The Times of India 16.09.2014
DDA amends policy, installing lifts now easier
NEW
DELHI: Installing lifts at DDA apartment blocks in the capital is set
to become easier with the Authority scrapping a clause requiring an
affidavit stating that no modifications have been made to the building’s
terrace.
The affidavit was the biggest impediment in
applications for installing lifts. Over the last few months, several
residents and RWAs have written to the Urban development ministry
seeking scrapping of the clause. Residents had argued that, in some
cases, the flats were over two decades old and that to expect no
alterations to the terrace was impractical since the authority has
turned a blind eye to the issue all this while.
The policy on
lifts, which has been revised several times, was last amended on
September 1. In March, Delhi Development Authority had also made it
mandatory for residents to get an NOC from residents of the building’s
ground-floor flat while installing lifts. However, due to a poor
response from residents, this clause was later scrapped. A 21-day
deadline for processing applications for lifts was also put in place.
“We have been tweaking the policy to make it suitable for everyone.
While considering the clause, we felt unauthorized construction was a
separate issue that should not be mixed with granting permissions. So,
we decided to do away with the clause and simplify the process for
residents,” said Balvinder Kumar, vice-chairperson, DDA.
Another reason why the authority decided to do away with the clause is
because DDA doesn’t use of lifts till the terrace, so having a
restriction based on modifications to the terrace didn’t make sense.
DDA officials said they have received 56 applications since the policy
was amended. Three of these have already been sanctioned and other
applications are being considered. “We have contacted residents in cases
where the paperwork is not complete. So far, we have tried to avoid
turning down any applications,” said an official, adding that most
applications are Vasant Kunj and Alaknanda.
Some residents feel
the police on installing lifts should be simplified further. “There is a
clause that puts the lift application in abeyance if any party takes
the issue to the court. This can happen if a resident, in most cases it
may be the people living on the ground floor, takes objection to the
plan. The process will become simpler if DDA itself identifies the land
on which to build the lift,” said R K Sareen, president, Nehru Apartment
RWA, Kalkaji.
The revised policy will benefit around 4 lakh
homeowners. In the amended form, it has eight requirements that
applicants need to fulfil—a recommendation by the lift manufacturer,
certificate from a registered structural engineer, four sets of building
plans, consent of at least 50% residents who use stairs, certificate
mandating proposing members bear installation and operational costs, NOC
from the RWA, indemnity bond against claims and NOC from the chief fire
officer. DDA amends policy, installing lifts now easier
