RWAs Welcome DDA Move to Hike Floor-Area Ratio

A large number of cooperative housing societies have welcomed DDA’s notification allowing higher floor-area ratio (FAR) for existing group housing societies, approved by the LG’s office. Since the increased FAR – from 150 to 200 – applies only to new constructions, these societies are considering bringing down old structures to make way for new buildings.

The provision for higher FAR in cooperative societies is part of the new master plan. “We were getting a lot of queries from group housing societies that wanted to make use of the excess FAR. However, it was felt that the exisiting societies cannot be allowed to extend the structures as this would undermine the strength of the building and put people’s lives at risk. The only way they can make use of the additional FAR is by constructing another block or tower on the premises,” said a DDA official.

There are thousands of cooperative housing societies in Patparganj, Mayur Vihar, Rohini, Vasundhara Enclave, Dwarka, etc. Barring new societies in Dwarka and Rohini, residents say all apartments constructed on DDA land are generally dilapidated, contain four or eight storeys, and lack parking space. In Patparganj, composed only of housing societies, many societies are exploring the idea. “We are working on the proposal and checking with DDA on how to move forward. We have approached many builders, but we’re yet to zero in on any one of them. We need to first wait for the final notification from DDA,” said Santosh Mangal, secretary RWA of Ksheer Sagar cooperative housing society (Kailash Apartments) in Patparganj.

He added, “This society was made in accordance with the FAR 20 years ago. Once the higher FAR is incorporated into the amended master plan, we plan to seek flat owners’ consent for redevelopment plans. At present, the society has three floors, but with the additional FAR we will be able to take it 12. Additional facilities, such as a two-storey underground parking, are also on agenda. Each flat owner will get a larger area and the additional flats made with higher FAR can be sold by the builder to cover his costs,” he said.

However, if even a single flat owner disagrees, the proposal would have to be shelved. Flat occupants will have to be relocated during the reconstruction. MN Bhattarcharjee, who is part of an NGO, has taken up the case of redevelopment of such buildings, said, “We have sent a memorandum to the urban development minister to expedite the process. Many housing societies were constructed without architectural or engineering assistance three decades ago. Many of these structures are showing signs of aging. The main problem with redevelopment is of funds. This can be resolved if a builder can sell the additional flats he constructs with higher FAR in place of old buildings,” he said.

Cooperative society owners in Mayur Vihar Phase I and Vasundhara Enclave have approached DDA for details and are drawing up similar plans. Sushil Kumar from Dwarka forum, however, said most societies in Dwarka were relatively new and many flats were still empty, so they were not looking at any such proposal.

Officials said the additional FAR is permissible under Master Plan 2021, and the decision was taken by senior officials at a meeting in the LG’s office in April.

“To avail the higher FAR, society members will have to take permission for demolition of old structures, and building the newer ones, complying with building regulations of the government or DDA as applicable. The process is lengthy and requires consent of all flats owners,” added an official.