ANURADHA NAGARAJ: Do you think a body like DDA is still relevant in today’s privatised environment?
DINESH RAI: In every city you have an agency for planning—nothing is possible without planning. You have to plan infrastructure, roads, water supply, power and, in the new Masterplan, we have provided for a greater role of private participation. We are doing away with the monopolistic situation—even the Commonwealth Games Village is a PPP (public-private partnership) model.

ESHA ROY: DDA has faced flak for failing to complete the Masterplan and zonal plans in time. Do you foresee a time when planning will be carried out only by private concerns?
RAI: These are not simple exercises; they require a lot of consultation. We received 7,000 suggestions for preparing Masterplan 2021—we have to hear (ideas), discuss, and come to conclusion. I will give you two examples: the population of senior citizens and working women is on the rise, so right now we are busy providing for them. In our plans we have provided more space for old-age homes and working women’s hostels.

A government body is always needed to plan and provide infrastructure.

AMANDEEP SHUKLA: How has DDA changed, especially when seen against the changes in the real estate sector in the past few years?
RAI: We have changed totally. We have people with “May I Help You?” banners at our reception, and I think it is as well managed as any hotel front desk. We have interactive kiosks and booklets to provide information on procedures, which are sometimes lengthy. But they are required as there have been instances where people have been able to con even bank payment slips.

AANCHAL BANSAL: There have been many corruption cases, the Ashok Malhotra land scam and the whole sealing exercise being just two. What is DDA doing to curb such incidents?
RAI: When the last draw (of lots) was done we saw that people were trying to take unfair advantage through multiple applications. So the first reform we did was that only one person from one family can apply—and he has to give his PAN number.

As for allegations against Ashok Malhotra, I think the matter is in court. But we have enough safety measures.

AMANDEEP SHUKLA: Malhotra was not the only scam for DDA, which has a Vigilance department?
RAI: There can be the odd cases where somebody is asking for money and is caught. I have suspended many officials for issuing completion certificates in houses yet to be completed. We have taken many strict actions; I don't have the figures, but we have gone ahead despite the unions' opposition.

The Malhotra case was in the Slum and JJ department, not DDA.

ANURADHA NAGARAJ: DDA issues advertisements about its achievements. Yet there is this case in which residents in Kalkaji claim DDA has not been able to deliver them a good neighbourhood. How do you respond?
RAI: That may be an odd, isolated case where residents may say you have earmarked it as green but the land is actually inhabited by slum dwellers. But I have to strike a balance—I can’t just throw out the slum dwellers. I have to provide them either alternate plots or houses. There has been a shift in government policy—we have to give them flats. But there are few plots. They will be removed, and that is part of our layout.

SAHIM SALIM: There have been cases in consumer courts where the commission observed that DDA flats are uninhabitable. How do you react?
RAI: There are isolated cases; sometimes what the commission says is also undone by higher forums. There can be a difference of opinion.

ESHA ROY: With private builders coming in, are you going to redevelop DDA flats’ core design?
RAI: Architecture and design have changed over time. DDA began with the Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone and then it became two storeys. From two, it (flats) became four. Now there is no height restriction; our buildings are taller and we are going for permanent finish and innovative designs.

MANDAKINI GAHLOT: There is criticism that the Games Village is way behind schedule. Your take?
RAI: We are on schedule. Since it is in the public-private mode, we have to complete it by March 2007. If we finish it too early, you have to maintain it and money is spent on that. It has been given to the best party—Emaar MGF, which is building the world’s highest building.

KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL: Post-Games how much of the Village will remain?
RAI: The dining areas and international zones are temporary. (The place) where athletes and officials will reside is permanent. As per our agreement, two-third will be kept by the developer.

ESHA ROY: A lot of projects get stuck at the DUAC. Do you think it should be scrapped?
RAI: DUAC has been assigned a certain role under a statuette. They (members) are eminent people and have their own point of view. I think they have given us useful suggestions. Personally, I don’t feel there is any reason for DUAC’s abolition.

AMANDEEP SHUKLA: Does DDA know how much of its land is encroached?
RAI: Around 1,200 acres, mostly in unauthorised colonies. Once land is declared to be unauthorised colony, it is difficult to remove it.

ARPIT PARASHAR: How often do you coordinate with agencies in NCR?
RAI: There is the NCR planning board. Besides board members, Chief Ministers of neighbouring states attend meetings; I am also invited. The agenda is connectivity, markets, railways, transport. As far as connectivity is concerned, we interact with Haryana and UP.

ANURADHA NAGARAJ: In areas like Dwarka, residents feel there is a huge conflict between agencies on providing infrastructure...
RAI: Most of the infrastructure is done by DDA, and handed over. Water is an issue because it comes from outside Delhi. Otherwise, Dwarka will be the best place in Delhi in near future—it has the best infrastructure. The water problem is being sorted out with Haryana. By and large we have done pretty well and market prices are a good indicator.

AMANDEEP SHUKLA: Mumbai wants to be like Shanghai. What does DDA want Delhi to be like?
RAI: We want Delhi to be a world-class city with the best infrastructure. Every city has its own character, and Delhi has a character no other city has: historical monuments, the Lutyen's Bungalow Zone (LBZ). These place certain constraints in development. The freedom you have is in the new areas. It will be a great achievement if we can have a satisfied population of 23 million.