DDA plans for Capital

Having accomplished the hassle-free launch of its biggest-ever housing scheme in the year gone by, the Delhi Development Authority has lined up a number of initiatives for 20 IS that are designed to make the life of residents in Delhi a lot easier. Besides slashing conversion charges for prime markets in the Capital, the DDA board gave nod to transit oriented development, de-notification of colonies falling in some development areas, budget for the financial year and many other policy

In a bid to strengthen its citizen-friendly image, the Delhi Development Authority has come up with a slew of steps, including rationalization of conversion charges and nod for transit-related development corridors in the national Capital. The two major announcements along with the approval to ~9,000-crore budget for the financial year 2015-16 were made at the board meeting of the Authority, in New Delhi on February 16.

The main areas of focus for the agency, as delineated in the budget, will be on construction of houses, development and disposal of land, better infrastructure, expansion of greens and other miscellaneous activities.

To provide relief to thousands of shopkeepers running their businesses from upper houses of buildings meant for residential purposes, the Authority rationalised and slashed the conversion charges for 80 markets, including Sarojini Nagar, Khan Market and Green Park, from ~89,094 per sq. m. of built-up area to~22,274 per sq. m.

The DDA said these shopping-cum-residential areas were constructed much before the 1962 Master Plan Delhi. In the 2001 Master Plan, these areas were declared as local shopping centres. Residential portion of the market, over a period of time was being used for commercial purposes, necessitating change of use. It was allowed, subject to payment of conversion charges of ~89,094 per sq. m., through a notification dated July 10, 2012. These were found to be very high and, therefore, were slashed.

A part of money collected from property conversion will be transferred to the three municipal corporations in the Capital.

The DDA also approved de-notification of colonies falling in particular development area and the building activities there would stand transferred to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The colonies which fall in these development areas are Mianwali Nagar, Paschim Puri, Nagin Lake Apartment, Ekta Enclave, SBI Colony, Shubham Enclave, Adarsh Apartments and six others. The matter will now be referred to the Land and Building Department ofthe Delhi Government.

Another major decision taken at the DDA board meeting was the approval to the ‘Environment and Transport’ chapters of Master Plan for Delhi 2021 which includes transit-oriented development (TOD). The TOD model seeks reduction in road congestion through less dependence on private vehicles and more on improved public transport system. Realty & More was among the first publications to have carried an exhaustive report on the Karkardooma transit-oriented development plan in its January 2015 issue.

The revised Environment chapter envisages creation of a sustainable physical and social environment for improving quality of life as major objectives of the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) being the highlight of the Transport chapter will facilitate people to live, work and seek entertainment in a zone that balances commercial and residential areas with an integrated network of smarttransport facilities.

“TOD will be applicable within 500-metre influence zone of the (centre line of) MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) corridors. The norms will facilitate more people to live, work and seek entertainment within walking distance of stations. ‘

‘This will also seek to balance/redistribute densities over the city along MRTS corridors,” the DDA budget said.

As per the norm, a maximum FAR (Floor Area Ratio) of 400 and a maximum density of 2,000 persons per hectare (PPH) is permissible for purposes of infrastructure planning, it said.

• To provide relief to thousands of shopkeepers running their businesses from upper houses of buildings meant for residential purposes, the Authority rationalised and slashed the conversion charges for 80 markets, including Sarojini Nagar, Khan Market and Green Park, from 289,094 per sq. m. of built-up area to 222,274 per sq.m.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) being the highlight of the Transport chapter will facilitate people to live, work and seek entertainment in a zone that balances commercial and residential areas with an integrated network of smart transport facilities.

“Permissibility of mixed-use within all land uses will reduce car-dependency and reduce congestion on roads. It will also allow greater flexibility to the development to adapt to local context and marketbased needs,” it added

The first TOD project at Karkardooma in East Delhi will be taken up soon and a memorandum of understanding between DDA and National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) which will be taking up the project on behalf of DDA was also approved in the meeting. (The MoU was signed on February 27)

TOD norms allow for mix of incomes within communities with shared public spaces, greens, recreational facilities and amenities which will minimise gentrification and create more communityoriented development.

Setting for itself a target of adding one lakh houses in the national Capital by the end of 2016, the DDA decided to focus on building flats with smart and modern designs, besides a housing scheme for senior citizens and green buildings.

It is worth mentioning here that while the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Development wanted the DDA to construct one lakh houses by the end of this year itself, the DDA acted more pragmatic and promised to deliver these flats by the end of 2016 only.

“By the end of this year we will be in a position to have 1 lakh houses under construction so that by 2016-17 we can announce a scheme of up to 1 lakh housing, including affordable houses,” DDA Vice-Chairman told Realty & More.

A noteworthy feature, however, is for the first time the Delhi Development Authority has approved a proposal to build studio apartments for the senior citizens. The total number of flats to be constructed is approximately 2,000 and the location of the flats will be at Rohini, Dwarka, Maidangarhi and Sanjay Lake. The project is expected to be completed within three years. The area of the flat will range from 40 to4 5sq. m.

“By the end of this year we will be in a position to have one lakh houses under construction so that by 20 16-17 we can announce a scheme of up to one lakh housing, including affordable houses”. BALVINDER KUMAR Vice-Chairman, DDA

According to media reports, the apartments will be small one-room flats that will have a combined bedroom, kitchen and living space. The houses will have a bathroom and a balcony too. The housing complex will have a library, medical facilities, meditation and yoga rooms, canteen and common rooms with a television. It will also have parks and walking tracks.

• Setting for itself a target of adding one lakh houses in the national Capital by the end of 2016, the DDA decided to focus on building flats with smart and modern designs, besides a housing scheme for senior citizens and green buildings.
• For the first time the Delhi Development Authority has approved a proposal to build studio apartments for the senior citizens. The total number of flats to be constructed is approximately 2,000 and the location of the flats will be at Rohini, Dwarka, Maidangarhi and Sanjay Lake. The project is expected to be completed within three years. The area of the flat will range from 40 to 45 sq. m.

The DDA Vice-Chairman told Realty & More that the project has “almost started. We have already selected architect for the project. The sites for the project have also been identified. “Asked as to when he expected the scheme to be launched, Kumar said, “We are working on the project. “Regarding the number of such apartments, he said, “We will devote this project to 2,500 new residents.”

Earlier, Kumar was quoted in the media as saying, “Senior citizens want security and medical facility. We will ensure they get it all. We will also talk to banks and see if they can offer loans to senior citizens staying alone in Delhi on reverse mortgage so that they can apply in our scheme”.

Coming to financials, the~9,000-crore budget ofthe housing authority presented by Finance Member Venkatesh Mohan shows a growth of 172 per cent over revised estimate (RE) of 2014-15. This contrasts with growth rates of 50 per cent during the past year. The budget also earmarked Rs 750 crore in RE 2014- 15 and ~800 crore in budgetary estimate (BE) 2015- 16 for expansion of greens. Five sports complexes have also been envisaged.

The DDA has also earmarked grants to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation amounting to ~313.50 crore each during RE 2014-15 and BE 2015-16. A sum of nearly ~360 crore has also been set aside towards maintenance fund for the first time in the context of Housing Scheme 2014.