Delhi Development Authority

The Delhi Development Authority was created in 1955 under the provisions of the Delhi Development Act "to promote and secure the development of Delhi".

History

Delhi became the focus of government activity in 1911 when the British shifted the capital from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Delhi. The initial location proposed for the capital was to the north of the Northern Ridge. It was later changed to the present location around Raisina Hills. Renowned town planners Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker planned the city of New Delhi in the year 1912. In 1922 a tiny Nazul Office, consisting of 10 to 12 officials, was set up in the Collectorate of Delhi, the first authority to regulate the planned development of the city. In 1937, the Nazul office was upgraded to an Improvement Trust, constituted under the provisions of the United Provinces Improvement Act, 1911, to control building operations and regulate land usage.

India's independence in 1947 and resultant migration increased Delhi's population from 7 lakhs to 17 lakhs by 1951. Open spaces were occupied by migrants. Civic services virtually collapsed. Delhi Improvement Trust and Municipal Body, the two local bodies at that time, were not adequately equipped to cope up with the changing scenario. In order to plan Delhi and to check its rapid and haphazard growth, the Central Government appointed a Committee under the chairmanship of G. D. Birla in 1950. This Committee recommended a Single Planning & Controlling Authority for all the urban areas of Delhi. Consequently, the Delhi Development (Provisional) Authority - DDPA - was constituted by promulgating the Delhi (Control of Building Operations) Ordinance, 1955 (replaced by the Delhi Development Act, 1957) with the primary objective of ensuring the development of Delhi in accordance with a plan.

On 30 December 1957, Delhi Development Authority acquired its present name and its role as the 9th builder of the grand city of Delhi.

Currently, the DDA is involved in the construction work and preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. They are building a Games Village on the banks of the river Yamuna in East Delhi.

The authority has its share of controversies, especially with the allegations of not planning for commercial requirements of Delhi. DDA - Delhi Development Authority instigated operations in 1957 under the Delhi Development Act for a well-planned, orderly and swift development of Delhi into a capital city in its true sense. The biggest challenge in front of the Ministry of Urban Development Delhi has always been to provide adequate residential and commercial infrastructure facilities to over 11 million people in the city.

This metro and Capital of India has been attracting large number of immigrants from the neighboring cities and states and provided an accommodating atmosphere to all. The credit of this largely goes to the Housing Development Authority or DDA. Starting from the basic plan of Delhi by the legendary Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker, DDA Regional Housing Authority had the challenge to develop a pre-painted canvas into a beautiful artifact that New Delhi surely is with plenty room for all and more to come.

DDA Master Plans

The DDA Master Plan was formed in 1962 to ensure an organized and structured development of haphazard growth of Delhi. This included recognizing of new land that can be developed into residential properties and make self-contained colonies by providing ample commercial office and retail complexes as well. The DDA Masterplan was revised in 1982 to formulate the Master Plan 2001 and then re-revised in 2007 to form the Delhi Master Plan 2021.It lays down the basic infrastructure requirements for a city estimated to have a population of 128 Lakhs.

Besides the Master Plan, DDA formulates Zonal Plans, Action Area Plans, Urban Extension Projects etc. focus on particular areas. The spheres covered include residential Housing schemes, commercial complexes and office spaces, land development, recognition and preservation of unknown heritage sites in Delhi, sports complexes, play grounds, Multi-facility Gyms, Golf courses etc.

DDA Housing

The development of Housing projects by DDA commenced in 1967 with construction of houses and providing the basic amenities like electricity, water supply, sewage disposal, and other infrastructure facilities. The new projects undertaken instigate with recognition of project sites, public announcement about the new DDA housing schemes in various categories through newspapers and other media advertisements, formal acceptance of the applications, a transparent draw system for shortlisting of the applicants and finally allotment of the property.

Some popular DDA Housing Schemes of the past include New Pattern Registration Scheme that offers home registration along with the property purchase, Janta Housing Registration Scheme that offers house registrations for the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category and Ambedkar Awas Yojana that alloted Janta, LIG & MIG category flats to the SC/ ST registrants. The Residential land is alloted to individual applicants, the farmers whose land is acquired for development and group housing societies through public auction.

DDA Land Development

The Delhi Development Authority acquires land for development in Delhi. So far, over 64,354.88 acres (260.4350 km²) of land has been acquired with successful development projects on 59,504 acres (240.80 km²) and 30,713.95 acres (124.2949 km²) as residential land. Besides, the construction projects, DDA land development also includes providing a lush green belt and forest area for a clean and healthy environment by developing regional parks, neighborhood parks, district parks, play fields, and sports complexes.

DDA Commercial Properties

DDA undertakes construction, development and maintenance of commercial properties like retail shops in local markets, shopping complexes, office complexes, make shift industrial set ups, hospitals, community halls, clubs, educational institutions, religious segregation centres etc. These properties are disposed through auctions or tenders.

DDA Sports Complexes

Delhi Development Authority aims to provide an entire network of sports facilities through sports complexes, play fields, multi-facility gymnasiums and fitness centres, golf courses etc. DDA provides the basic infrastructure facilities, coaching through the top sports persons in India, providing stipend and kits and other facilities to identify and train budding sports talent in Delhi.

Besides this DDA also conducts various talent hunt schemes through its Sports Complexes in Dwarka, Saket, Hari Nagar and other areas. DDA Dwarka Sports Complex along with DDA Saket Sports Complex plans to host State Level tournaments to provide a platform to professional and amateur sports people to showcase their talent.

See also

External links

• DDA Website
• DDA 2010 Draw Result