DDA turned into Delhi Destruction Authority & why we applaud the market taking revenge

#NationalInterest
A DDA flat was once a privilege and a gift in a city where almost nobody could build anything. Its inventory of unsold flats now exceeds 40,000 at a value of Rs 18,000 crore, and it's still building more. If you think its failure to sell any of these would deter it from building more, you don’t know the Indian state. Watch this week’s #NationalInterest with ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta.
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[ranjitkamath]

I loved this episode, I have stayed in Delhi during the 70's/80's/90's and I can recollect all what you said.
I recollect that my Father was alloted a DDA flat in Alaknanda (I can now understand how difficult it must have been for him to get allotment), it was a proud moment for us.
I also distincltly recollect there used to shortage of staple bread, a consumer was rationed only 1/2 loaf
we got one allotment of LPG cylinder through MP qouta - what a victory it was
MTNL linesmen were God those days.
I also recollect ladies used to stand in serpetine q for DMS Milk, early morning (prior to Mother diary revolution, dont know whether DMS exist now or not),
Use of Taxi was by rich only, cold drinks (thanda) was luxury only, to be bought and served when guest used to come. Campa Cola and later thumps up used to rule the roost
DTC buses would start even before all the passengers had boarded them, it used to be art to get into running buses (fell down once and sustained injury)
Color TV came in 80's, we had DDI and DDII was launched in 80's, All the family members used to sit together and watch the serials ( Monday - Nukkad, Tuesday/Thursday - Hum Log, Friday - Jaane be do yaaron, Chitrahar, Sunday Hindi movies), sometimes there is more fun in scarcity than surplus.
India has changed for good and bad both
Thank you for bringing these episode, feeling nostaglic. Currenlt I am happlily settled in Bangalore

[vaibhavgupta]

What a gem, no other media covers this may be due to incompetency or political patronage or may be both.

[deepakdas]

Thanks to you and your team to create this video.

I know someone who brought a DDA flat in Rohini, they thought it was an investment. But that flat became a trap, there was no electricity, no water and the construction quality was below par level. Hardly anyone reside in those flats, it's quite unsafe as most of the dwelling units are abandon. People complain that thieves get into houses to steal electric and water fixture.

I also remember in mid 2000s, NDTV did a coverage on allotment of DDA flats. They showed an interview of a retired senior citizen, who got possession after a year of paying for the flat. He was saying how it has been two weeks there was no electricity or water, its unsafe and he couldn't leave as he invested my life saving for this flat.

Narela is still underdeveloped, without proper metro connectivity, job opportunities and educational institutions that area is nearly a ghost town.

DDA has lots of established architects, planners, project managers and etc., who also teach in reputed universities of India. We can very well see their work and their planning schemes for Delhi.

[RishiRaj-huit]

Never new the story behind Vasant Vihar and emergence of South Delhi. Always wondered how come these areas are posh than others. Thank you SG for enlightening the youth of the country.

[subhrangsudutta]

Really, unhyphenated journalism, well crafted and with the style of unparallel SG for the weekenders. 🙏🙏

[dungeon_daddy]

As one of the Local resident of Narela whose land was acquired to build these flats let me tell you some hard facts. There is no Metro line in Narela, No malls, Dirty sand filled roads and the metro line that will be built will be connected to Rithala Metro Station (Red Line) . People mainly go to Azadpur, Janghirpuri, Delhi Secretariat etc. (Yellow Line ) but due to corrupt and ignorant officials these decisions have been made. And not to forget that the Authority Incharge of Narela didn't even bother following the orders of Delhi's Governor for almost 2 years and now AE of the area has been suspended . Its literally one of the most neglected areas.

MLA of Narela Constituency is AAP MLA Shri Sharad Pawar who has done nothing for the constituency since he doesn't reside here (he reside in Palla, a nearby town) . Moreover the MCD is also incredibly corrupt too the Councilor Savita Khatri (BJP) has been slow in her tracks and her predecessor built his own 2 story house with lift with the funds she managed to sneak.

[viswanathanseshadri]

Delhi Dalals Association is how we understood DDA
I remember clearly the natives of Munirka area - the Munirka jats being the object of ridicule in the English speaking circles of which I too was one as some kind of uncultured uncivilized low life scum.
I didn't know about this story of land acquisition and the pittance served as compensation by the State.
It is actually a surprise that all this was taken in so quietly and there wasnt more violence in the streets.

[sailenkatel]

A factual correction
1Rupee was equal to 16 and not 6 Annas. Hence 50p in new currency was 8 Annas, 25p 4 Annas and so on. In any case, thank you for your perspective on DDA, it is most helpful for an enthusiast in the study of urban design.

[HANAMANTKULKARNI-ow]

Wah! What an emotional speech! It is clear you are from Delhi and we're at receiving end of DDA. How about journalists getting prized Lutyens property for a song in Nehru / Gandhis era? More about that please.

[pankajbisht]

That is the kind of reporting we need from the media. Born in the 80s, have seen the havoc that socialism can unleash. Lot of people today believe that the past was a golden age. The kind of life we are living today was a dream for our previous generation. Thanks for making me value my present even more.

[bmniac]

40 years too late The then beneficiaries included journalists too. State controlled development was a disaster. And we do not want to admit it even now. If Government wants to close this down the opposition will surely protest.

[ritulgaur]

Gupta Ji, this was a banger of an episode. So refreshing to see a free market voice in this state heavy Delhi!

[sourjyoroy]

It seems like we are trying to create a Desi Evergrande with DDA.
Shekhar sir did not hold back on this one. Decades of anger against DDA in one short Video.

[priyamawasthi]

I didn't know all this. But I have lived in Delhi for 8 years now and my work has led me to see almost every nook and corner.

There are places where you can see the contempt that people who planned Delhi held for people of Delhi. For example, the streets which are clearly according to a plan have no space for a Car to enter. This shows that they never thought that people of Delhi could own a car some day.

Then what I find truly peculiar traveling in Delhi. That you are in a type of neighbourhood, you take one turn and suddenly you would appear in middle of a totally different type of neighborhood. You would notice the difference in types of houses, type of people's appearance, the kind of shops etc just by taking a turn. Inequality just hits you in the face.

[ShivamKumar-ydrg]

Its really astonishing how short sighted our initial leaders were they all rided on the back of socialism in one way or other, socialism is the graveyard they had build from their own hand but the sad thing is still socialism finds lots of space in our society, and its true DDA is the reason why Delhi doesn't look like the capital of India but more of a city on the

[narasimharao]

Same with BDA.. Bangalore Development Authority.. No takers for BDA flats.. And BDA new layout prices are too high and no facilities.
Once upon a time owning a BDA plot was a privilege in BEngaluru, , but now not many takers for BDA new layouts.

[Iammeaayush]

A good work from SG, being a regular critic.. this was well done i must say !!

[iArpanMishra]

This is why SG is a legendary journalist! No one even comes close!

[jaydeepdaripa]

Rupee was divided into sixteen Aana.. The central village temple of Bengal (mostly of Devi) is even today called 16 aana mandir

[SunilKumar-nfft]

This is the Shekhar I admire. I love it everytime you go bashing socialism.