Connaught Place redevelopment: NDMC to phase out contractor

NEW DELHI: Under mounting attack for missing a series of deadlines in completing the over Rs 600-crore Connaught Place redevelopment project, the NDMC has now decided to remove the contractor Engineers India Ltd gradually from all its work in the city's commercial hub.

"We have now decided to take the reins in our hands. We are going to remove EIL from all the works in a phased manner and we will carry out the repair and maintenance by ourselves," New Delhi Municipal Council Chairperson Jalal Srivastava said.

The project was scheduled for completion ahead of Commonwealth Games in October, 2010 but the EIL is yet to complete it, missing one deadline after another in the last three years.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in July had set a "final deadline" of September 30 for the project but the government- owned company could not meet that deadline as well as works on escalators, drains and floors are still going on.

"The problem is that the EIL took the work very very casually. We are going to hire a new company for the overall maintenance of each and every facility in Connaught Place. There will be clearly defined deliverables along with penalty clauses," Srivastava said.

In an effort to further make the area look presentable, the Chairperson said there were plans to provide centralised cooling system in all the buildings in the area.

"The AC machines jutting out of windows and placed on parapets make the buildings look ugly. We can have a centralised cooling system and cooled air can be supplied through pipes in all buildings.

"We will have a meeting of the council members after the elections to discuss it. We may require financial assistance under the JNNURM scheme," he said.

On the perpetual problem of parking in Connaught Place and other such areas like Khan Market, Srivastava was of the view that making good use of public transport can help solve the parking woes.