HUDA orders probe into amusement park land deal

Following the intervention of the Central Vigilance Commission, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has finally marked an inquiry in the allotment of 58 acre prime land in sectors 29 and 52 to a consortium of private companies allegedly at throwaway prices to set up an amusement park and other recreational facilities.

Following the intervention of the Central Vigilance Commission, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has finally marked an inquiry in the allotment of 58 acre prime land in sectors 29 and 52 to a consortium of private companies allegedly at throwaway prices to set up an amusement park and other recreational facilities.

HT Image

SC Kansal, HUDA chief controller of finance, who was also summoned to attend a meeting on Saturday, remained conspicuous by his absence.

Representatives of local resident associations, who had first raised eyebrows on the allotment, were also invited at the HUDA headquarters in Chandigarh where they met the administrator.

HUDA administrator Surjeet Singh has been appointed as the investigating officer (IO) in this matter. The issue had come to light in August last year when the local resident bodies took up the matter with the top brass of the Haryana government. They had claimed that zonal plan of the area was changed and the size of the proposed inter-state bus terminal was reduced to facilitate the land deal. The proposed site of the amusement park in Sector 29 is located next to the HUDA City Centre Metro station.

HUDA had allotted 25 acre in Sector 29 and 33 acres in Sector 52A to a private bidder on a 33-year lease for R130 crore. RS Rathee, former president of DLF Qutub Enclave RWA, said land in Sector 29 was leased out at R56.25 crore for 33 years as against the actual market value of Rs 6,050 crore.

Likewise, 33 acres of land was leased out for R74 crore against its market value of Rs 3,100 crore. “The government could have sold the land instead of giving it on lease. This way they have suffered a huge loss,” he said.

Dharam Sagar, chairman of Federation of RWAs (Forwa), claimed the size of the proposed inter-state bus terminal which was to come up in Sector 29 had been reduced to accommodate the amusement park.