Concerned over depletion of green cover, RWAs oppose DDA's vertical plan

A new redevelopment policy of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has paved the way for taller skyline and thousands of new residential units in Delhi but at the cost of free space and greenery in housing societies.

The policy would increase the floor area ratio (FAR) by 50 per cent and allow constructing high-rise buildings in cooperative group housing societies, but the residents fear that new apartments would reduce the green cover and common space within their premises. The redevelopment policy has been approved and is awaiting notification by the Centre.

DDA officials said additional FAR would permit the group housing societies to demolish the existing flats and redevelop them into high-rise apartments. This will also benefit the DDA societies where new apartments can be constructed to accommodate more dwelling units to meet the ever-growing residential needs in the Capital. However, the Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Delhi alleged that the policy will be a moneymaking exercise for builders and development agencies.

"More dwelling units will mean more money for developers. But the new constructions and increase in population density will increase the burden on existing infrastructure, particularly parking space, sewage system, and parks and playgrounds in these societies," said an office-bearer of GK-I RWA.

DDA officials, however, said the new constructions will be subject to availability of free land where the societies can either raise multi-storey towers parallel to the existing structures or add rooms to the existing flats on each of the floors.

"The redevelopment policy is awaiting notification by the Urban Development Ministry. Additional FAR will enable the members of group housing societies to redevelop the societies with mutual consent and NOC from the registrar of group housing societies.

Thousands of new dwelling units will come up with the new policy coming into effect," DDA vicechairman Balvinder Kumar told MAIL TODAY.

Officials said the additional FAR will lead to an increase in the number of new apartments and a drop in prices. This will also be the first step in having a taller skyline in Delhi, much like the top metro cities of the world. A number of DDA societies in Delhi have flats built up to the second and third floors only. With the new redevelopment policy, the DDA will also be able to erect high-rise buildings in these societies.

According to estimates, there are nearly 10 lakh flats in all types of societies in Delhi. Of these, nearly three lakh flats are in DDA societies whereas the remaining seven lakh flats exist in cooperative group housing societies.

After relaxation of current limit, developers and builders can enjoy the benefits of increased FAR in two ways. Firstly, builders or developers can go vertical by adding floors; and secondly, they can expand horizontally by erecting parallel towers on the same plot subject to availability of free land. Officials said the vertical height of the buildings can be increased up to 20 floors in certain locations, compared to four to six floors now. This, however, will be subject to clearance from the Airports Authority of India, environment ministry, Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) and the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

The DDA vice-chairman said additional FAR would also help in regularisation of the extended portion of the existing houses. At present there is a provision of getting the illegal construction regularised on paying penalty and fixed development charges to the DDA. It may be noted that during the review of Master Plan of Delhi-2021, the DDA has already enhanced the FAR by 50 per cent for social infrastructure and commercial establishments like hospitals, community centres, recreational clubs, higher educational institutes, service apartments and hotels. The redevelopment policy will be applicable on all group housing societies in Delhi.

"The redevelopment policy appears to be a good idea but the DDA must take care of environmental concerns. The living condition of residents should not be compromised with," said Rajiv Kakria, president of United Residents of Delhi (URD), a group of RWAs.