DOGRA

COMMITTEE

REPORT

10.01.2007
Sub: Report of the Committee set up by Govt. of India to look into the
issues of additions/alterations in DDA and Co-operative Group
Housing Society’s Flats.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India vide its Order
No. K-12016/10/2006-DDIB dated 19.09.06 constituted a Committee to
look into issues regarding additions/alterations in DDA and Co-operative
Group Housing Society’s Flats (Refer Annexure 1 (A). The Committee
comprised of the following:-

1. Sh. H.S. Dogra, Addl. Director General (Border), CPWD Chairman

2. Sh. A.K. Sarin, Engineer Member, DDA Member
3. Smt. Asma Manzar, Commissioner (Housing) DDA Member
4. Sh. Sanjib Sen Gupta, Chief Architect, NDMC Member
5. Sh. M.N. Dass, In-charge of Building, MCD Member
6. Dr. S.P. Bansal, Addl. Commissioner (Plg.) III, DDA Member
Convener

1.2 The terms of reference of the Committee were as follows:-

(i) To examine the desirability and/or feasibility of allowing
additions/alterations/more covered area in DDA flats and dwelling
units of other group housing buildings/premises, specifically
keeping the structural safety issues in view.

(ii) If so, to recommend principles and modalities for dealing with

such deviations and excess coverage and suggest modification/
amendment in the list of additions/alterations/excess coverage
categorized as condonable, permitted with intimation/permission
 categorized as condonable, permitted with intimation/permission
and additional coverage permitted with prior permission.

(iii) To indicate quantum of compounding fees to be charged while

permitting such additions/alterations.

(iv) To consider matters related or incidental to any issue of the

reference mentioned above and make recommendations thereon.

1.3 The Committee was requested to finalize its recommendations initially

within a period of two months, and subsequently the same was extended
up to 31.12.06 (Refer Annexure IB).

1.4 In pursuance of its mandate, Committee decided to co-opt the following

key-resource persons/experts (Refer Annexure II) for their valued input:

(a) Secretary DUAC or his nominee

(b) Sh. R.C. Sharma, Chief Fire Officer, Delhi

(c) Sh. V.D. Dewan, Chief Architect, DDA

(d) Sh. S.K. Goel, Financial Advisor (Housing), DDA

(e) Sh. R.M. Lal, Director (Building), DDA

The Secretary, DUAC vide letter dt. 05.10.06 & 10.11.06 indicated that
DUAC would be giving its observations, separately at appropriate time.

1.5 In order to understand the view points of all concerned, the Committee
decided to invite written observations/suggestions from interested
persons, Residents Welfare Associations of DDA & Group Housing
Society’s flats, their Federations etc. on issues related with the terms
and reference of the Committee. The advertisement in this regard was
 published in the leading newspapers and also through E-mail address of
DDA website (Refer Annexure III).

1.6 In response to the advertisement, over 60 written suggestions were

received by the Committee. It contained observations / suggestions from
individuals, RWAs of DDA and CGHS flats, Federation and the
Societies. These may be seen at Annexure IV. As part of this process,
face to face interactions with the concerned groups and individuals, a
public hearing was held by the Committee on 11.11.06 where a large
number of people participated in groups. Based on above, a
summarized analysis of salient suggestions have been made and the
same is annexed at Appendix II (a), II (b), and Appendix III (a), III (b) for
reference.

1.7 The committee held meetings with the Chief Secy. Govt. of Delhi,
Commissioner (Planning), DDA. Jt. Secy. (Delhi Division), Ministry of
Urban Development, Addl. Director General (Architecture), CPWD. The
Committee also requested for written submissions from a number of key
officials and individuals, who were identified during its meetings. The
valuable views received in this regard have also been provided in the
Annexure IV. The Committee reviewed the existing guidelines entitled
“Policy and procedure for permission and regularization of additions/
alterations in DDA Flats” approved by the Ministry. The report of
Tajendra Khanna Committee and the provisions of Draft MPD – 2021
also provided valued input to the deliberations of the Committee.

1.8 In order to understand the ground realities, the Committee also

organized a site visit to a few DDA and CGHS colonies. The background
material/photograph of Housing Enforcement Deptt. of DDA was also
made available to the Committee. These area also placed as Annexure
V A & B.
2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

(i) The Committee reviewed the present policy and procedure for
permission and regularization of additions/alterations in DDA flats
in the background of observations and suggestions received and
also the input provided by the DDA and MCD. The Committee
members expressed their serious concern about the gross
additions / alterations that have taken place, specially in DDA
Group Housing flats over the years. It was noted that some of
these are not only dangerous to the structural stability of the flats,
but are affecting the basic design, health parameters (light and
ventilation) and aesthetics. In many cases, the facades and the
elevations have changed completely. Although, the members in
general were supportive of providing limited flexibility (without
compromising the structural design and other basic parameters),
it was unanimously felt that even the additions/alterations already
allowed in DDA flats need to be rationalized. The flexibility of
additions/alterations already allowed in DDA flats need to be
rationalized. The flexibility of additions/alterations after
rationalizations also need to be extended to Co-operative Group
Housing Society (CGHS) too.

(ii) In all such cases where owner/residents have undertaken

additions/alterations in Group Housing flats which are within the
permissible limits as per the guidelines, those be considered for
regularization.

(iii) To deal with all the existing additions/alterations in DDA Group

Housing, the Committee recommends following guidelines:

(a) Wherein the owners have constructed a room or taken up

other additions/alterations with prior permissions of DDA/
 MCD in accordance with the policy. There is no alternative
except to treat them as regularized additions/alterations.

(b) In cases where the additions/alterations have been done

by the owners in accordance with the policy laid down on
the subject, but without prior permission of DDA/ MCD.
The committee felt that a chance be given to all such
owners to regularize the said unauthorized construction.
For this, a press notice giving three months time can be
published in leading news papers requesting them to apply
for regularization of such unauthorized constructions to the
concerned authority such as DDA/MCD within three
months failing which such additions/alterations will be
treated as unauthorized constructions and necessary
action for demolishing the same will be taken up by DDA /
MCD. Such constructions will be regularized in accordance
with the policy and subject to payment for additional
covered area as referred in Appendix – I

(c) Wherein the owners have taken up massive unauthorized

construction such as addition of floor, changing the basic
structure etc. it will be treated as unauthorized additions.
These additions/alterations are neither covered under the
existing policy guidelines nor have owners obtained any
prior permission from DDA/MCD.

It was decided by the Committee that a chance will be

given to such owners by publishing a press notice giving three
months time to remove such unauthorized construction at their
own failing which the same will be removed by DDA/MCD at the
cost of the owner. For this purpose RWA’s can be declared as
 Nodal Agencies who will monitor and submit list of all flats who
have carried out such unauthorized constructions.

(iv) Keeping in view of the fact that in many areas, the Group Housing
flats built by DDA, other Government agencies, cooperatives etc,
have not utilized the permissible development norms in term of
FAR, density etc, and they also need major repair/redevelopment
on account of this. The redevelopment of such pockets with
prevailing development control norms i.e. for ground coverage,
FAR etc not only amount to intense utilization of scarce urban
land but would also encourage constructions of few housing stock
as per the current socio-economic needs. The Committee
recommends additional construction/redevelopment of all such
areas meeting the revised Gr. Coverage/FAR norms for CGHS
schemes subject to prior approval of all statutory authorities.

(v) The Committee was also supportive of the demand for provision
of lifts keeping in view the requirements of physically challenged
as well as growing elderly population. The detailed guideline for
provision of lifts is already under consideration of a separate
Committee.

(vi) The Committee was unanimous in not allowing additional floor in

DDA Group Housing as well as in CGHS Scheme. The
Committee was also not in favour of permitting/regularizing any
encroachment on public land/common area. Both these are likely
to compromise the laid down services and structural stability of
the building.

(vii) After lot of discussion, following specific additions/alterations were

unanimously agreed upon in respect of both DDA Group Housing
flats as well as CGHS.
(a) Grills and glazing in Verandah with proper fixing
arrangements, subject to conformity with the fire safety
norms.

(b) Raising height of front and rear courtyard wall up to 7’ feet

(height) by putting up jali / fencing.

(c) Providing door in courtyard, where ever not provided

abutting road/service land but not into the park. The door
to open inside the property line.

(d) Providing sun shades on doors and windows wherever not

provided with proper fixing arrangements, as per Building –
bye-laws.

(e) Closing the door / doors.

(f) If the bathroom or WC are not having roof, these may be

treated as open urinals and be allowed.

(g) Raising the wall of balcony / terrace parapet with grill or

glazing up to 5’ feet height subject to conformity with the
fire safety norms.

(h) Construction of open staircase (cat ladder) where no stair

case has been provided for approach to the terrace (refer –
condition about terrace right).

(i) To put/provide additional PVC water tank at ground floor

area without disturbing the common passage.
(j) To provide an additional PVC water tank in the scooter/car
garage at the surface level.

(k) To provide loft/shelf in the rooms without chase in the

walls.

(l) To change the flooring with water proofing treatment.

(m) To remove half (4 and ½ inches) brick wall.

(n) To make a ramp at front gate without disturbing the

common passage / storm water drain.

(o) To provide sun shades on the outer windows up to 2’ wide

projection.

(p) To provide false ceiling in rooms.

(q) To make an opening of maximum size of 2’6” × 1’9” for

exhaust fan or air-conditioner in existing walls.

(r) Fixing of door in back and front courtyard, abutting roads/

service lanes but not into the park. The door to open inside
the property line.

(s) Converting of window into almirah subject to availability of

light and ventilation as per building bye-laws provided that
no structural elements are disturbed and there is no
projection extending beyond the external wall.

(t) Shifting of water storage tank/raising of parapet wall upto

5’ height and putting additional water storage tank.
 Wherever the existing water storage tank capacity is less
than 500 liters in a flat, the existing water storage tank can
either be replaced by a 500 liters tank or, if possible, the
additional tank can be added so as to make the total
storage capacity up to 550 liters. However, such
replacement / provision of additional tank will be done only
on the locations specified for such tanks and the
supporting beams will be required to be strengthened
suitably. Parapet walls around terrace can be increased to
a height of 5’.

(u) To shift the front glazing of windows up to those chajjas

indicated in the original approved drawings.

(viii) ADDITION/ALTERATION (S) PERMITTED WITH PRIOR

INTIMATION / PERMISSION:

Following addition (s) alteration (s) can be carried out with prior
intimation / permission of the concerned agency i.e. DDA / MCD
as per the prescribed procedure:

(a) Interchange the position of kitchen, bath room & WC with

proper connections subject to structure safety. To carryout
this interchange, all the allottees of one vertical stack will
have to apply jointly to the concerned agency.

(b) Construction of bath room and WC in the rear courtyard.

(c) Covering of open terrace with sloping roofs upto 9’ height

with light weight material e.g. fibre glass / AC sheets / GI
sheets with pipes and standard angle iron section etc. and
enclosing with glazing.
(ix) ADDITIONAL COVERAGE PERMITTED WITH PRIOR
PERMISSION:

(a) Covering of courtyard and floor level terraces is allowed

subject to fulfillment of building bye-laws and structural
safety.

(b) In three or four storeyed flats the owners at upper floor

shall have the right to cover the area available as a result
of coverage of courtyard of floor below. In such cases the
residents of DDA flats in a vertical stack served by the
same staircase should give their consent and jointly apply
for permission.

(c) In two storeyed flats the allottee at first floor will have no
right of construction above the courtyard built by ground
floor allottee provided no construction was done earlier on
the terrace.
(x) In CGHS colonies temporary fiber glass coverage in the set back
area may be allowed for parking purposes. Similarly proposals of
under ground parking below green areas can be considered on
case to case basis and subject to clearance by CFO.

(xi) In some DDA colonies, appurtenant land to the ground floor flat
has been enclosed by residents with a compound wall. Such
protection may be allowed on temporary basis subject to one time
payment of @ 5% of the land rates recommended in Appendix – I
provided that the land is not used for additional coverage

(xii) GENERAL CONDITIONS:-

All the additions / alterations and additional coverage will be
governed by six basic principles:-
- There is no encroachment on the public land
 - Structural stability of the building is ensured.
- Light and ventilations of the habitable rooms is ensured as per the
Building-bye-laws.
- There is no infringement on other’s right.
- The service elements such as man-hole, rainwater fittings,
sanitary fitting etc. are not disturbed and remain exposed for
periodical inspection and maintenance.
- Terrace should be approachable to all the residents of that block
and the terrace rights to vest with the society / R.W.A.

(H.S. Dogra)
Addl. Director General (Border)
CPWD – Chairman

A.K. Sarin Asma Manzar Sanjib Sen Gupta

Engineer Member DDA Commissioner (Housing) Chief Architect, NDMC
Member DDA-Member Member

M.N. Dass Dr. S.P. Bansal

Incharge of Building Addl. Commr. (Plg.) III
MCD-Member DDA- Member Convener