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

Exclusive content, privileges & more - Subscribe to ThePrint for special benefits: theprint.in/subscribe/

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Opening up Noida and Gurugram gave way to new money that these ultra wealthy Lutyens type stored and gate keep. Delhi is a dying city, the pollution and the city wide decline. It’s Sickening.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Shekhar Gupta in spirits love it🔥 North India needs a few more fully planned cities. Cities planned in a modern Indian democratic manner, like Dholera or Amaravati. Maybe one city in Haryana, as its capital and a few more in UP/Bihar

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

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

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

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 roadside,,,,,,,,

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.

New York has rats. Paris has bedbugs. Delhi has problems too. But there's something about timeless addresses. A Delhi pincode is still infinitely more desirable than a Noida or Gurgaon one. The infra is on another level, despite being stretched (try to be a capital and a state, anyone?). Still, at least DDA is offering ready flats in most areas with complete OC and RC and genuine resale units with registry and passed design are available for a price unlike the broker-builder lobbies (let's call it free market as per you) in rest of NCR that sell promissory notes and payment plans for units that may or may not ever be built. Ever heard of Mahira, M3M, Amrapali, Unitech, Twin Towers, Chintels and all the fraud Noida and Gurgaon builders whose still homeless customers have their eyes closed and heads buried in the Sohna, Jewar (has it come up yet?) and Expressway (2018 inaugration still far away?) sand. Delhi is a historical city geared for the future. Gurgaon and Noida are bubbles likely to burst and hot-air balloons that would never take off well enough for the end user.

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

DDA is a result of Nehru’s and congress socio communist outlook and Quota raj thrived. Lower middle class have not benefited much from DDA. Government should stop being a real estate developer. Need of the hour is good public infrastructure which only the government can provide

"Penthouse" - noun a flat on the top floor of a tall building, typically one that is luxuriously fitted. "Penthouse" -noun (Indian English spoken in Delhi/NCR) a single family home of two or three stories with separate walls (not townhouse, a term fortunately used correctly on rare occasions)

Nice article. Nehru can be forgiven for Tibet, Aksai Chin, PoK, and about a dozen other things. However, NEVER FORGIVE THE CONGRESS FOR Nehruvian Socialism. It handicapped "entrepreneurship", honests were reduced to tax burdened donkeys while the dishonest became super rich. It allowed criminals to become messiahs of the poor. The horrible idea of NEHRUVIAN SOCIALISM was never abandoned. It even became stronger in the Indira years and it continues to sting us to this day.

Most of Those Judges, journalists, Civil servants,etc were beneficiary in British Raj too. In India, and for that matter anywhere, with change in rules, the upper class is always the beneficiary. See all the Raja, Landlords, civil servants, police officers,etc from British era, who were the force behind British, got the bulk of resources, privileges,etc in independent India.

thank you, as an outsider to Delhi never knew these things of capital

You possibly couldn't have been more cautic than that, Shekharji! Thank you for being a through Capitalist! 👍🙏

Wish I can hug you SG :) refreshing to see someone batting for the free market publicly. Be in the media or govt

Such official awarding of posh residential houses and colony are not in Delhi alone but many other towns and cities where officials shameless benefits while poor people houses faces demolition by Bulldozer raid.

Being a masterplanner by profession, I can pinpoint the flaws, poor decisions, and lack of professional outlook in their development model. DDA could have been such a fantastic instrument of government to provide a quality experience for the residents. Unfortunately, it is the exact opposite

An Honest, Sharp and Insightful Peep into Iur Shoddy and Shabby Eco-Political System. Along with The Market Mother Nature has also taken Revenge.Who wants to buy Land in and near Delhi? I haven't a Foggy idea...

Thankyou shekar sir for bringing about the facts on DDA.

DDA may hv 16,000 unsold inventory... but still , it is not available cheap...not affordable still Sir...

Selling flats in Dwarka for 5 crore feels like a joke. Average Coop group housing 3bhk flat in Dwarka sell for 2-3 crores. Not all top 1% of Indians who are earning more 25k a month live in Delhi. And now you cannot afford to buy those flats with 25k a month salary. Delhi does not have lack of housing, but has lack of affordable housing. And affordable housing does not mean badly design cramped houses. But steps taken to reduce the cost of ownership. 25-30 years ago when Dwarka was being designed by land pooling, people who formed groups for group housing projects invested 15-25 lacks for those now 3 crore flats ownership. It has taken 25-30 years to have some semblance of livability. Now its has decent markets, mall last mile connectivity, decent parks, Gurgaon-Delhi traffic, good access to hospital.

very very useful Sir. you should write a book... you know so much about Delhi's evolution. I will buy it for sure 😊

The caste system is only blamed but the truth is Indian judges, bureaucrats , politicians and those affiliated to run government institutions already created a different social structure. Even created laws to protect them and turned India into a pathetic democracy.

Superb episode, learnt a lot!

More media house should talk about delhi destruction authority

Good one shekhar.good change from everyday political bullshit. DDA is pricicing much above pvt builders

Not a big fan of Shekhar Gupta, but this episode hits the spot. This is not just DDA, but HUDA (Hyderabad Urban Development Authority) or any other DA. It is a web of corruption, usurper of property rights, favored allotment, draconian land acquisition rules and simply an arm of government to commit day light robbery. Time to abolish these and let private developers acquire land at current market price and do development. My parents lost a parcel of land to the so called development 5 yrs ago, paltry compensation. Till today there is no sign of development. I am sure the land will be usurped by politicians or their goons

Bang on .... Well Said👍

Amazing piece!!

The DDA should be disbanded. Unsure why this area has been neglected for so long. @pmoindia - please help. This agency is directly responsible for the dilapidation of Delhi. The former employees should be charged with CRIMINIAL negligence and jailed. They have made life hell for millions of Delhiites.

bsnl, dda, mtnl all these disgusting creations, only those who have dealt with them what these ghouls were. Even Noida authority needs to be reformed.

You can tell - Shekhar had an axe to grind here. None the less everything he said if true and a lesson for all who epitomize socialism Or even communism

Dig the hole deeper…develop easy accessibility…. 6 way lanes..metro etc…. Sort of makkan on the parotta Tailpiece: Alternately give to DLF, wait for a decade

Eye opening video!! 🙏🙏🙏

ShekarJi came up with some vengeance in this episode. Not to say some excellent spadework too.👏👏

Amazing sarcasm and reflection of mirror to those kings in DDA. The very sarkari raj is as much a Gooda raj, to say the least!

Brilliant!

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.

Fantastic speech. It is just soo true

Shekhar ji , i saw you the other day at Uniqlo Vasant Kunj ... You look bright and fit... Take care

One correction- 1 Rupee was divided into 16 anna, and not 6 anna as said in the video. Because if 6 paisa was 1 anna, then, 6 anna would be just 36 paisa while 1 rupee has 100 paisa.

Good perspective, much needed. Thanks

Really good. I wish there were official transcripts in form of blogs on the website for the same content, I can understand why that cannot be done and that's fair

DDA narela project is like Tata Nano cars. Without metro connectivity or schools narela is going to languish.

Sir I am from Village Garhi Mandu without Consent of Farmers DDA Acquired our land for only 27000 rs bigha in 2001 saying It was barren and floodplain land but in actual land was very fertile and we Produce many crops in a year they promised alternative plots but didn't gave and now they are claiming Abadi lal Dora area of Village Which is not acquired our village old garhi mandu is put in Zone O by DDA we are natives of Delhi and Rightful owner of the land if they continue robbery of our land where we will go if they take our Abadi land DDA is most corrupt authority in India.

Best report in a long time

I would advise all the upper middle class and rich Delhi people to migrate to gurgaon asap…come to posh localities like DLF phase 1 and 2..golf course road..extension road …the Gentry is amazing most of the people residing in these localities are rich including many celebs …Delhi now has just become a hub of freebies attracting poor and lower middle class

Nice to see some different and important topic.

Excellent analysis of DDA and its tax wasting activities!

We needed more details on DDA working

100% correct analysis

Best episode of the year!!!

It would be interesting to know where Shekhar Gupta sir got his accommodation from journalists’ quota !!

I cannot believe that this is in New Delhi, India's Capital. Will this now cause a housing bubble?

Amazing coverage.

Thanks!

Hope the powers that be actually listen to you @ShekharGupta. But there must be some warped beaurocratic logic to build this huge inventory in Narela. Could you find out whats the logic given in the approval noting sheets of DDA?

Actually India needs a new capital, a capital without colonial ghosts and in the heartland of UP or Bihar. Design a new democratic Indian capital!! Lets call it Indraprastha❤

Well explained

Great video!😊

Excellent video 📹.

As usual very good

Same goes for BDA flats in Bangalore, nobody wants them. Yes BDA sites are much in demand with politicians getting the best ones.

One more episode that proves that government in business is disastrous.

Nice informative video sir

Mr Shekhar, why are you using this tele prompter? It’s difficult to understand, your off the cuff way of delivering the national interest was is so much better, pl look into it. Great work though 🍻

DDA = Delhi Destruction Authority... So true

Why not sell this as affordable housing and shift slum dwellers here . And sell the slum area to some pvt developers

Govt both state and central have to wake up and be accountable for tax payer money🙏

👌 insights

Also how come cantonment land or military station land in Aundh, Pune whose sole purpose is to be used for national security. Why this land is being developed for row houses, 2-3 bhk flats for ex servicemen? Isn't this the same as the Vasant Vihar example Shekhar talking about?

Development authorities all over India were modelled on DDA and have proved destructive and highly corrupt. They thrived on acquisition of private land at very low prices.

There is a very popular term used for the bribe given to DDA official before getting possession of keys called “mithai”.

Please change add initially that you play, it is really annoying

Comparatively, CMDA (earlier MMDA) has stayed within bounds.

That's what socialism and reservation does to you

Hello Mr. Gupta, I agree with some of things in this video. However, City Development Authorities with all their limitations and failures, they ensured reasonably well planned and developed urban areas. Go out look in the new areas where private developers have come now, there are hardly any civic amenities, there are no parallel roads etc. What could DDA/BDA etc could have done is restrict or evolve them to be macro and core infrastructure development than into plots and houses. Go and check how NOIDA which was conceived during emergency by Sanjay Gandhi. Compare NOIDA and Gurgaon. When did Navi Mumbai came-up? When did Gandhi Nagar, Chandigadh came-up? Most well organized parts of Bangalore, Hyderabad etc all came-up during Nehru Gandhi era. All chaotic developments in major cities have come-up during the last 20-30 years. Also, educate yourself. Liberalization started in Rajiv Gandhi era; most of the consumer, electronics, white goods were de-controlled during after Rajiv Gandhi came to power, thanks to Sam Pitroda! Narasimha Rao took them to next level, thanks to precarious situation we ran into during Gulf War I with dried out forex remittances, sky rocketed oil prices and imports overtaking exports as consumer demand for goods exploded and required a lot of imported components. And, our biggest trading partner Soviet Union collapsed! You know what, BJP never made any comment on economics till they came to power in 96 and 98! All they wanted was Ram Mandir and sending Muslims to Pakistan. In fact, BJP was part of Janata Parivar which formed government during 1977 to 1980! They were the one who made the situation worse by kicking out IBM and Coca Cola (Cola was not a big deal)! And they were also part of VP Singh government during 1989-90 and their sole agenda was Ram Mandir!

Loved the content , DDA destroyed Delhi Indeed

Shekhar washing the dirty linen in the public 😀 🙏🙏

DDA should not build flats itsepf, ot should earmark where townships should be built, then have a competition where private players compete to build housing at targetted price levels. The winner should be chosen on basis of architectural proposal etc. not L1.

Very nice

wait for few days penhouses will sell for 6 cr on auction. It is dwarka, uncle. Buyers stand in line here.

@the_print_team.... Request you to do a national interest on how we can fix our cities.....most of our cities are fuel inefficient and not at all sidewalk friendly.

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.’ - Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 22 October 1945

DDA fails to perform but CPWD & NBCC are much sought after.