NDMC asked to check Congress claims on vacating Lutyens bungalow

NEW DELHI: A year after the government cancelled the allotment of four Lutyens bungalows given to the Congress party, including its headquarters at 24 Akbar Road, the Centre has moved a step forward on the politically sensitive issue.

Right before the Budget session of Parliament, the urban development ministry has written to the municipal corporation to check facts about the Congress claims that clearances for its new headquarters are being delayed by the BJP-run civic body.

The Directorate of Estates, which manages Lutyens Bungalow Zone properties, wrote to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation last week to check the status of Congress’ new headquarters at Rouse Avenue and whether the principal Opposition party has submitted revised building plans for clearance.

The directorate had cancelled the lease of four bungalows – at 24 Akbar Road, 26 Akbar Road, 5 Raisina Road and C-II/109 – on January 22 last year through a notice to the Congress party. The directorate has sought details including timeline of submission of building plans, the revised building plans and the remaining clearances required.

After the notice, Congress treasurer Motilal Vora and senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had met urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu and requested the government to extend the lease of the bungalows as the party’s new headquarters were not ready.

In the representation the Congress had said that it had submitted revised building plans to the corporation, which had asked the party to get additional clearances. The party had said there was much delay in getting the building plans passed by the corporation.