DDA clears ₹14,962 cr. budget for 2026-27, post third straight revenue surplus

Posting a revenue surplus for the third consecutive year, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday approved a ₹14,962-crore budget for 2026-27 at a meeting chaired by Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) V. K. Saxena.

According to a DDA press release, the agency posted a surplus of ₹2,112 crore in 2025-26, marking a financial turnaround after more than a decade of losses. The improved position was attributed largely to higher housing sales. The DDA said it sold over 10,160 flats in 2025-26 so far, earning more than ₹2,165 crore from housing receipts. Although this year’s collections are lower than last year’s ₹2,963 crore, they remain higher than figures recorded prior to 2023.

The DDA also approved a policy to allot vacant land for setting up Atal Canteens across Delhi. Under the proposal, the DDA will lease land to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) at a nominal fee of ₹1 per year for up to nine years. Currently, 71 such canteens operate in the city, providing affordable meals. Permanent structures will not be allowed on the allotted land.

In another key decision, the DDA approved the urbanisation of 48 rural villages, bringing them under municipal governance. The move is expected to address infrastructure gaps and enable planned development in areas that currently lie outside the urban framework.

To augment revenue, the DDA approved a new advertising policy covering its parks, sports complexes, golf courses and vacant land. Advertising sites will be identified through a survey and auctioned in phases. For outdoor sites along main streets, a revenue-sharing MoU will be signed with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) while revenue from indoor advertisements within DDA premises will not be shared with other government bodies.

The DDA also approved relaxation in premium and interest for the Delhi government universities allotted land in Narela to support the development of an education hub. The proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval. Additionally, land use changes linked to the Rithala-Narela-Kundli metro corridor and a proposed multi-sports stadium in Narela received approval.