DDA needs more time to hand over in situ EWS flats in North Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) won’t be able to hand over possession of 1,063 EWS flats in north Delhi’s Jailorwala Bagh to jhuggi-dwellers living in the neighbourhood by the promised
deadline of November-end. Officials said the finishing work was put on hold due to the enforcement of Graded Response Action Plan
(GRAP)-IV due to deteriorating air quality, and the flats would now be ready in January. “We had plans to give possession in and around Diwali. But due to GRAP and other reasons, some finishing works could not be completed and it will take us a month to finish the flats. The process for obtaining the fire noobjection certificate will start after that,” said an official.

This is the second in situ rehabilitation project of DDA after the inauguration of 3,024 flats at Kalkaji in
November 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The flats are being built under DDA’s Jahan Jhuggi
Wahin Makaan initiative for slum dwellers under the economically weaker section category.
Of the total 1,675 flats at Jailorwala Bagh, 1,063 were allotted to jhuggi-owners in Ashok Vihar in April.
“For allocating the rest, we have identified two more clusters within a 5km range. The verification process
is under process,” said an official. A draw of lots will be held to allot floors. In July, DDA established a facilitation centre on the direction of the lieutenant governor to guide the
allottees to get demand-cum-allotment letters after obtaining the biometrics, make arrangements for loans
through financial institutions, if necessary, and prepare and submit the possession documents.

The construction is costing DDA Rs 421.8 crore and each eligible family is paying Rs 1.7 lakh — Rs 1.4
lakh for the flat and Rs 30,000 as maintenance charge for five years. “DDA is giving a subsidy of approximately Rs 24 lakh for each flat,” said an official. Each 400 sqft flat has two rooms, a kitchen, a
bathroom and a toilet, and a balcony with all civic amenities. Community facilities will be provided in Tower C. Both basement and surface parking will also be available.