North Delhis Signature View Apartments residents can approach high court for hearing on vacation clause

The residents of the Signature View Apartments, up for demolition in north Delhi, can approach the high court for a hearing on the vacation clause since the matter now is sub judice, the DDA told the building RWA on Thursday.

The residents of the Signature View Apartments, which is slated for demolition in north Delhi, can approach the high court for a hearing on the vacation clause since the matter is now sub judice, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) informed the building's Resident Welfare Association (RWA) on Thursday.

The Complex's Condition

The apartment complex in Mukherjee Nagar, built between 2007 and 2009 with 336 MIG and HIG flats, has some construction issues and is set to be demolished by the DDA. The DDA had earlier offered to pay rent to the residents only if all 336 flats are vacated. The RWA challenged the condition, citing its inability to get all 336 flat owners to hand over their keys at once, and requested the authority to reduce the 100% vacation clause to 75%, hoping that the rest would follow suit soon.

Legal Proceedings

However, since the residents of nine apartments have approached the Delhi High Court and obtained a stay order on further action by the DDA, the matter is now before the court. The RWA President stated that the meeting was held because the DDA was eager to know the RWA's stance on litigation and whether they would continue to negotiate with the authority. The RWA highlighted the weak structure of the building and emphasized the urgency of vacating it, considering the recent series of earthquakes.

RWA's Position

The RWA clarified that it is not a party to the litigation and does not support it, as negotiations with the DDA are ongoing. The RWA President asserted that most, if not all, flat owners are willing to vacate the building if they are provided rent. However, the condition that all 336 flats should be vacated at once is an obstacle.

DDA's Response

The DDA had earlier stated that the removal of the 100% evacuation condition was possible only through an amendment by the Lieutenant Governor's (LG) office. However, since the matter is now in court, this is no longer the case. In Thursday's meeting, the DDA suggested that the RWA make a representation before the LG or an authority member while allowing the court case to proceed. The RWA has announced plans to meet with an additional chief architect in the coming week.

Rehabilitation Options

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, who is also the chairman of the DDA, had earlier ordered the agency to redevelop the apartments and extend support to the thousands of residents facing grave danger to life and property. As part of the rehabilitation plan, three options have been presented to the residents. They can either sell their flats back to the DDA at current rates, have their flats reconstructed and receive rent during the construction period, or accept DDA flats at other locations.

Structural Concerns

A 2021-2022 study conducted by the IIT-Delhi at the behest of the DDA found the building to be structurally unsafe. The residents have expressed concerns about the safety of the building and the urgency of addressing the situation.