The Lt Governor, Anil Baijal, has ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to begin the survey of all Group Housing Societies in order to amend the policies concerning their redevelopment, claimed BJP MP Vijay Goel on Sunday during Delhi’s first Mahasammelan for Group Housing Societies which was held at Talkatora Stadium.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was present as the Chief Guest. The Mahasammelan was organised by the Federations of the Group Housing Societies to discuss and address their various issues, including redevelopment.

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Addressing the gathering of residents and members of the several housing societies of Delhi, Goel said that the preparatory survey would entail determining the present conditions of societies and flats, plot size, the status of civic amenities, and issues faced in converting plots to freehold among other things.

“More than 10 lakh residents live in 1200 Group Housing societies which demand redevelopment as their conditions have become deplorable in the past forty years,” alleged Goel.

He claimed that the entire redevelopment would be carried out on the self-sustainable model and not a single penny would be charged from the residents. “It was decided in meeting with Lt Governor that the societies would undergo redevelopment if at least 66% of the members demand it,” stated Goel.

“Once decided, the residents would shift to rental homes until the new buildings come up. Since there is no height restriction and Master Plan Delhi-2021 permits additional, incentivized Floor Area Ratio (FAR), a 4-storey building would be replaced with 10-storey one. The entire project cost including the rental assistance to residents would be covered by the sale of additional flats,” claimed Goel.

Goel said the redevelopment of housing societies is another opportunity to turn Delhi into a smart city as the new flats would be equipped with parking facilities, community centres, water harvesting systems and all other amenities that the current flats lack today.

Sharing the highlights of the 2019 General Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government aims to provide a roof to every Indian before 2022 and thus to provide affordable housing to the poor and middle class, her maiden budget provides tax rebate of Rs 3.5 lakh on home loans of up to Rs 45 lakh.

Goel warned the government officers to act immediately on the issue of redevelopment else a campaign would be launched against them.