MINUTES OF THE 1850th MEETING OF THE DELHI URBAN ART COMMISSION (DUAC) HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2026.

A.   The minutes of the 1849th meeting of the Delhi Urban Art Commission held on 02.01.2026 were confirmed and approved.

SL. No.PROPOSALOBSERVATIONS /SUGGESTIONSDECISIONREMARKS

B.

Action Taken Reports in respect of Minutes of 1848th meeting held on 24.12.2025.

  1. Action Taken Reports in respect of Minutes of the 1848th meeting held on 24.12.2025 were discussed.
Noted by the Commission.

C. PROJECT PROPOSALS:

1Layout and building plans proposal in respect of Group Housing at Birla Mills Complex, GT Karnal Road, Near Clock Tower, Kamla Nagar.
  1. The North-DMC forwarded (online) the proposal for consideration by the Commission.
  2. The Commission did not accept the building plans proposal at the Conceptual stage at its meeting of September 25, 2025, and specific observations were given. Later, at its November 13, 2025, meeting, the Commission accepted the building plans proposal at the conceptual stage and provided specific observations.
  3. The layout and building plans proposal for Group Housing received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised along with the compliances made to its previous observations communicated vide DUAC conceptually acceptance letter no: OL-03112527057 dated 24.11.2025. Based on the submission & the compliance made, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) All parking provisions shall adhere to all the applicable norms/guidelines/regulations, etc.

b) The Work of public art of suitable scale, size and material, imparting character and identity to the complex shall ensure to be installed in terms of point nos. 14 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) and Memorandum dated October 07, 2025 available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in. Any deviations in the artwork from the approved design must be submitted to the Commission for prior approval before the commencement of construction, to ensure compliance and facilitate final approval upon project completion.

c) The installation of clear-story solar panels on a well-designed structural frame, integrated with the building design, is suggested to ensure the effective utilisation of the space beneath, subject to feasibility as per building bye-laws. This placement also facilitates easy maintenance, reduces heat load through increased shading, and improves aesthetics. The sustainability features shall be as per Point 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval), available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

d) All plumbing pipes, rainwater pipes, service equipment, DG Set, DG exhaust pipes, water tanks, air-conditioning units, solar panels, etc., should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of points nos. 10, 11, and 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval), as available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

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

2Building plans proposal (Demolition and reconstruction) in respect of Residential building at Plot no. 1, Maharaja Lal Lane, Civil Lines.
  1. The North DMC forwarded (online) the proposal for consideration by the Commission.
  2. The Commission did not approve the proposal for demolition and reconstruction at its meeting held on December 3, 2025; specific observations were given.
  3. The building plans proposal for residential building (comprising of basement + Ground + 2 floors) received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised, along with the replies submitted to the previous observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-29112523026 dated 08.12.2025. Based on the replies submitted and the submission made, including drawings and photographs, etc., the following observations are to be complied with:

a) All parking provisions shall adhere to all the applicable norms/guidelines/regulations, etc.

b) Appropriate provisions for drying clothes, accommodating outdoor air conditioners, and their screening mechanisms shall be made so as not to mar the aesthetics of the façade.

c) All plumbing pipes, rainwater pipes, service equipment, water tanks, air-conditioning units, DG set, DG exhaust pipes, solar panels, etc., should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of points nos. 10, 11, and 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval), as available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

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

3Building plans proposal for additions and alterations in respect of Him Hit CGHS Ltd. on plot no. 8, Sector-22, Dwarka.
  1. The DDA forwarded (online) the proposal for consideration by the Commission.
  2. The Commission approved the building plans proposal at its meeting held on March 16, 1998; specific observations were given. The Commission did not approve the building plans proposal for additions and alterations at its meeting held on December 11, 2025; specific observations were given.
  3. The building plans proposal for addition/alteration (addition of bedroom, toilet, balcony, and extension of living and dining room in all units) received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised, along with the replies submitted to the previous observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-02122522118 dated 18.12.2025. Based on the replies submitted and the submission made, including drawings and photographs, etc., the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The Commission observed that while considering the case for additions/alterations, it did not consider and cover the existing built construction at the site. This concerns the proposal for additions and alterations only.

b) It has been observed that the submission has been re-submitted without satisfactorily addressing previous observations outlined in DUAC letter no: OL-02122522118 dated 18.12.2025, which is not appreciated.

c) The earlier observations of the Commission it was mentioned that:

“..It is observed that parking has been proposed along the entire periphery of the complex, resulting in a cramped layout and leaving limited space for fire tender movement, It is therefore suggested that an alternative provision be explored to meet the parking requirements while preserving the complex's visual and environmental aesthetics. All parking provisions shall adhere to all the applicable norms/ guidelines/regulations, etc...”

The architect’s response to the above observations is:

“…The parking have been shown along periphery but 6.0 meter wide road is provided for fire tender movement presently these are approx 100 cars & 70-80 two-wheeler and there are provided under stilt & front set back area. Alternate parking is only mechanical parking and shown is drawing no. 13…”

d) The Commission noted discrepancies in the submission: although parking is indicated in the layout plan, it is not reflected in the proposed 3D views, elevations, or sections, and therefore fails to adequately convey its visual appearance. Further, the proposed double-stack mechanical parking (M-2, M-3), owing to its close proximity to the existing building, is likely to impede natural light and ventilation to the lower floors. Accordingly, the location and height of the proposed parking arrangement need to be re-examined, taking the above observations into consideration. Additionally, Section PP is incorrectly shown, indicating double-stack parking on both sides; however, the layout indicates double-stack on one side only. The sections shall be corrected and revised to clearly depict the double-stack parking in conjunction with the adjacent built-up structure, including windows, to demonstrate its effective functioning. All parking provisions shall adhere to all the applicable norms/guidelines/regulations, etc.

e) The earlier observations of the Commission communicated vide letter no. OL-02122522118 dated 18.12.2025 mentioned that:

“…The proposal at the formal stage lacks clarity, with insufficiently presented additions. To better explain the proposed design scheme, the modifications should be overlaid on the existing building blocks. This will clarify how the new design integrates with the current structure, ensuring visual coherence and considering environmental and aesthetic factors…”

The submitted 3D views continue to lack the requisite details, as the proposed modifications have not been clearly superimposed on the existing building in the 3d views. As a result, the submission does not adequately convey the proposed changes in relation to the existing structure or their impact on the overall appearance of the building. Also, the Commission emphasised that, to obtain the NOC for completion, the building must properly screen all exposed pipes, designate screened spaces for outdoor air conditioning units, and remove all temporary balcony coverings.

f) The proposed architectural elements on the façade, including the balcony railing and jaali, have not been appreciated by the Commission. The termination of the jaali at the railing level is not considered a satisfactory detail and shall be revised, keeping safety standards in mind. Further, the design of the railing shall be reworked to ensure that it is low-maintenance and aesthetically appropriate, while maintaining coherence with the other elements of the façade.

g) To enhance understanding, detailed large-scale drawings, such as plans, elevations, sections, and 3D views, of a typical block should be provided.

h) The Commission emphasised that the building must properly screen all exposed pipes, designate screened spaces for outdoor air conditioning units, and remove all temporary balcony coverings. Appropriate provisions for drying clothes, accommodating outdoor air conditioners, and their screening mechanisms shall be made so as not to mar the aesthetics of the façade.

i) The location of the Swachh Bharat toilet is indicated in the submission; however, the requisite details are missing. It shall be ensured that complete drawings, including plans, elevations, sections, and 3D views, are provided in the revised submission to elaborate the design scheme and demonstrate its integration with the overall complex.

j) All plumbing pipes, rainwater pipes, service equipment, water tanks, air-conditioning units, solar panels, etc., should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of points nos. 10, 11, and 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval), as available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

  1. Overall, the proposal received at the formal stage lacks clarity, has discrepancies, and needs improvement. The architect is advised to adhere to all the above observations and provide a point-by-point incorporation and response.
Not approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting the confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

4

Building plans proposal for additions and alterations in respect of Senior secondary School at Sector 14, Dwarka for Nirmal Society for Education Promotion. (Conceptual stage)

  1. The proposal was forwarded directly by the Architect (online) for consideration by the Commission.
  2. The Commission approved the additions and alterations at its meeting held on 23.09.2015 and subsequently accepted the NOC for Completion at its October 3, 2019.
  3. The building plans proposal for addition/alteration received (online) at the conceptual stage was scrutinised, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) During its meeting on October 17, 2024, the Commission issued specific guidelines through memorandum no. 1(2)/82-DUAC dated October 29, 2024, for the conceptual proposal under review. It was noted that the Authorisation from the owner appointing the architect for the project was missing from the checklist. As the proposal is at the conceptual stage, it is imperative to provide accurate and complete documentation, adhering to the requirements specified in the checklist for conceptual proposals (available on the OPAAS login page under "Steps to Submit Proposals for Conceptual Proposals"). This will ensure that the Commission appropriately considers the proposal.

  1. The Commission did not consider the proposal due to a lack of information at the Conceptual Stage (as per the checklist available on the DUAC website). Thus, the architect is advised to provide complete and correct information including point-wise replies to its observations to ensure consideration of the proposal.
Not accepted, Observations given
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting the confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

The following were present at the Meeting of the Commission held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 11.00 AM onwards:

  1. Shri Ajit Pai, Chairman, DUAC
  2. Prof. Dr Mandeep Singh, Member, DUAC
  3. Shri Ashutosh Kumar Agarwal, Member, DUAC
  4. Smt. Nivedita Pande, Member, DUAC