India, Aug. 18 -- The Delhi government is set to redevelop its ageing Public Works Department (PWD) housing colonies into high-rise residential complexes under the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy, with the first phase covering Gulabi Bagh, Kalyanwas in Mayur Vihar and Bahapur near Defence Colony. The projects will be executed on a self-financing model similar to the Centre's General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) scheme. PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma told Millennium Post that the government plans to maximise land use while generating revenue to fund redevelopment and the proposed Delhi Secretariat at ITO. Also Read - Delhi govt cleanliness drive offers Rs 1 cr monthly prize for top ward Advertisement At Kalyanwas, spread over 32 acres, and Gulabi Bagh, residential towers will be developed along with commercial spaces. Under TOD norms, nearly 10 per cent of the total built-up area has been earmarked for commercial use, while the remaining 90 per cent will comprise residential units. "We intend to utilise the entire permissible FAR to build high-rise complexes. After meeting the housing requirement of government employees, the remaining residential units and commercial space will be monetised so that the projects finance themselves," Verma said. The redevelopment will cover nearly 70 lakh sq ft at Kalyanwas and 2.25 crore sq ft at Gulabi Bagh. Revenue generated from these projects will also be used to finance construction of the new Delhi Secretariat. Also Read - Yamuna bank to be developed on lines of Sabarmati Riverfront: Min Bahapur, unlike the other two sites, will be developed exclusively for housing. Around 160 Type V and Type VI flats are proposed there. Verma said the tender would be floated next week, while the project, estimated to cost Rs.400 crore, would soon be placed before the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for approval. Around 4 lakh sq ft of built-up area is planned at the site. The minister said the redevelopment is aimed at replacing dilapidated government accommodation. "Many officials posted in Delhi struggle to get quality government housing. Our objective is to provide better living conditions and modern residential complexes," he said. Also Read - Lakshmi Yojana: Ineligible beneficiaries to face aid stoppage and recovery of dues Officials said the General Administration Department (GAD) has been asked to assess the government's requirement for flats and prepare estimates on the number of units to be retained and their pricing. After meeting official requirements, the remaining flats will be opened for sale. Verma said Central government departments, the CPWD, public sector undertakings and private buyers will be eligible to purchase them, while the open-market component will be disposed of through auctions. Consultants will be appointed for Gulabi Bagh and Kalyanwas to prepare detailed project reports, cost estimates and the financial model. The projects will include Type II, III and IV flats and are expected to take three to four years to complete. Also Read - Water supply to be hit in parts of West Delhi Besides the first three colonies, the government has identified seven additional locations for similar redevelopment, including Probyn Road, Timarpur, Sindhora Khurd, Sindhora Kalan and Vikas Bhawan. Gulabi Bagh, Sindhora Kalan and Sindhora Khurd together comprise around 1,200 Type I, II and III government quarters, while Probyn Road and Timarpur have 16 Type V and 90 Type III quarters. Officials said private developers would be engaged to construct residential and office complexes, recovering investments through the sale of residential units, commercial space and, where feasible, surplus land parcels.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.