DDA Housing Scheme 2014 Gets Low Response Due to Lock-In Period: Report

New Delhi: As many as 8.5 lakh applications have been received by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for its flagship 'Housing Scheme 2014', with the housing authority on Sunday attributing the "not-so-overwhelming" response to the five-year lock-in period imposed on the ownership of the flats.

"The total number of applications received so far stands at 8.5 lakh. Some of the bank branches are located in remote and far-flung areas, so the data reached our office late, after the closing date of the scheme," an official told PTI.

The DDA Housing Scheme 2014, which offers over 25,000 flats across various categories ranging in price from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore, closed on October 15, by which time 7.5 lakh applications were received.

The official said that though the number is likely to go up with more data on the way from other far-flung branches, the "variation now will be very minor".

"The variation would not be very much now and the figure would hover around 8.5 lakh itself, but the final picture would emerge by Diwali weekend, when we would publish the names of all the successful applicants on our website," she said.

Although about 17 lakh brochures were sold through DDA counters and the branches of its various empanelled banks, officials ascribed the "lukewarm response" to the scheme to the lock-in period and the nature of flats on offer.

"The primary reason for the not-so-overwhelming response, despite selling so many brochures, could be the five-year lock -in period for the ownership of the flats, which we have introduced for the first time."

"Besides, most flats are of lower range, one-bedroom types, so that could be another factor," the official said.

The lock-in period mandates a duration of at least five years before the ownership of the flats is handed over to the allottees under the scheme.

This latest housing scheme was launched on September 1.

The last date for application was initially set for October 9 before it was extended till October 15.

The housing authority is now gearing up for the draw of lots, the tentative date for it being November 5.

"We will be setting up a dedicated server around the last week of this month which would have load-balancing facilities to avert chances of the website crashing due to heavy traffic," said V S Tomar, director (systems) of DDA.

"The website had crashed during the launch and the draw of lots at the time of the last scheme (in 2010); so we are taking all precautionary measures this time," Mr Tomar said.

The scheme offers 25,034 flats across various categories, viz. - EWS, LIG, MIG, HIG, Janta flats and one-room apartments. The 22,627 one-bed room apartments was a major draw for the people this year.