About DDA

• As part of the provisions of the Delhi Development Act the Development Authority was created in 1957 to carry out secure and planned development of Delhi city.
• DDA has been responsible for the quick and organised development of the Delhi city. Delhi has emerged as one of the favourite choice of cities for residence for more than 11 million people and this number is constantly rising.
• The development and progress of Delhi received wider attention and focus when the British government shifted its capital from Kolkata to Delhi in the year 1911. Initially north of Northern ridge was the proposed location for developing the capital. However, it was changed to its present location around Raisina Hills.
• Delhi city was planned by the popular town planners Herbert Baker and Edward Lutyens in the year 1912.
• Nazul Office comprising of 10 to 12 officials was the first authoritative office to be set up in the Collectorate of Delhi to regulate activities pertaining to development of a planned city.
• The Nazul office was promoted to constitute the Improvement Trust as per the regulations of the United Provinces Improvement Act, 1911 in the year 1937. The main tasks assigned to this trust were to control building constructions and regulate land usage.
• The partition of the country in the year 1947 and the ensuing migration of people enhanced Delhi's population from 7 lakhs to 17 lakhs by 1951. All the available Open lands were encroached by the migrants. Basic amenities and public services were in a collapse state. The two Civic service providers the Municipal Body and the Delhi Improvement Trust were not adequately prepared to handle the changing scenario.
• In the year 1950 the Central Government under the leadership of Sh. G D. Birla formed a committee to check the disorganised growth of Delhi. The Committee recommended the formation of a Single Planning & Controlling Authority to carry out all the developmental and town planning activities of urban areas in Delhi.
• As a result of this recommendation the Delhi Development (Provisional) Authority - DDPA - was formed by promulgating an ordinance (Control of Building Operations). This ordinance was replaced by the Delhi Development Act in 1957 with an aim to set the road map of Delhi development as per the standard plan.
• Delhi Development Authority got its present name on 30th Dec 1957 and its present role as the 9th builder of this grand Delhi city.