Land agency to focus on housing for poor,slums

Under the in-situ slum rehabilitation project,the DDA has already awarded the contract for redeveloping the slum cluster at Kathputli Colony to Raheja Developers.

Twenty other slum clusters have been identified by the land agency,and Kumar has indicated that work on at least three more will begin this year,once a private participation model is drawn up.

Of the 42,000 EWS houses,the DDA expects to start construction on at least 10,000 houses in 2010. Moreover,in a bid to make the authority a tad more efficient,the V-C has instituted a new strategy for monitoring and implementation of all development work.

A nodal officer of the rank of principal commissioner will be made in charge of each development project,as opposed to various officers from different departments monitoring different segments of the project.

“Earlier,if a road under the Masterplan was being developed and it passed through three separate zones,three different chief engineers were responsible for the project. Now,in order to increase accountability,one official will be appointed to effectively monitor the project till its completion,” a senior DDA official explained.

The authority will also appoint a senior nodal officer for all categories of grievances ensuring regular monitoring and quick redressal of complaints.

The DDA employees will also have to undergo extensive training to hone their skills.

The vice chairperson has also asked DDA officials to concentrate on the greening and development of the Yamuna River Front and the upgradation of the existing sports complexes.