Dwarka condo project: DDA asks buyers to pay remaining 25% cost; flats nowhere near completion, claim allottees

The DDA, in a post on its social media handle on July 1, alerted all allottees that the flats were ready to be physically handed over to them. It further stated that the allottees would need to pay the remaining 25% of the amount demanded by August 29 in order to receive their possession letters, failing which a 10% interest on the total cost would be levied.

In a letter addressed to DDA’s chairman on April 8, and another addressed to both the DDA and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on June 15, the allottees detailed the “poor construction quality” of the flats.

The complaints included loose wall plaster crumbling when pressed by hands, weak cementing and brick quality, non-curing of cement, steel bars projecting from finished walls, improperly installed electrical conduits, glaring gaps between the wall as well as door and window frames, cracks and seepage on ceilings, loosely anchored railings on verandas, among many others.

“We feel a deep sense of betrayal, we feel cheated…people have ended up paying almost 50 to 100 per cent premiums on these flats,” said an allottee who requested to remain anonymous. The allottees have also filed a complaint with RERA ( Real Estate Regulatory Authority), raising these concerns.

“We will look into all complaints filed by the allottees,” said RERA chairman Anand Kumar. “If the DDA is found faulty, we will take action according to the (RERA) act,” he added.

In response to questions from The Indian Express, DDA said that after concerns were raised regarding completion of the project, efforts were made to finish the work faster. “DDA was committed to deliver the project on time as promised in the scheme brochure and over the last 2 months, 1,100 labourers have been deployed at the site, working overtime in a dedicated manner. Further, for effective monitoring of execution of the work, 10 Assistant Engineers and 10 supervisors were engaged. The project is now complete ensuring good construction quality as per norms with all facilities in place like water, electricity, sewerage, lifts, park, community hall, STP, etc. All statutory clearances like RERA registration, Fire NOC, AAI NOC, lift NOC, etc are also in place,” it said. “Keeping in view the completion status and as allottees have been demanding early possession of their flats, DDA has raised the demand for 25% of the amount by 28.08.2024. The flats are ready for physical possession. After allottees pay the balance amount as demanded, they can apply for possession of the flat. Thereafter, possession letter will be issued after completion of formalities. Thereupon, the flat will be jointly inspected by the engineering staff with the allottee and if any defects are observed, the same shall immediately be rectified to their satisfaction before the flats are physically handed over,” said the DDA spokesperson.

“DDA has provided 60 days’ time, which is more than sufficient for the payment of the balance amount. Another grace period of 30 days has also been provided in which the amount could be paid with an interest of 10%,” added the spokesperson.