New Delhi: To expedite sample collection by CBI at Signature View Apartments so that the quality of construction can be assessed, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plans to hire temporary staff to lay electrical wires and install lights on all floors of the 12 blocks comprising 336 apartments.Officials said the majority of samples required have already been collected by CBI, which is investigating alleged criminal conspiracy and corruption surrounding the substandard construction of the apartments.“These samples are being sent to Delhi Technological University (DTU), which will study the quality of material used in the construction. About 340 more samples need to be collected to check the quality of reinforcement. Thereafter, we will get the necessary approvals, and it would take four-five months to demolish the structure and remove the debris before starting redevelopment work,” a DDA official said.According to the DDA tender, workers will be deployed for “carrying all types of electrical works, such as electric supply to each and every block through manual cables through staircases, and accessories from the pump house or meter room to all 12 blocks on top floors or wherever sample collection work is carried out, as per directions of the engineer in charge”.However, residents who moved out of the complex more than a year ago and shifted to rented accommodation are unhappy with the delay. They said the authority had indicated that the site would be redeveloped in about three years, but demolition has not yet begun despite DDA floating a tender for manually demolishing the complex last year.Amarendra Kumar Rakesh, president, RWA at Signature View Apartments, said most residents vacated the complex before Diwali in Oct 2025 after the authorities disconnected power and water connections.“As soon as we vacated the complex, DDA allocated a tender for demolishing the complex. The tender deadline was four months, but demolition work couldn’t start because of a pending NOC from CBI. We learnt that the agency is likely to finish work by Sept 20. But the current situation has made living difficult for senior citizens as well as students who have to cover longer distances to reach schools and colleges,” he said.Residents said they are receiving rent from DDA, but the amount has increased only 10% over the base rent offered in the first year.The delay is linked to legal hurdles surrounding the project. “While CBI is likely to present the sample report before its court, there is a second case pending in Delhi High Court related to the floor area ratio (FAR) and the number of flats that can be constructed as part of the redevelopment,” Rakesh said, adding that residents have challenged DDA’s proposal to use additional FAR to increase flats on the existing site.
