Offering of commercial sites at Delhi Metro station

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) Commercial spaces within Delhi Metro Rail Corporation stations are licensed out to vendors for commuter related items at most metro stations, Minister for Urban Development Ajay Maken told the Lok Sabha today.

The spaces were normally licensed out through competitive bids after advertising in newspapers. Where large number of spaces were available, the demand was less, such as at Pulbangash station, the rent was fixed based on prevailing rates received in neighbouring stations and allotment was made on 'walk-in' basis, he said in a written reply.

Total revenue generated by DMRC from commercial sites at various Metro stations since allotment was Rs 107.38 crore.

Land Prices Replying to another question, he said land prices in Delhi and nearby areas had risen during the last two years due to various factors including growth in economy, supply and demand, easy availability of housing loan, easy financing of housing projects, change from leasehold into freehold, infrastructure improvements such as better connectivity through Delhi Metro and ensuing Commonwealth Games.

The central government did not regulate/control prices of land in Delhi or other areas and property prices were generally determined by market forces.

Slum Development As per policy of the Delhi government, relocation of slum and jhuggi dwellers in the city was primarily done by Slum and JJ wing of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Delhi Development Authority had been relocating slum and jhuggi dwellers from its land as per this policy as and when land was required for any public project, he said in response to another question.

Master Plan for Delhi 2021 envisaged that resettlement, whether in the form of in-situ upgradation or relocation, should be based mainly in built up accomodation of around 25 sq m with common areas and facilities.

The concept of land as a resource should be adopted to develop such accomodation with private sector pariticipation and investment to the extend possible.

Wakf Properties Delhi Wakf Board had informed that the Sachhar Committee in its report had indicated 114 wakf properties reportedly under unauthorised occupation of DDA, Mr Maken said in reply to another question.

Many such properties were taken over by it from erstwhile Delhi Improvement Trust.

DDA had taken up survey/field inquiry in respect of these properties and further action would depend on the outcome of the survey report and varification of claims.

UNI