DMRC high-rise plan near DU campus hits a roadblock

The issue dates back to 2007,when the DMRC had first approached the DDA for permission to construct the residential complex.

“The DDA gave us permission in writing to develop this complex with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 200,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal. “We finalised the tender and sent the project to MCD for final approval. When MCD resent the project to DDA,they suddenly changed their stand and said only an FAR of 100 will be allowed.”

The DDA agrees that there has been an “inadvertent” mix-up.

“Permission for 33 per cent ground coverage and 200 FAR was given to the DMRC,” said a senior DDA official. “But the Masterplan was notified after that and according to it,a FAR of only 100 and ground coverage of 25 per cent is allowed on such projects.”

The DDA’s inability to reach a decision has put DMRC’s plans in jeopardy.

According to officials,the DMRC has auctioned the plot for Rs 100 crore to a private construction firm,Young Builders. It is expected to get another Rs 100 crore from the builder once the project is cleared.

The confusion even prompted DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan to attend the DDA meeting held in the presence on Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna,on February 17.

“Sreedharan pleaded the DMRC’s case and said as per Masterplan provisions,the complex is within permissible limits,” a DDA official said. “The DDA disagreed and the L-G has directed that legal advisors of both organisations check the Masterplan to figure out if the housing complex can be allowed.”

The DMRC,meanwhile,made a presentation to the DU about the proposed complex after Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental,wrote to the DDA Vice-Chairman on February 15 to express his reservations.

“If the multi-storied towers are allowed,it would adversely impact the University. It would create a high-rise complex of expensive flats completely dissonant with the ambience and character of the University,” stated the letter.

Pointing out that the proposed construction will also lead to a parking nightmare in the campus,Pental pointed out: “What makes the situation worse is that the DMRC has not sent the proposal to the Delhi Urban Art Commission,whose permission is a statutory requirement for such construction.” He signs off after appealing to the DDA to ensure that “construction is disallowed immediately”.

“We have made a presentation that demonstrates that the complex will not create any parking issues,” Dayal said.

The L-G has set up a special committee to check whether high-rise towers will be in keeping with the character of the area.