The Hindu : New Delhi News : DDA turns a deaf ear to suggestions on land use

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

DDA turns a deaf ear to suggestions on land use

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

Ignores proposals put forward by L-G, Chief Secretary and four political members

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority has conveniently ignored suggestions made by its four political members as also the Secretary to the Lieutenant-Governor and the Chief Secretary of Delhi on the issue of "Alternative Model of Land Assembly and Development'' and "Involvement of Private Sector in Housing'' at its last meeting and will be re-presenting the item in the original form at its meeting due this Tuesday.

The proposal envisages promotion of land pooling or assembly in areas to be identified in the Urban Extensions (excluding urban areas as per MPD 2001, Rohini, Narela and Dwarka). Also, it states that peripheral development shall be undertaken by DDA along with the service agencies, and the internal development shall be the responsibility of the developer.

On involvement of the private sector in housing, it was proposed that private players be involved directly in housing ventures on land acquired or developed by DDA and this would be in addition to the housing activity undertaken through the cooperative group housing societies.

At the last meeting held on May 6, the proposals were discussed in detail and after discussions, Lieutenant-Governor had observed that the proposal envisages a harmonious blend and co-existence of the activities to be undertaken by DDA and the private developers so as to add pace to the housing activities. He had also agreed that more time should be given to the members to study the proposal.

Pertinent points

The other members had also raised pertinent points. The MLA from Nasirpur, Mahabal Mishra, had demanded that the proposal be discussed with the Delhi Government and the Delhi Urban Development Minister. He had also demanded that action should first be taken to identify lands available for private assembly and development and asked if sufficient water, electricity and other civic amenities will be available to sustain the proposal.

Land pockets

The BJP MLA, Mange Ram Garg, had demanded that land pockets proposed under the scheme should be clearly identified as DDA's economically weaker section and jhuggi jhopri units may be in close proximity to the development zones.

Municipal Councillor, Virender Kasana, had pointed out that DDA's future role and responsibilities should be clearly defined and since the management aspect in the group housing societies was very poor, the regular upkeep of these new proposed areas should also be kept in mind.

The Secretary to Lieutenant-Governor had suggested that detailed zonal plans be finalised so that the proposed policy can be meaningfully implemented, while the Chief Secretary of Delhi had advised that private town planners be given direct entry to check delays and the private sector should be associated with the development and maintenance of the greens also.

But DDA chose to ignore all these suggestions and would be bringing the proposal back in its original form. The Commissioner (Planning), A.K. Jain, said the suggestions could be incorporated at a later stage after the proposal had been passed and the policy for privatisation duly approved.

Members unhappy

However, the members are not happy at the development as they say even the broad outlines have not been documented in any brochure format and so at this stage it would be very difficult for the private parties to know the exact nature of the plan. This would only breed more corruption in the organisation, they fear.

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