In pics: DDA’s high-end flats to take on pvt builders with more space, comfort

Swanky multi-level underground parking, rainwater harvesting units, buildings touted to withstand an earthquake of 8.5 on Richter scale and spacious bedrooms — all this and much more are in the offing in the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) housing scheme 2018.

Losing out to private builders in the National Capital Region, the Delhi Development Authority are adopting the latest building norms and offering better amenities in its next lot of flats in 2018 to give buyers a better experience.

The authority is constructing 215 higher income group (HIG) flats in south east Delhi’s Jasola Vihar — earthquake-resistant green buildings built with fly-ash bricks. They have a local sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting units, RO-treated water for drinking, multi-level parking underground, etc.

Officials said in a three-tier in-house water management model, water from the in-campus sewage treatment plants can be used in urinals and for horticulture, those generated from rain water harvesting can be used for bathing and kitchen and RO-treated water for drinking, said a senior DDA official.

The new apartments, DDA officials said, would be a benchmark for all its future projects to ensure no one returns flats after alottment. Buyers returned at least 8,000 flats in the 2014 scheme because of lack of basic amenities.

“DDA officials held a series of meetings after the 2014 scheme when many houses were rejected. We couldn’t have done major changes in the flats that were already in construction but with this project, we want DDA to reclaim its position of providing best houses at affordable rates,” said a DDA official.

Once coveted and much sought after, DDA flats are losing competition to private developers that are providing better amenities at lower rates in the National Capital Region.

Out of the 25,000 flats auctioned in 2014, nearly 8,500 allottees surrendered their apartments citing reasons such as size and lack of infrastructure. These were mostly in Dwarka, Rohini and Narela and have been put up for sale again this year.

In the Jasola Vihar model project, the agency says it has made the walls and ceilings waterproof. Water proofing sheets will prevent seepage.

There are facilities for support staff and 1,100 car parking units, which means three slots for each house.

Besides, these 14-floor apartments are said to be first-of-its-kind in which just 20% of the area is being used for the buildings. The remaining part has parking, play areas and parks.

The agency plans to focus more on high-rise apartments to cater to the maximum number of people due to paucity of land.

These flats, constructed in a carpet area of 100sqm with room sizes of around 16x14 feet with a balcony and a bathroom attached with each bedroom, follows the National Building Code 2016.

The code ensures correct spots for building columns, parking norms, height of the buildings corresponding to the floor area ratio. There are proper measures for evacuation in case of fire and emergency.

The DDA claims that the buildings built with the latest earthquake resistant technology (IS13920, IS456 and IS13920) can endure earthquakes up to 8.5 Richter scale.