Old flats mar DDA's '17 housing scheme

Two weeks ago, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) rolled out its 46th Aawasiya Yojana that offers over 12,000 flats across all income groups. Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Venkaiah Naidu also announced at the launch that, "DDA would build 1 lakh affordable houses by 2022, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Smart City Mission."

In a city, where half the population is forced to live in slums and unauthorised colonies, legal, clean and affordable housing is a buyer's dream. But Delhiites are not very hopeful. About 10,000 of the total 12,072 flats — priced in a wide range of Rs 7.07 lakh and Rs 1.26 crore — are those returned by allottees in DDA's last scheme in 2014. Many of these 10,000 houses were shabbily built and lacked adequate basic infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply and transport connectivity. Others were too costly with little resale or rent value. But, that's only a small chapter in the land and development agency's long story of systemic failures.

No wonder, the response to the latest scheme has not been very impressive. Till July 11, only 30,000 application forms had been sold. The last date for application submission is August 11. In 2014, 17 lakh forms had been sold. DDA says that many "non-serious" buyers had applied during the previous scheme. A new clause for conditional deduction of the registration fee on surrender has meant fewer applications, says the agency. This time, prospective buyers can visit houses before they apply. DDA has also promised greener environs, better infrastructure and recreational facilities, besides improved connectivity. But inquiries and visits made by DNA show that nothing much has changed.

Of the 12,000 flats, 11,197 are one-bedroom ones in the low-income group (LIG) category, 404 are middle-income group (MIG) ones and 87 are in the high-income group (HIG) category. The LIG flats — priced between Rs 14.50 lakh and Rs 30.30 lakh — are spread mostly across outer Delhi's Rohini (sectors 34 and 35), Narela, Dwarka and Siraspur (near Samaypur Badli). There have been complaints about shabbily-built LIG houses or costly HIG ones — priced between Rs 53.52 lakh and Rs 126.81 lakh.

Even during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, DDA offered houses that were too expensive and lacked basic facilities.

The story of the 2014 housing scheme is not very different. Only 10-15% of those allotted flats are living in them. Those who want to sell the flats cannot do so because the market value is much lower than the original price.

The few who live in LIG flats claim that the constructions were meant to house slum dwellers. There are many from neighbouring regions and other states, who had bought houses, but never moved in. In Rohini sector 34 (pocket 5), there were 1,760 houses on offer in 2014. A total of 900 were allotted. But only 350 are occupied today. Similarly, in Narela's sector G2, of the 2,156 flats on offer, 700 were allotted. But only 200 have families living in them.

Vaibhav Puggal is the first allottee of the 2014 scheme. He is also one of the few who moved into Rohini sector 34 in 2015. He claimed that DDA had, earlier this year, planned to rehabilitate the residents of Kathputhli Colony — a settlement of street performers in Delhi's Shadipur Depot — in those flats.

Puggal has been campaigning against the agency for lack of facilities since he moved in. "The house cost me Rs 17 lakh, but if I want to sell it today, I won't even get what I had paid. The houses were being given to slum dwellers for Rs 1.33 lakh. But even they refused to move in. It was such a relief," he said.

Puggal has also been running a signature campaign against the agency for compensation to the 2014 allottees as they got "matchbox-sized" houses without liveable conditions three years after allotment. Others have rented out their flats, but rue that Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 is the maximum they get. This is because most of those who come to live are domestic helps or those employed in far-off factory units.

Government employee Jaswant Kumar is hoping to apply this year. The family came to visit the Rohini sector 34 LIG flats. A two-way auto-rickshaw ride cost them Rs 500. "These flats are a joke. They are the size of a store room. They are not liveable at all. We wanted to invest in a house for our stay. After seeing the flats, nobody will apply," said Kumar.

The houses are in good condition

We spoke to DDA Housing Commissioner JP Agarwal about lack of success of this scheme and how things will look going forward.

Why should people buy these flats?

We are looking at genuine buyers this time, given the market condition. It's a good scheme and we believe home buyers must utilise it to the optimum. The flats are a good investment. If one compares the prices with the market rates, the scheme is certainly a good deal. The houses are in good condition and will have all the facilities by year-end.

What has changed? Most houses are from the 2014 scheme...

This time, the scheme has been linked to the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, which will allow some people to benefit from a subsidy. Unlike in the past, there is no restriction on the buyers to further sell the houses, as we have removed the five-year lock-in period clause. Also, since this is the first time when potential buyers can visit the houses before applying, we hope more people to decide on houses first and then apply.

There's a lack of basic facilities such as connectivity, and civic amenities. When will these be fixed?

We have six to nine months before the houses are allotted. We have written to all agencies, including Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro, Delhi Transport Corporation and Kendriya Bhandar, among others, to facilitate the requirements. Besides, for a local commercial complex in each pocket selling essentials and groceries, we have earmarked spaces which will be auctioned in the coming two months. Shops will be set up before buyers move in.

How successful do you think the scheme will be?

Firstly, the scheme is coming after three years, so there is a requirement of houses in the capital. Secondly, since the real estate market is down, we expect only serious home buyers — and not builders — to apply. Besides, it will not be easy for people to surrender the houses because of a registration fee forfeiture clause. There will be a penalty for surrendering houses once the draw of lots is done.

It's been two weeks since the scheme was rolled out, but the number of applicants has been low...

The sale of forms will pick up in the last ten days of the scheme, as people don't want to pay interest on the registration fee for a month.