Owners of 'idle' plots in New Town Action Area I to be served notices: HIDCO

Owners of plots in New Town Action Area I who are yet to begin construction of their homes will be served notices by the Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). They will be asked to explain why legal action should not be initiated against them.

Three hundred plot owners who were allotted land in Action Area I five years ago have not started construction despite repeated requests by HIDCO.

In August 2016 HIDCO met the plot owners who had not begun construction and assured them of every possible help. The state Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim was also present at the meeting which was held at Nazrul Tirtha. HIDCO had announced then that those who submitted building plans till December 31, 2016, would be felicitated.

Accordingly, a programme was held at Rabindra Tirtha on April 13 and 99 plot owners were felicitated. Those who submitted building plans were assured full cooperation. HIDCO requested them to construct the buildings in Action Area I. Some 300 plot holders showed no interest in beginning construction. It may be mentioned that the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is taking back plots from owners who have not started construction in the past five years. In Salt Lake, the state government is taking back idle plots from people and putting up notice boards at the site. The land of a former bureaucrat has also been taken away. The HIDCO authorities took up the matter with legal experts who suggested issuance of notices to unwilling plot owners seeking an explanation. HIDCO might take back their plot in the future if the concerned owners fail to furnish proper explanation.

It is learnt that HIDCO will again distribute 75 plots for middle, lower and higher income groups through a lottery. The online application for the plots began on January 28 and will go until April 30. Till March 31, 566 people have applied for the plots.

New Town has metamorphosed into an attractive destination in the past few years. HIDCO's slogan for the township is: "There is never a dull moment in New Town. Here you can keep expecting the unexpected." The connectivity has improved and it is fast emerging as a cultural, educational and business hub.