How was the money spent?

The non-official members of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) have demanded an inquiry into how the bailout package given by the authority to the developer of the Commonwealth Games Village has been used. HT reports.

The non-official members of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) have demanded an inquiry into how the bailout package given by the authority to the developer of the Commonwealth Games Village has been used.

HT Image

The issue came up during a meeting on Thursday when the observations of the Shunglu Committee and the DDA’s reply were being discussed. Though members conceded that some decisions had to be taken for the preparation for the Games when time was limited and were satisfied with DDA’s justification, some non-official members raised the bailout issue.

DDA was assigned the job of constructing the Games Village and Emaar MGF was selected as the project developer on a public-private partnership mode. In 2009, DDA provided a bailout package of R766.89 crore by purchasing 333 flats from the developer. “We have demanded that there be an inquiry into the matter,” said MLA Subhash Chopra, a non-official member of the authority. “Did they use the money for construction of the village or was the cash crunch just an excuse to get the money and invest it elsewhere?” he asked.

Meanwhile, DDA has agreed to allow the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation 200 floor area ratio (FAR) without height restrictions for a housing complex it plans to build near DU.

The issue has been a bone of contention between the DMRC and DDA for some time now and was first reported by the Hindustan Times in March 2010.

Earlier, DDA had allowed only up to 25% ground coverage and 100 FAR to build a residential complex near the Vishwa Vidyalaya Metro station. The DMRC, however, requires about 33% ground coverage and 200 FAR to build a 14-storey building.

The FAR issue is sub judice and has been referred by the high court to be discussed by the developing agency. The DDA has resolved that 200 FAR without any height restriction may be allowed in this case and group housing norms shall apply to this development.

“It was decided that Master Plan-2021 may also be amended so that FAR as applicable for other land in the city will be applicable at par with similarly placed land development by of Metro,” a DDA official said.