No discussion on Commonwealth games in authority meeting: DDA

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Denying media reports of the Lt. Governor reprimanding it for delay in the Commonwealth Games project in a meeting held today morning, the DDA clarified that no discussion regarding the Commonwealth Games project was held in the Authority today nor was it a part of the Agenda.

''Apropos of the news item being telecast in certain audio-visual media regarding Lt. Governor having reprimanded DDA for delay in Commonwealth Games project in the Authority meeting held today morning, it is hereby clarified that no discussion regarding the Commonwealth Games project was held in the Authority today nor were Commonwealth Games part of the agenda,''the statement issued by the DDA said.

The DDA said the meeting saw fruitful discussions on various issues like adoption of new technology for construction of EWS Houses considering the shortage of low cost houses for the economically weaker sections of the society. Also discussed was the issue of enhancing construction margins so that strict quality controls and performance standards can be adhered to by contractors.

''The Lt Governor expressed his satisfaction over the action taken on various issues which were raised in the earlier Authority meeting. He also appreciated the progress of various development projects and desired site inspections should be done so that ground realities are understood in a better fashion,''the DDA said.

The DDA said it has been planned to construct 50,000 EWS houses in the next five years using faster mode of construction like prefab construction technology on turn key basis and large panel precast construction technology etc.

''These technologies, as per the proposal, have been adopted in Bombay and Pune successfully. It has been suggested that speedy construction of houses is not possible with the traditional technology and, therefore, the need for new technologies,''it said.

These houses are likely to be taken up in Dwarka, Narela, East Delhi at a cost of around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per sq m The houses will be five-storeyed with frame structure and walls with fly-ash bricks etc.

The second proposal regarding enhancing the construction margins was taken up to facilitate strict quality, performance efficiency and time lines in construction works of DDA by contractors. It had been felt that the manuals adopted by DDA are quite old and are not in consonance with the increased cost of construction, material, labour cost etc.

It was, therefore, decided that this margin should at least be increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.

UNI