CRACKS IN THE DREAM CIVIC WOES PLAGUE DDA FLATS

What was once envisioned as a comfortable and secure post-retirement haven is turning into a daily struggle for many residents living in Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats across Dwarka. Homebuyers who invested their life savings into DDA housing by paying lakhs at the time of purchase, with property values now soaring into crores are being forced to spend additional lakhs just to make their homes livable. Several flats in various pockets have reported serious structural and maintenance issues, including leaking pipelines, crumbling plaster, faulty electrical wiring and incomplete construction work.

In multiple pockets, large chunks of plaster have fallen off walls, exposing internal wiring and pipelines, raising serious safety concerns. Some residents have also reported deteriorating balconies, posing potential hazards. Basic amenities remain another major concern. Residents complain of irregular and inadequate water supply. Anita Rani, a resident of Sector-4, DDA flats, said, “We get water barely three days a week and the pressure is so low that it doesn’t reach the third floor. We had to install a pump just to get water upstairs.” Sanitation issues further add to residents’ woes. Drains remain clogged for days, sewer lines frequently choke and garbage accumulation in certain areas has led to foul odour and unhygienic conditions. Residents allege irregular visits by sanitation workers and absence of maintenance staff, including gardeners. Expressing helplessness, R. K. Gupta, another resident, said, “We have paid such a high price for these homes and yet we are forced to live with these problems. Leaving is not an option for most of us.” With a significant number of senior citizens residing in these flats, the lack of basic infrastructure and maintenance is causing growing distress. Residents are now urging authorities to take immediate action and address the mounting civic and structural issues, so that Dwarka can truly live up to its promise as a planned and livable sub-city.

RWA members and Presidents of various DDA pockets in different sectors share their woes with Dwarka City-

Residents of Rainbow Apartment, Pocket-6, Sector-12 have been facing several civic challenges and are respectfully seeking the attention of the concerned authorities for timely resolution. The drainage channels in the society were opened for cleaning in April 2025. However, some of them are yet to be covered with slabs and around 40–50 slabs are still required. This has raised safety concerns, as a few minor incidents involving children have been reported. Additionally, water accumulation in open drains lead to mosquito breeding. The residents have also highlighted sanitation-related concerns. A request for debris removal was submitted on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) portal and while staff did visit after some time, the debris still remains. Garbage collection near the main gate is also not always timely and there is scope for improvement in daily cleaning services. Another major concern is water supply, especially during the summer months. Residents often face acute shortages and water tankers are not easily available when required. Despite raising this issue for several years, a consistent solution is still awaited. The condition of internal roads, boundary wall repairs and park maintenance, including play facilities for children, are areas where residents feel further attention would be beneficial. In terms of safety, residents have expressed a desire for more regular police patrolling in the area. The community sincerely appreciates the efforts of the concerned departments and hopes that these matters will be looked into at the earliest for the well-being, safety and comfort of all residents.

                      Priya S Prasad, President of RWA

I would like to bring attention to the serious issues being faced by the residents regarding the drainage system within our pocket. Firstly, the main drainage line near Gate No. 1 (petrol pump side) is completely blocked. The 12-inch drain, which was originally connected to the sewer line, has been severely damaged. As a result, there is no proper flow of either rainwater or wastewater, leading to water stagnation and unhygienic conditions in the area. Secondly, the internal rainwater drainage system within the pocket is also in a very poor state. Most of the drains are completely choked, largely due to unauthorized ground floor coverings that have obstructed the natural flow of water. Additionally, no proper repair or maintenance work has been carried out for several years, which has further worsened the situation. I sincerely request the concerned authorities to take immediate action to repair and restore the drainage system. Proper cleaning, reconstruction and regular maintenance must be ensured to facilitate smooth water movement and prevent health hazards for residents.

Ms. Seema Rawat , President 

Sarvahit Apartment RWA, Sector 17A

Despite submitting multiple written complaints regarding the urgent need for tree pruning, no action has been taken so far. Authorities had assured us that the work would be carried out, but no team has visited the site. Due to overgrown trees, branches are entering residential flats, causing damage to windows and creating safety concerns for residents. In addition to this, we are facing several other critical civic problems. The water supply system is highly irregular - the water tank often remains non-functional, leading to no water supply for several days in a week. This has caused immense inconvenience to all residents. There are also persistent issues related to electricity, cleanliness and sanitation. No mosquito fogging or spray has been carried out in the area, increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Furthermore, the drainage system is in poor condition, with broken slabs over the drains posing safety hazards. These concerns have been repeatedly brought to the attention of local authorities, including the councilor, Ram niwas Gahlot, over the past six months. However, no concrete action has been taken till date. We urge the concerned authorities to take immediate and necessary action to resolve these issues and ensure basic civic amenities for the residents of Pocket 4.

A. K. Tiwari, President

Subham Apartment, Sector-12

 The Residents Welfare Association (RWA), on behalf of all residents of the campus, has formally submitted a request to the concerned authorities seeking support for essential welfare and development works within the society. The pocket is home to a large and diverse population, including senior citizens, women and children. Keeping in mind the need to enhance safety, cleanliness and overall quality of life, the RWA has highlighted several urgent requirements. Among the key demands is the installation of at least 25 cemented benches in common areas and parks to provide seating facilities for residents, especially the elderly. To strengthen security, the association has also proposed the installation of at least 20 CCTV cameras at strategic locations across the premises. Focusing on children’s recreational needs, the RWA has requested the provision of modern play equipment in the park. This includes multi play stations, swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, seesaws, spring riders and climbers, ensuring a safe and fun-filled environment for young residents. Additionally, the renovation of the guard cabin at the main gate and repair of barbed wires along the boundary wall have been emphasized as crucial for improving safety measures. The association has also sought overall development and beautification of parks within the campus to promote a healthier and more appealing living environment. In line with modernization, the RWA has proposed the integration of an RFID control system into the existing boom barrier to enable fully automatic access control, thereby enhancing convenience and security. The RWA hopes that the concerned authorities will take prompt action on these requests and extend their support in transforming the campus into a safer, more comfortable and well-equipped residential space for all.

               O. P. Singh, Pkt.-1, Sector-7

The corner service road near Bhrigu Apartments and Customs & Excise Apartments has become extremely unsafe. Due to poor visibility and the damaged condition of the road, the risk of accidents is very high for both pedestrians and vehicles. Immediate repairs and proper safety measures are urgently needed to prevent any mishap. We have written to VC, DDA stating that the said road obstructs the view of individuals and vehicles entering from both sides, thereby creating a high risk of accidents. Moreover, the condition of the road is extremely poor, as it is broken and has not been repaired for a long time. This further endangers the safety of people walking and driving in the area. We have also requested to issue necessary instructions to the concerned local office of DDA to repair and restore the said road at the earliest and install appropriate signboards and safety measures to prevent accidents.

Dr. K. S. Bhati, Advocate & President

Federation of RWAs & Societies

Our society is around 25 years old and its infrastructure has deteriorated significantly over time. The internal drainage system is completely damaged, with broken slabs and clogged sewer lines causing frequent water blockages and overflow. Due to the damaged structure, even routine cleaning becomes difficult as the slabs break apart during the process. There is a growing garbage problem in society. For the past six months, garbage collection has been highly irregular. Waste remains uncollected for two to three days, leading to foul smell and unhygienic conditions. Although the sanitation work comes under MCD, the response has been inconsistent and inadequate. Repeated complaints have been made, but no permanent solution has been provided so far.

Ranjan Kumar Singh, President

Surbhi Apartment, Sector-11