DDA: Lofty dreams but no implementation
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DDA: Lofty dreams but no implementation

Several of the authority's ambitious projects have been canned, but no one can exactly tell why.

DDA: Lofty dreams but no implementation

Delhi Development Authority had come up with a number of ambitious projects for Dwarka, but do you know what happened to them? They all got shelved.

Projects such as the Socio Cultural Centre in Sector 11 (Indraprastha Sanskritik Kendra), studio apartments for senior citizen in Sector 16, and the Adventure Cycle Park have gone missing from the DDA files. According to sources, these projects have been canned because senior officials were unconvinced about their cost and viability.

One official said on condition of anonymity, “The Indraprastha Sanskritik Kendra was cancelled by the former DDA vice-chairman Arun Goel, because he thought the project wasn’t feasible when compared to the construction cost. The studio apartment project in Sector 16 was also cancelled for the same reason.”

The layout plan for the Indraprastha Sanskritik Kendra in Sector 11, a project worth Rs 300 crore, had already been prepared and passed. According to officials and press releases, this project was conceptualised with a vision to giving Dwarka a business-cultural centre in the league of the India Habitat Center. The DDA officials further stated that the project sketches were in place and tendering had started; the project was to take off in the previous financial year, but now all work on it has abruptly been stopped.

Residents of Dwarka who were eagerly waiting for these projects are a disappointed lot. A resident of Sector 11, AK Sharma, said, “It is sad for us that a wonderful project such as Indraprastha Sanskritik Kendra has been cancelled by the authority. We were happy when the project was announced in 2011. I think DDA should rethink its decision.”

The old age home for retired government servants in Sector 16 is another project which was declared and planned last year but now stands cancelled. The project, which was meant to be a joint venture between DDA and Indian Navy, was to take off this year. According to a press release issued by DDA in September 2016, approximately 12 acres of land were identified in Sector 16, on which about 1,550 studio apartments of around 550 sq ft each were to be constructed. The project had to be completed in the next four years. “I don’t know why the senior officials cancelled it, but there is definitely no sign of progress on this project,” said an official of DDA.

The cycle sharing project, which was envisaged as the green mode of transport and last-mile connectivity for Dwarka, has also been shelved. Though DDA officials have not commented on this, they haven’t indicated that it has been abandoned. According to an official, this project could be resumed in future if a senior official or authority considers it an integral part of sustainable development.