The Authority, chaired by Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, who also is the Chairperson of DDA, has approved the annual budget of DDA for 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 8811 crore. In line with the emphasis of the Union Government, capital expenditure constitutes 61% (approx.) of the annual allocations.
Thanks to aggressive strategies, spearheaded by the Lt. Governor and officials, the overall receipts of DDA, saw a massive jump of 75 percent in current financial year at Rs 7696 crores in comparison to Rs 4392 crores in the previous year. In projections for the next year, the DDA has pegged its revenue targets at Rs 9182 crores, which marks an increase of nearly 19 percent from current year. Similarly, owing to massive developmental activities that the DDA undertook in the current financial year amounting to Rs 8804 crores, which is an increase of nearly 69 percent over the previous year, when the expenditure stood at Rs 5189 crores. Next year, DDA has aimed to keep expenditure at the same level as the current year. There is a significant enhancement in the allocations of maintenance expenditure on civic infrastructure as well.
Significantly, the success of the ‘Diwali Special Housing Scheme’ is reflected in the budget figures of the General Development Account (GDA) of DDA which is expected to be in surplus of Rs. 262 crore as per RE 2023-24 & Rs. 2145 crore in BE 2024-25. It is for the first time after ten years that the GDA of DDA will be in surplus.
The Lt. Governor welcomed the gradual financial turnaround that DDA has been achieving and thanked the members of the Authority for guiding the efforts in this direction and the officials for implementing them. He said that the Authority will undertake several developmental projects during the next Financial Year that will focus on better housing, aesthetic upgradation of the landscape and restoration and preservation of the Capital’s heritage. The proposed expenditures in the next Financial Year 2024-25 for these projects will be financed from the revenues, which have been projected at Rs.9182 crore, Shri Saxena added.
Also Read: President Draupadi Murmu Enjoys Ride On Metro; Second Serving President To Do The Same
The key highlights of the expenditure proposals in the budget are as follows: –
A) Development of Civic Infrastructure
A total allocation of Rs. 3460 crore has been made for development of land and physical infrastructure which includes roads, sewerage, water supply, power lines, drainage, beautification, aesthetic upgradation & streetscaping primarily in the vacant portion of land in sub cities of Narela, Dwarka, Rohini and other areas.
- Transport
- The work on the construction of UER-II having project cost Rs. 6421 crore (for Delhi portion only) is fast nearing completion. Given the fast pace of execution, the allocations for 2023-24 have been enhanced from Rs. 920 crore to Rs. 1590 crore. Provision of Rs. 400 crore has been made towards completion of the project in BE 2024-25.
- Similarly, the allocations for Phase IV of Delhi Metro projects in 2023-24 have been enhanced from Rs. 350 crore to Rs. 390 crore. Provision of Rs. 275 crore has been made in BE 2024-25.
- Construction of road to connect SAARC University and CAPFIMS (Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences) in Maidangarhi with Chhatarpur road is being taken up on priority. Provision of 100 crore & Rs.20 crore have been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- 2 multilevel car parking, one each at Nehru Place & Bhikaji Cama Palace are in progress. In addition, another multi-level car parking is proposed at Netaji Subhash Place. Provision of 70 crore has been made in BE 2024-25.
- Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan
- In December 2023 the Hon’ble LG launched the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan (DGA) with an overall objective to develop and create necessary infrastructure in the recently urbanized villages by utilizing the funds of Rs. 959 Crore (approx.) transferred to DDA from Revenue Department, GNCTD. Provision of Rs. 600 crore & Rs.300 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Storm Water Drain
- Kirari Trunk Drain, Storm Water Channel no 2 & 5 at Dwarka, Storm Water Drain in Dwarka Sector – 8, Storm Water Drain from Rani Khera to Sector 40, Rohini. An overall provision of Rs. 165 crore & Rs.267 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively. This will help in prevention from pollution of River Yamuna, water logging/ flooding, contamination of ground water. It will enable charge along drain and through creation of water bodies and cater to the irrigation needs of parks.
- Initiatives towards Clean & Green Delhi: Special emphasis is being placed on creation of public spaces in close proximity with nature. The residents of Delhi are being encouraged to connect with the Yamuna riverfront, expansive parks and heritage structures through development of public spaces.
- Rejuvenation and restoration of Yamuna River floodplains in order to enhance the ecological health of the Yamuna River ecosystem. Prominent spaces on the riverfront being created for the residents of Delhi include Asita East near ITO bridge, Baansera near Sarai Kale Khan Bus Depot and Vasudev Ghat near ISBT, Kashmiri Gate. Provision of Rs. 142 crore & Rs.96 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Construction of iconic Bharat Vandana Park in sector 20, Dwarka. Provision of Rs. 150 crore & Rs.200 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Development & maintenance of Biodiversity Parks across Delhi for environmental conservation and promotion of biodiversity. Provision of Rs. 66 crore & Rs.40 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Overall development, upgradation, and modernization of green spaces focusing qualitative environment and amenities to residents of Delhi. Provision of Rs. 65 crore & Rs.61 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Rejuvenation of water bodies and utilization of treated water through STP pipeline. Provision of Rs. 45 crore & Rs.28 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Transforming Rajghat Power Plant into an educational public space and highlighting the existing chimney through facade/illumination lighting and laser shows. Provision of Rs. 2 crore has been made in BE 2024-25.
- Re-development of Dilli Chalo Park, Ghata Masjid Park, Sadhbhavna Park and Urdu Academy Park behind the Red Fort. The focus includes maximizing the park’s potential through beautification, emphasizing appropriate landscape design and to elevate the park’s value as a prime public green space. Provision of Rs. 37 crore & Rs. 0.50 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
B) Promotion of Sports for Healthy & Fit Delhi
Construction is in full swing in respect of 3 new Sports Complexes in Dwarka, 1 Sports Complex in Rohini & 1 Golf Course in Dwarka. A new Sports Complex is being proposed for Narela. Provision of Rs. 266 crore & Rs.196 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
C) Housing Projects & In-situ Slum Rehabilitation in Delhi as a step towards housing for all
- 1953 Crore allocated in BE 2024-25 25 for ongoing housing projects across Delhi.
- Construction of Residential complex on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) norms in Karkardooma, Delhi is going on. A total of 497 1 BHK apartments in a 22 storey structure are almost complete. Work on another 1026 2 BHK apartments in keeping with TOD norms is also ongoing. Provision of Rs. 450 crore & Rs.245 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.
- Providing pucca houses to slum dwellers through In-Situ slum redevelopment/rehabilitation in various areas of Delhi. Provision of Rs. 62 crore & Rs.98 crore has been made in BE 2024-25 & RE 2023-24 respectively.