In what was envisioned as a shimmering addition to New Delhi’s skyline, the Delhi Development Authority’s ambitious housing project has recently come under fire for significant construction quality issues. The development, part of the ‘Festival Special Housing Scheme 2023,’ has been a point of contention for buyers expecting high-end living spaces, as the premium apartments in Dwarka’s Sector 19B exhibit signs of hurried workmanship and shoddy finishing.
This high-profile residential scheme was launched with much fanfare by the DDA, comprising of luxurious categories like HIG, Super HIG, and penthouses. Potential buyers, seduced by the allure of opulence and the strategic proximity to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, approximately 13 kilometers away, soon found their dream dwellings marred by unexpected and subpar construction quality.
With the offering of 1,130 flats and prices starting from Rs 11.5 lakh for EWS flats to a soaring Rs 5 crore for penthouses, the DDA residential complex held the promise of comfortable and affluent habitation. The scheme featured 14 penthouses, allocated with two in each of the seven grand towers.
The issues came to light when dismayed allottees took ownership of their apartments. According to comprehensive reports by the Indian Express, glaring deficiencies were immediately apparent—the homes plagued by broken tiles, rusted pipes, and unfinished shaft walls, with hasty piping installations peering through incomplete structures. These were the first indicators that the construction materials and practices were far from what one would expect in a luxury housing complex. The new homeowners, who had paid hefty amounts with expectations to match, were justifiably shocked.
Compounding the unrest, residents were further perturbed upon discovering that the DDA complex was not registered under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), leading to questions about the legality and oversight of the project. It was only after the regulatory body’s intervention that the property was appropriately registered, to the relief and newfound vigilance of the owners.
Further investigations by the Indian Express revealed an unsettling scene during a visit to the complex—paint peeling from walls, electrical wiring exposed in a hazardous dalliance, and a general state of neglect that one would not associate with a reputed name in housing development. Such deplorable conditions are in stark contrast to the expectations of the buyers who invested in a ‘luxury society.’
In response to these unsettling discoveries, the DDA stood by its reputation, claiming that prospective buyers were provided ample access to inspect the properties and that the authority remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality housing. Nevertheless, the mismatch between the promised and actual state of the apartments has raised doubts about the authority’s practices.
A further inquiry into the matter and appeals to higher authorities are ongoing as affected residents seek recourse and assurances that their investments are secure and will meet the expected standards of opulence and safety initially advertised.
This scenario brings to light crucial issues in the real estate sector regarding the enforcement of quality standards and the accountability of developers. As authorities delve into the matter, the hopes and dreams of many residents hang in the balance, their envisioned luxury lifestyle overshadowed by the reality of living within the walls of negligence.
DDA’s Festival Special Housing Scheme 2023 now stands as a cautionary tale—a stark reminder that even the most promising projects require vigilance and a commitment to excellence to ensure that homebuyers’ dreams do not crumble like the poor plaster on their new walls.
