On the outskirts of Delhi, a dirt-track leads to Rohini sectors 34 and 35, housing the largest number of DDA LIG flats. Finding this deserted road itself is a difficult task and it is unsafe to cross even in daytime.
The few allottees from the 2014 scheme who do live in these two sectors, have constituted their own resident welfare associations (RWAs) to demand facilities from the urban body. "Don't come here, it is a trap," says Darshan Kumar Vats, a resident of Rohini sector 34, in a video he has posted on YouTube. It has been three years since these flats were allotted, but there are no streetlights on the unpaved deserted stretches, which are 2 to 3 km away from the main road.
Both sectors have 4,349 flats on offer this time. However, with dark streets and no connectivity, the place has become a haven for anti-social elements. "There have been frequent incidents of chain snatching as well as house theft here," says Vats. "It is difficult for women to commute. There is no option except to walk till the main road if you don't have a personal vehicle. Every day is a struggle,"
Roads, water and sewer lines are still to be laid. During rains, the problems become worse. The waterlogged dirt roads sprout "mini ponds". The nearest Metro station of Rithala is 7 km away from both sectors. Only two DTC buses ply here, which have a low frequency. Moreover, there are no commercial complexes – the nearest market for groceries and essentials is 5 km away.
Conditions are worse for those living in Narela society. It is 4 km from the main road and the two pockets – G2 and G8 – have 3,612 houses on offer. Those in Siraspur (near Samaypur Badli) have similar problems. DDA is offering 2,059 flats in that area. All these flats were returned by buyers in the 2014 scheme.
While drinking water comes through private tankers, the supply is low and the quality poor. "The water is muddy and stinks. It's not fit even for domestic chores. We sent the samples for a quality test and they failed all levels. We complained to the housing authority, but nothing happened," says, Sanjay Saini, treasurer, RWA, Narela pocket G2.
This is not all. In Rohini sector 34, the main entrance has been locked following a dispute over a pond (johar) between DDA and the adjoining Barwala village.
"A road and sewer line were to come up here, but the villagers claim that the ancient pond belongs to them, while DDA is still trying to acquire it. Till the issue is resolved, which can take years, we don't know whether this gate — closer to the main road — will ever open," says Vaibhav Puggal, the first allottee of the DDA 2014 housing scheme.
