Kathputli Colony revamp set to miss March 2019 deadline

NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority’s much-delayed Kathputli Colony in-situ redevelopment project is likely to miss its March 2019 deadline.

According to DDA officials, while construction has started, a few hurdles remain — including a delay in providing electricity at the construction site.

Speaking at an event last week, Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said DDA would start relocating slum dwellers by March 2019. But DDA officials cite technical hurdles for the slow pace of work.

Puri had said: “If you have to resettle people (slum dwellers), it has to be on ‘as is, where is’ basis. I’m happy to inform you that in Kathputli Colony…by March 2019 we will be able to relocate those 2,800 families (who are living in transit camps) in where they lived earlier to modern, green, resilient buildings.”

Authority officials say efforts were on to get some units ready by March next year. They say one of the main hurdles is providing electricity at the construction site as Tata Powers-delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-ddl), the discom in the area, refused to give a connection to the developer (Raheja Developers). “The discom is not giving electricity citing pending dues of slum dwellers. DDA has nothing to do with it. But the discom is refusing to give electricity at the construction site. It is difficult to work without an electricity connection. We have raised the matter with the discom,” said a senior DDA official aware of the development.

A Tata Power-ddl spokesperson said, “Tata Power-ddl has been supplying power to Katputli Colony since 2010 but we have been facing challenges in recovering bills from the consumers. The pending bills have now mounted to ₹3.25 crore. As per DERC Supply Code Regulation, in case of reconstruction of existing property, supply will be given to the owner /occupier /developer of the premises only after clearance of outstanding dues.tata Power-ddl is only following the guidelines of DERC.”.

A spokesperson of Raheja Developers said: “We are trying our level best as work is going on 24x7. Power connection from NDPL and final boundary with railways is being formalised.”

Another hurdle is a small piece of land measuring 2,500 sqm on a 5.2 hectares disputed area. “But this portion is not located where the residential complex is to be constructed,” said a DDA official.

DDA officials say construction of residential components has started and efforts are underway to complete some units by March 2019. “We have been holding regular meetings with the developer. By March, we hope some units will be ready,” the official said.

Raheja Developers awarded the contract for in-situ redevelopment

2,641 families found eligible in the initial survey

Locals challenge DDA’S survey in the Delhi high court

Some slum dwellers shift to transit camp in Anand Parbat

DDA starts eviction and demolition drive in December

DDA adopts DUSIB’S policy for slum rehabilitation and extends the cut-off date to January 1, 2015; fresh survey carried out in which 3,292 people found eligible

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri lays foundation stone for the project, says dwellers will be able to relocate by March