Delhi government to restart construction of 16,000 flats for poor, repair others

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has decided to restart the construction of about 16,000 semi-built flats meant for economically weaker sections, which could not be completed due to various reasons. The government has also decided to repair 17,660 flats that have been lying unoccupied for several years and are currently in a dilapidated state.

These flats were built by Delhi State Industries and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with financial help from the central government. The department of urban development of Delhi government has approved a proposal for repair of unoccupied EWS flats and construction of semi-built units for a cost of Rs 2,210 crore.

The proposal is likely to be brought before the expenditure and finance committee of Delhi government soon.

Sources said DSIIDC had taken up the construction of 34,260 low-cost houses under the JNNURM scheme following various surveys conducted during the 1990s and 2000s. According to the urban development department, 17,660 flats had been completed and 16,600 remained in different stages of construction due to various factors, including non-availability of some parts of land parcels. Of the 17,660 flats, DSIIDC has already handed over 1,530 flats—362 at Bawana and 1,168 at Baprola— to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board for allotment to jhuggi dwellers.

While DSIIDC now has to carry out certain repairs and replacement of fittings and fixtures in constructed houses, tenders have to be invited for balance work after receipt of funds from Delhi government. “The projects have been conceived considering the priority of JJ clusters to be relocated as requested by various land-owning agencies from time to time,” said an official.
Delhi government to restart construction of 16,000 flats for poor, repair othersAccording to DUSIB and DSIIDC, the incomplete houses require almost two years to be ready for use and even completed houses, which have been lying vacant for a long time, need about eight months to be ready for shifting of beneficiaries.

Sources said due to the delay in completion of houses, the repair and construction cost increased by 50% from about Rs 1,564 crore to Rs 2,210 crore.

Delhi government is also going to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs and about 16,000 of these flats will be taken over by the Centre to be given to private entities such as institutions of industries, private builders, and hospitality and education sectors for their staff, migrant labour and students under affordable rental housing complex scheme.

Officials added that 2,160 houses have been earmarked for CISF, of which 1,536 have already been taken over by the agency while the remaining will be handed over after receiving funds.