The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is set to deliver 700 flats by the end of this year under its ambitious in-situ rehabilitation project for the residents of Kathputli Colony. The project, which began in 2018 under the “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan” scheme, has been renamed Pragati Apartments, signaling a renewed push towards completion.
Originally, construction was slated for completion by March 2019, but work was significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other administrative hurdles. The new completion deadline has now been set for June 2026, with the first batch of flats to be handed over by December 2025.
Kathputli Colony, formed in the 1960s and 70s, became home to puppeteers, folk dancers, and traditional artists from Rajasthan and other states. Over the decades, the area gained fame, especially after the Bharat Mahotsav in 1980, which brought international recognition to its performers. Despite DDA’s efforts since 1985 to redevelop the colony, strong resistance from residents delayed progress for years.
The current project marks DDA’s first in-situ rehabilitation initiative, being developed under a public-private partnership with Raheja Group. A total of 2,800 flats are planned on 5.2 acres of land, with 3.4 acres dedicated to resettlement housing. Each flat, measuring 37 sq. m, will feature a bedroom, hall, kitchen, bathroom, washroom, and balcony.
The flats, valued at around ₹15 lakh each, will be handed over to eligible families at a subsidised cost of just ₹1.42 lakh, including ₹30,000 earmarked for maintenance. Along with housing, the project will also include two open-air theatres and a school, providing cultural and educational spaces for the community.
Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal recently visited the site, reviewing construction progress and interacting with local residents. His visit indicated the government’s seriousness about completing the project, which has been pending for over a decade due to protests and repeated delays.
If completed on schedule, Pragati Apartments will not only provide modern homes to thousands of slum dwellers but also stand as a model for future in-situ rehabilitation projects in Delhi.