MCD's shifting to its new address

After several postponements, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) finally has a date on which it plans to start phase-wise shifting to the 28-storey Civic Centre — November 11.

After several postponements, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) finally has a date on which it plans to start phase-wise shifting to the 28-storey Civic Centre — November 11.

HT Image

Ever since its foundation stone was laid, the 112 metres state-of-the-art building with glitzy glass and steel façade near Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi had been mired in one or the other controversy.

Built at Rs 650 crore, the 28-storeyed Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre was inaugurated by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on April 22. The civic body had gone ahead with the formal inauguration even when there were hundreds of things left incomplete.

"We plan to shift different offices in a phased manner from November 11," said Deep Mathur, MCD's director (press and information).

The civic body has drawn up an elaborate phase wise plan for shifting vis-à-vis allotment of floor/space as approved by the municipal commissioner.

However, leader of the opposition Jai Kishen Sharma is still sceptical. "I am really doubtful if it would actually happen on Thursday. I had recently visited the building, there is lot of finishing work to be completed."

In July, Sharma had criticised the poor construction quality at the Civic Centre that had led to water logging in the basement and ground floor and a lot of seepage across several walls in the building.

But Sharma said the common man would be benefited the most as all MCD offices would be brought under one roof.