NSG hub will have to wait longer

The 23-acre plot allotted to the National Security Guards (NSG) at Marol, for creating permanent operational facilities, continues to be encroached upon, reports Presley Thomas.

The 23-acre plot allotted to the National Security Guards (NSG) at Marol, for creating permanent operational facilities, continues to be encroached upon.

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RPS Infraprojects Pvt Ltd, which occupies the land, was to clear the land by October 31.

The 250-strong NSG contingent, stationed in the city, has been asked to move out of their temporary quarters at state police’s Kalina campus by November 15.

The NSG contingent moved to the city four months ago. But the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), which was to immediately start construction of infrastructure on the Marol land, has not been able to do so, because of the encroachment. Hindustan Times had first reported the encroachment on October 6.

As the encroachment continues and NBCC is unable to begin construction, the NSG will continue to be without any operational and proper housing facilities after November 15. Once the construction begins, NBCC will take at least a year to complete the work.

Director General of NSG, NPS Aulakh has already taken up the issue with the police authorities. While state police chief S.S. Virk pleaded ignorance, Hasan Gafoor, director general of police (housing) said: “It is really tough to get land in Mumbai.” “We handed over the land to NSG about six months ago. Now it is their sole property.”

RPS Infraprojects has a cement-mixing unit, a testing laboratory, offices and other facilities housed on the land. Ketan Shah, a director of the firm said: “We will take at least ten days to move out.”

The firm works on infrastructure projects awarded by the government. Government sources say the private firm has stated that it would clear the land only when it is allotted an alternative plot.