Civic Centre-type structure proposed in Azadpur

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North MCD) is planning to construct a structure similar to the Civic Centre in Azadpur. The structure will come up on over one lakh sqm area.

Besides, the cash-strapped Corporation has also decided to develop nearly 2.5 lakh sqm for commercial purpose.

With these initiatives, the North MCD’s Standing Committee is set to generate revenue by using the unused sites being exploited for commercial purposes. 

“The Corporation may become financially sound and even may not require financial help to meet its obligations. Though the plan is in the initial stage, efforts are on to materialise it,” said North MCD’s Standing Committee chairman MP Bhardwaj, while passing a proposal stating that the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) will carry out the project. 

Now, the proposal will be discussed in the House and if approved, the NBCC will start the construction.

The Corporation has planned to develop a total of 10 sites at Azadpur, Model Town, Dhaka, Minto Road, Land of Idgah slaughter in Walled City, Kashmiri Gate, Karampura, etc. 

The first six sites, which are proposed to come up on over 2.5 lakh sqm land, will be developed by the NBCC, while the remaining – proposed to vome up on over 1 lakh sqm land – will be developed by Corporation itself. 

The civic agency informed that the NBCC is likely to construct a Civic Tentre-type structure at Azadpur as there is a large vacant land. “We have nearly 1.01 lakh sqm land at the area where a civic centre can easily be built. If we succeed to finalise the plan, the Corporation will earn at least Rs 100 crore per month. The other sites, which will be leased/rent ed out for commercial/office/residential activities, will boost revenue amounting over Rs 100 crore,” said another official.

The Corporation is planning to develop around 84,000 sqm land at Model Town, 1.01 lakh sqm at Azadpur, 31,500 sqm at Dhaka, 4,200 sqm and 13,500 at Minto Road, 3,200 sqm at Walled City and 1 lakh sqm at Kashmiri Gate, Paharganj, Karampura, etc. 

As per the plan, the NBCC will bear the entire cost of construction and will charge interest at the rate of 15 per cent on the total expenditure. The company will charge 7 per cent for Project Management Consultancy (PMC) and 1.7 per cent as marketing charges on total lease/rent consideration. 

“As we have constructed one or two-storey buildings at these sites, we want to develop them for commercial activities. If things go well, North Corporation will meet its expenses from itself,” said Bhardwaj.