Delay in HQ shifting: MCD blames European winter

The MCD may finally shift to its swanky new headquarters only in April, a year after its much-publicised opening, with the latest reason for the delay being something as distant as the harsh winter in Europe.

The MCD may finally shift to its swanky new headquarters only in April, a year after its much-publicised opening, with the latest reason for the delay being something as distant as the harsh winter in Europe.

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The heavy snowfall across Europe this winter and the resultant travel disruptions have delayed import of high-quality pre-fabricated panels which are being used in building the meeting halls at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre — the city’s tallest building.

Though a number of departments have already shifted to the 112-metre, 28-storey building, the deliberative wing comprising the offices of the mayor, deputy mayor and Standing Committee chairman is yet to move.

The new headquarters of the MCD was unveiled by Union home minister P Chidamabaram in April 2010 amid much fanfare.

“The meeting halls, including the one in which the meeting of the House will be held, is still under construction. This was due to delay in importing the panels from Europe which saw unprecedented snowfall this time,” an MCD leader said.

“There is no use shifting now when the Standing Committee and House meetings will have to be held in Town Hall only.

Though we have given the builder agency a deadline of February, it seems impossible that work will be over by then.

We hope the first meeting of April can be held in the new building,” the leader said.