In a major relief to its staff, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has asked its staff living in Mayur Vihar quarters — who were asked to shift earlier — to remain there “till further orders”. The DDA has been planning to demolish the staff quarters, and was opposed by the residents tooth and nail.
Sources said Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and LG Najeeb Jung have also written to the DDA vice chairman seeking clarification on the issues raised by the residents and other affected parties.
As reported by The Sunday Guardian earlier, the DDA has planned to demolish 108 units in Mayur Vihar, being used as staff quarters, in order to build multistorey houses. However, the residents have been opposing the move saying the proposed construction will lead to severe ecological imbalance.
According to a source, the DDA has also convened a meeting of engineer members and architects on Friday in which their suggestions/observations would be sought on the issue. The source said there are indications that the plan may get deferred for two years, and subsequently abandoned.
“The DDA staff, living in the quarters, had been asked to give their preference, and to be ready to shift by 31 May 2016. However, after the opposition, the DDA has ‘kept in abeyance’ its decision to shift ‘till further orders’, indicating a rethink on the issue,” the source said.
The DDA has launched Redevelopment of Group Housing Areas scheme as per Delhi Master Plan 2021, for which Pocket III of MayurVihar Phase I has been chosen as the pilot project.
There are 504 three-storey dwelling units of different categories like HIG, MIG and LIG, accommodating about 2200 residents.
Other areas where this scheme would be launched are Rajendra Nagar and Safdarjang Development Area.
According to sources, the DDA is also in the process of shelving the proposal in Rajendra Nagar.
The Mayur Vihar flats were built in the 1980s. While some houses were kept by the DDA for using them as staff quarters, others were sold. Now the DDA wants to demolish 108 units.
There is strong opposition from the residents who say that the DDA should build the new flats in some new area and should not demolish the existing structure, as that will have severe implications.