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.