The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has registered 21 of its ongoing housing projects with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority for NCT of Delhi (Delhi RERA), out of a total of around 100 projects in the National Capital Region, according to Delhi RERA Chairman Anand Kumar in an interview with Moneycontrol.
Delhi RERA had initially raised objections to DDA not registering its projects with the authority. In December 2021, Delhi RERA issued an order mandating DDA to register its projects to protect the interests of allottees. DDA, whose primary function is to plan, promote, and develop Delhi, had initially opposed the move. However, between August and September 2022, DDA registered 18 of its existing projects with the real estate regulator.
Chairman Anand Kumar emphasized that any organization involved in real estate development, whether government or private, should be responsible for safeguarding homebuyers’ interests. This includes not only DDA but also the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC). These organizations are now complying with the mandate to register their housing, commercial, or plotting projects with RERA.
Kumar disclosed that over 100 projects have been registered with RERA in Delhi thus far. He warned that failure to register by developers or government departments undertaking real estate projects could lead to penalties of up to 5 percent of the total project cost, in accordance with Section 3 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
The Act stipulates that all real estate projects in the National Capital Territory, including those on plots exceeding 500 square meters or having more than eight flats, apartments, floors, shops, or commercial units, must be registered with Delhi RERA for sale or lease.
Kumar also stressed the importance of registering redevelopment projects, which are common in Delhi, with RERA to protect stakeholders’ interests. He recommended that plot owners collaborating with developers for redevelopment should ensure project registration with RERA. Even if redevelopment work has commenced without registration, builders or plot owners can approach the authority to register the project, allowing for ongoing monitoring of construction quality and expenditure.
By complying with these regulations, Delhi aims to strengthen transparency and protect the interests of homebuyers and investors in the real estate sector.