DDA's mega housing scheme sees poor response

The much sought-after Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats no longer remain a priority for most Delhiites. If the public response is a parameter, then the biggest ever DDA Housing Scheme has failed to hook customers in the national capital.

As the application process ended on Wednesday evening, only 7.5 lakh applications were received against the total 17 lakh forms sold by the DDA.

Till October 9, the earlier deadline for submission of forms, the response to the scheme had remained lukewarm, forcing the development body to extend the last date to October 15.

The next six days recorded nearly 5.5 lakh applications, while a record 1.35 applications were received on Wednesday, which was the last day of the sale of forms.

DDA officials sought to downplay the poor response by saying that strict norms have kept property dealers at bay.

The poor response has greater significance as over 25,000 flats were on offer this time. Senior DDA officials said 20 lakh forms were printed but eventually only 17 lakh forms were sold.

The officials said another reason for the poor response could be due to lack of two and three bedroom flats on offer.

Though the number of flats is the biggest ever by the DDA, the lion's share of it - 22,627 - are only one bedroom flats. Another significant reason was DDA's poor track record in handing over possession of flats.

Over 22,000 flats under the current housing scheme of the development body are still under construction, while the flats which are ready-to-move flats are old constructions.