Delhi Development Authority website crashes post housing scheme launch

New Delhi: The DDA official website on Monday crashed following a massive online response from people soon after the launch of its flagship 'Housing Scheme 2014' that offers over 25,000 flats.

"Soon after the launch, we received over 5 lakh hits on our official website, following which it has crashed. Efforts are on to restore the service," a senior DDA official said.

The urban body today launched its much-awaited 'Housing Scheme 2014' at the Vikas Sadan, its headquarters here, as locals and people from neighboring states stood in long queues to buy the application form.

For 53-year-old M S Bisht, who hails from Nainital but has been a long-time resident of New Delhi, is hoping to be "lucky this time".

"I have applied three times for DDA flats but all in vain so far. I am hoping to be lucky this time," Bisht, who lives in R K Puram in a government flat, said as he stood in the queue.

Mukesh Kumar (52), another applicant who from Meerut to buy the form on the very first day, said, "I want to return to Delhi."

"I used to live in Delhi on rent but then there were some problems and I had to shift to Meerut. Now, I wish to return as my children are settled," he said.

70-year-old V S Tripathi, who retired as an officer in the defence department, is also keeping his fingers crossed this time as his previous bids to get a DDA flat have been unsuccessful.

"I hail from Kanpur and I have always wanted a DDA flat but no success so far," he said.

For housewife Babita from Moti Bagh area, who hails from Bihar, a house in Delhi means "a step towards a prosperous future".

"Growth is happening in big cities and therefore, we are seeking future for us in cities like Delhi. No development is taking in small towns, what options do we have," she said.

The 2014 scheme offers flats ranging from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore across categories -- EWS, LIG, MIG, HIG, Janta flats and one-room apartments.

"We are offering 25,034 flats in the scheme, out of which 22,627 are one-bed room apartments," Balvinder Kumar, Vice-Chairman, DDA, said.