Bihar government approves luxury houses for legislators

The proposed quarters for Bihar legislators in state capital Patna will be a big step up from the two-bedroom flats now.

The proposed quarters for Bihar legislators in state capital Patna will be a big step up from the two-bedroom flats now.

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All 318 legislators — 243 MLAs and 75 MLCs — will have duplex quarters in two complexes spread over 61 acres. Each house is likely to cost between Rs60 lakh and Rs70 lakh. The project cost will be close to Rs300 crore.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar had announced during his last tenure legislators would have modern quarters.

The complexes, going by the wishes of the CM, should be ready before the next assembly polls in 2015.

Building construction department (BCD) secretary Sudhir Kumar said, “The MLAs’ houses will come up on 44 acres near the Birchand Patel Marg, while the MLCs’ (members of legislative council) quarters will be constructed behind R Block on 17 acres.”

Apart from comfort and a secure environment, the complexes will have gymnasiums, swimming pools, convention halls, recreation centres, libraries, hospitals and central stores.

Each duplex unit will have an area of 3,693.50 square feet (sq ft), with a ground floor and two floors above.

The ground floor with a carpet area of 1,757 .50 sq ft will have a guest room, office, parking space, a kitchen and a courtyard. The first floor (1,526 sq ft) will have three bedrooms with attached bathrooms and terrace. The second floor (410 sq ft) will have two rooms for support staff.

A source in the BCD said, “Each house will have sufficient space for front and back gardens. Technically, each duplex will have six rooms.”

Barring some buildings, including a circuit house, a school building and ground and the Janata Dal (United) office, all other buildings in the area earmarked for the MLA quarters would be razed, the source added.