DDA may make more space for LIG allottees

After repeated complaints regarding the flats allotted by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) being too small and uninhabitable, the authority is exploring the option of constructing new one-bedroom flats for LIG (Lower Income Group) allottees of 2014 and 2017 housing schemes. DDA had allotted over 22,000 LIG flats in 2014 and over 10,000 in 2017 housing schemes. The flats are mostly in Rohini, Dwarka, Siraspur and Narela. The allottees, particularly those of the 2014 scheme, had raised concerns over the size of the flat, and since then, have been requesting DDA to increase it. After complaints, DDA is now exploring the idea of creating bigger LIG flats in the same locations after taking differential cost of the new flats. The other option for the allottees, according to sources, is to merge the flats with adjacent LIG ones to make them bigger. The allottees, however, claimed that they were handed over flats meant for economically weaker sections (EWS), which are smaller, and sought new flats to be made bigger with no additional cost. “We are exploring different options,” DDA vice-chairman Tarun Kapoor told media. He said it is a misconception that EWS flats were provided at the cost of LIG ones, as DDA only charges actual construction cost and doesn’t go by prevalent market rate. “The bedroom of my flat is 7X9 feet, and after somehow fitting in a queen-size bed, I have no space for anything else,” said Varun Bathla, who was allotted a flat in Rohini Sector 35. Bathla, who lives with his wife and two children, said he has kept folding chairs in the drawing room as there is not enough space for a sofa set. “Earlier too, DDA had promised to extend the flats by five feet, but nothing happened. Now, it is saying if we are interested, it can explore the option of creating a new flat and give at differential construction cost. I have already paid Rs 17 lakh and DDA should give me a LIG house and not recover the extra cost,” he said. DDA said the schemes were properly advertised in the newspapers and clear information regarding plinth area and tentative cost was indicated in the scheme brochures. DDA accounts are also subject to audits and, therefore, the cost of the flats is checked by the external audit parties from time to time, the authority said.