Known for its utilitarian and shabby flats, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is all set to give top private builders of Delhi-NCR a run for their money.

The DDA is going to build its first luxury housing project in the Capital that promises all high-end amenities that one sees in housing complexes of reputed private builders. While offering top-notch facilities, DDA promises to keep the price affordable for the middle-class buyers. The project, to be completed in about two years, will have only two-bedroom flats priced at approximately Rs 60 lakh — almost half of the market price.

The project will come up in Pocket E of Lok Nayak Puram, an urban extension of west Delhi near Paschim Vihar. The multi-storied residential complex will have 820 high-end flats, each having a carpet area of 700 square feet.

For the first time, a DDA housing project will boast of a clubhouse, spa, tennis court, swimming pool, amphitheatre, gymnasium and shopping centres. Round the clock security and CCTV camera surveillance are other high points.

Starting from the 1960s, the land development agency has built nearly 3.5 lakh residential units constructed on a ‘no profit no loss’ basis. With social housing on its mind, DDA has always provided only basic amenities at its flat with not too expensive fixtures so that pricing could be kept affordable.

At the Lok Nayak Puram project, DDA will deviate from the pattern for the first time.

“We found out that the difference in cost after providing better facilities was in tune of only four per cent and if merely with that increase in cost we can make available high-end infrastructure, there is no harm in it,” said DDA vice-chairman Balvinder Kumar.

“People can easily pay this difference if they want better services,” he said.

Kumar said that while venturing into luxury apartments, DDA’s work on making affordable housing would continue simultaneously. “Even in one-room flats, we will introduce high-end infrastructure,” he said.

He said the DDA was keen to change its image of providing shabby flats and after Lok Nayak Puram, similar projects in other locations would be taken up.