Chandigarh – Haryana’s Department of Town and Country Planning is preparing a sweeping overhaul of the state’s land‑use regime. The draft proposal abandons the traditional “positive list” of allowable activities and adopts a “negative list” that merely specifies what cannot be done in each zone.
Understanding the ‘Negative List’ Approach
Under this framework, any activity that does not appear on the prohibited list is automatically considered permissible, provided it conforms to existing planning policies, zoning norms and statutory requirements.
Replacing the Current Development‑Plan Annexure
The planning department plans to retire Appendix‑A from the explanatory notes of the present development plans and introduce a new Appendix‑B that codifies the negative‑list system. The goal is to simplify the land‑use matrix and give developers a clear picture of what is off‑limits while still ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
Restrictions in Residential Zones
The draft keeps a tight lid on several high‑impact activities in residential areas, such as:
- Industrial units and large‑scale warehouses
- IT parks, cyber parks and data centres
- Logistics parks and wholesale operations
- Transport hubs, including bus terminals and transport nagars
- Dairy and poultry farms, mining, stone‑crushing and other hazardous enterprises
These bans aim to protect neighbourhoods from heavy traffic, pollution and industrial hazards.
Limits for Commercial Districts
Commercial zones will be subject to a distinct set of prohibitions, notably:
- Industrial colonies and large logistics parks
- Waste‑water and sewage treatment facilities
- IT parks and data centres
- Tanneries, mining operations and dairy‑related activities
The intent is to preserve the commercial character of these areas while keeping incompatible uses at bay.
Industrial and Transport/Communication Zones
In industrial zones, the proposal bars residential and commercial colonies, educational institutions, and any agricultural or dairy undertakings.
Transport and communication zones will similarly exclude residential and commercial colonies and will also restrict Red‑Category industries and IT parks.
Public‑Utility, Open and Agricultural Areas
Public‑utility zones would prohibit hotels, commercial establishments, schools, industries and warehouses.
Open areas are earmarked for parks, green belts and sports facilities, with all other uses restricted.
Agricultural zones would disallow residential and commercial colonies as well as Red‑Category industrial activities.
Special Powers for Additional Restrictions
The draft empowers the department’s director to impose extra prohibitions in the public interest, while the government retains the ability to relax any of the listed restrictions where law allows.
Public Consultation Phase
A 30‑day window has been opened for citizens, developers, landowners and other stakeholders to submit objections or suggestions. All feedback will be examined before the final rule‑book receives approval.
If enacted, the Negative List model will shift Haryana’s land‑use paradigm from exhaustive permission lists to a clearer focus on what is expressly disallowed.
