. The skin sections (in detail) shall be submitted to understand the elevation of the façade with materials.

d) The Commission observed that the air-conditioners would be an eye-sore to the building façade thereby spoiling the aesthetics of the facade. Innovative design provisions shall be made in the design itself at this stage to accommodate the outdoor AC units, and it shall be ensured that the pipes are appropriately screened so that they are not exposed to the outer façade.

e) The proposal has been submitted for the addition of two more floors above an old existing superstructure (which seems to have been constructed from lakhori bricks). A lot of live/dead load is being added to an existing old structure. The structure shall be such designed that it can withstand weather effects, impacts from calamities like earthquakes etc. and can withstand the additional load.

f) Overall, the design scheme submitted by the architect is incomplete. As of now, due to lack of clarity of understanding/incomplete submission, the scheme could not be appreciated and commented upon by the Commission.

4. The architect is advised to revise the submission adhering to all the above observations given by the Commission and submit a complete submission (with complete drawings/documentation etc.) for the consideration of the Commission and furnish a pointwise incorporation/reply.

Not approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

2Revised Layout and Building plan proposal in respect of Residential Group Housing at Plot no. 1, Canal Road, Vijay Nagar, Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the North DMC (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission approved the layout plan of the proposal at its meeting held on July 15, 2015. Further, the layout and the building plans were approved in the meetings held on November 22, 2017, and July 23, 2018, respectively with specific observations. The Commission accepted the revised layout and building plans proposal at the conceptual stage at its meeting held on November 25, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The revised layout and the building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised along with the compliances made to the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-23112127081 dated 03.12.2021. Based on the response and the revised submission made the following observations are to be complied with: 

a) Sustainability features shall be  as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

b) All plumbing pipes, service equipment should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 &12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in. 

Approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

3Completion plan proposal in respect of Institutional building at plot no. B-18, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the South DMC (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission approved the building plan proposal (B+G+3) at its meeting held on April 22, 1987. The building plan proposal for the regularisation of an extension (new block (B+G+5)) to the main building was considered in the meeting held on September 21, 2016. The proposal for additional/alteration (addition of 4th floor above on main building block) was approved in the meeting of the Commission held on May 07, 2018.

3. The building plan proposal for NOC for completion received (online) at the completion stage was scrutinised and the following observations are to be complied with:

a) It was observed that cropped photographs of the completion plan proposal have been submitted which do not clearly indicate the required details. An appropriate number of annotated existing site pictures of the building shall be submitted to understand the actual existing site conditions. They need to be resubmitted with proper uncut views from all sides to comprehend the proposal.

b) It was observed that while forwarding the proposal to the Commission at the completion stage following observation/recommendations has been made in Part-C (completion stage) by the concerned local body (SDMC):

“…….Observations/recommendations of the sanctioning authority while forwarding the matter to DUAC for consideration in the Performa Part-C of the Completion stage from serial no 1 to 4 indicates the following:

“……NO...…”

The Commission considers the proposals based on the certification related to building bye-laws etc. furnished by the concerned local body. Taking into consideration the observations/recommendations made and forwarded by the concerned local body i.e., SDMC, the proposal is not acceptable.

c) In absence of sufficient information provided by the architect/proponent, the proposal could not be examined appropriately by the Commission and commented upon.

4. The Commission considers the proposals based on the certification related to building bye-laws etc. furnished by the concerned local body. Taking into consideration the observations/recommendations made and forwarded by the concerned local body i.e. SDMC, the proposal is not acceptable and referred back to the SDMC.

NOC for completion not accepted, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

4Revised Layout and Building plan proposal in respect of Development project at Kathputli Colony, Near Shadipur Depot, New Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the DDA (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission approved the layout and building plans proposal at its meeting held on January 15, 2014, January 29, 2014, and February 05, 2014, respectively. The revised layout and building plans proposal was approved in the meeting held on January 09, 2018, specific observations were given. But, the Commission did not approve the revised layout and building plans proposal at its meeting held on November 18, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The revised layout and building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised along with the replies submitted by the architect in response to the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-12112122043 dated 01.12.2021. Based on the revised submission and the replies submitted, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The Commission observed that while approving the case for revised layout and building plan proposal at its meeting held on September 04, 2019, the following very specific observations were given:

“…..The entire EWS block building is designed as one block thereby making the central corridor very long, i.e. approx. 1/2 km long, doubly loaded and 1.8m in width. The Commission feels that this can create a lot of social issues on account of high density; therefore, it is suggested that long corridors be closed in such a manner that each block functions as independent segments…..”

The Commission observed that specific observations related to social issues on account of high density and suggesting its remedies were given by the Commission, but no attention to this aspect was given by the architect.

b) The Commission again reiterated the same and expressed its strong displeasure and strongly emphasises that considering social issues like safety and security especially for females, the provisions should have been made in the design on breaking the long corridor at regular intervals to enable providing enough spaces for escape/exit in case of fire, social problems etc.

c) The development is very dense should have enough independent open and exit spaces connected to the outdoors for maintaining the quality of life. The provision of appropriate exits/openings at regular intervals should have been considered while finalising the revisions in the design proposal.

Approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

5Building plans proposal in respect of District Court Complex at Sector-26, Rohini, Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the PWD GNCTD (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised and a detailed discussion was held with the architect on Cisco WebEx Meetings who provided clarifications to the queries of the Commission on various aspects related to inconsistency in the proposal. Based on the proposal received and the discussion held the following observations are to be complied with:

a) A lot of inconsistencies have been observed in the submitted design proposal. The layout plans and 3d views for various floors do not match and thus the scheme needs revision to ensure that elements in layout plans are reflected in the 3d views to clearly define the scheme.

b) The 12th-floor plan shows an open terrace in the layout plan, but the same is not reflected in the 3d views. Also, the Commission suggests that the terraces on the 12th floor be made accessible from various spaces including dining, lounges etc. so that they are maintained and can be appreciated by the users. These can be used as sit-out for outdoor dining in suitable weather conditions if provided proper access.

c) The terrace plan shows elements like skylight, mumty and solar panels in the layout plan, but the same is not reflected in the 3d view thus, not giving a correct representation of the submission.

d) The submitted section (section BB’ & AA’) is incomplete ie. they do not reflect the architectural elements shown in the layout plans, line of ground floor missing etc. thus need to be revised and resubmitted after incorporating the appropriate architectural elements. Also, the skin sections (in detail) shall be submitted to understand the elevation of the façade with materials clearly showing the architectural elements, sun shading mechanisms, plumbing details etc. for a better understanding of the overall scheme.

e) Sections BB’ and AA’ show a level difference of approximately 20.0m which is not appropriately reflected in the 3-d views and thus does not give a correct picture of the design scheme. The above-mentioned should be relooked at /verified and corrected in the 3d views.

f) The boundary wall and entrance gate would have a bearing on the overall aesthetics of the area and need to be designed appropriately and shown with relevant details (plans/elevations/sections/3D views etc.).

g) It was observed that the location of the ATM, Ladies  & Gents toilets, and the guard room etc. provided are also part of the formal submission but their detailed drawings (including screening mechanism, elevations, sections, 3D views etc.) have not been submitted. The Commission observed that these components have a bearing on the overall visual, urban and aesthetic quality of the complex. The same is to be revised appropriately and be incorporated for review by the Commission.

3. The architect is advised to revise the submission adhering to all the above observations given by the Commission and ensure coordinated submission (plans/elevations/sections/3D views etc.) for the consideration of the Commission and furnish a pointwise incorporation/reply.

Not approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

6Completion plan proposal in respect of Bihar Sadan (State Guest House) at Sector -19, Phase 1, Dwarka, New Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the DDA (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission approved the building plan proposal at its meeting held on June 09, 2018, specific observations were given. The Commission did not accept the proposal for NOC for completion at its meeting held on November 18, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The revised proposal for NOC for completion received (online) at the completion stage was scrutinised along with the replies submitted in response to the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-16112148017 dated 01.12.2021. Based on the replies submitted and the revised submission made the NOC is found to be accepted.

NOC for completion accepted.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

7Completion plan proposal in respect of Museum of Prime Ministers of India at Teen Murti Bhawan, New Delhi.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the CPWD (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The proposal was deferred.

Deferred
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

8

Building plans proposal in respect of Addition/alteration in Chinmaya Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School at Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. (Conceptual stage)

1. The proposal was forwarded directly by the architect (online) at the conceptual stage for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission accepted the conceptual plan proposal for additions/alterations at its meeting held on March 16, 1998.

3. The revised proposal for additions/alterations (addition of a new block comprising of a basement (for storerooms), G + three floors) received (online) at the conceptual stage was scrutinised and the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The proposal is for additions/alterations, the parking plan needs to be detailed, i.e. it needs to mark the location of no. of cars, car movement pattern, etc. Not addressing parking requirements could spoil the overall visual, urban, environmental, and aesthetic quality. Existing parking and parking from additional FAR (proposed) are to be shown clearly on the layout plan with the bifurcation of two.

b) Further, the Commission strongly suggests that set-back areas/roads counted towards achieving ECS calculations (for car parking) be avoided. These areas are suggested to be kept free from all vehicular parking requirements, it shall be kept free for emergencies. Instead, alternative mechanisms shall be explored (including accommodating requisite parking requirements in the basement) without compromising areas meant for pedestrians (school children).

c) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

d) All service equipment should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 &12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) are available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

Concept accepted, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

The following were present at the Meeting of the Commission held on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 02.30 PM onwards: 

1.      Shri Ajit Pai, Chairman, DUAC

2.      Shri Ashutosh Kumar Agarwal, Member, DUAC

3.      Smt. Nivedita Pande, Member, DUAC