DDA planning to revamp commercial hubs, markets

Delhi Development Authority is planning to redevelop its commercial complexes and marketing centres in the city for better utilisation of available spaces and attract traders.

‘A detailed guideline is being prepared to redevelop these commercial properties to make them competitive with private shopping complexes and malls to attract traders,’ said Balvinder Kumar, vice-chairman of DDA. 

He further added that DDA board meeting has already approved to give 50 percent additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to commercial complexes which would give us to increase their heights.

The commercial properties of DDA are of four categories — district centres, commercial centres, local shopping centres and convenient shopping centres. Presently, there are nine district centres, 36 commercial centres, 134 local shopping centres and 440 convenient shopping centres across the city. 

‘We are preparing general policy for renovation of our commercial properties. Once the guidelines are notified, we will focus on properties to be redeveloped,’ informed Kumar adding that such list of properties is yet to be prepared. DDA allocates 43 percent of commercial properties to reserved categories and rest to general category traders.

According to sources, several commercial properties of DDA are being gradually deserted as traders are moving due to poor facilities and non maintenance which has put a pressure on DDA authorities to compete with private developers.