Seven years on, new office building of MMRDA still incomplete

MUMBAI: After 92 months and expenditure of Rs 106 crore, the construction of the new office building of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority ( MMRDA) is still incomplete, according to an RTI query.

RTI activist Anil Galgali had sought information about progress of the construction. The building is coming up behind the current office of MMRDA in Bandra Kurla Complex here.

As per the information provided by the government, slow pace of the work caused a cost escalation of Rs 19 crore.

According to the reply of executive engineer of MMRDA, M Y Patil, proposal for new office building was first moved on December 24, 2007.

The sanctioned basic cost was Rs 87 crore and it was to be completed by December 2012.

But despite three extensions -- first till September 2013, then till December 2014 and then again till May 2015 -- the work remains incomplete.

The MMRDA has blamed other authorities such as Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the state environment department, etc., for the delayed permissions, as well as the changes in original plan, for the delay in completion of work.

The project is being executed by Relcon Infraprojects. Interior decoration contract has been awarded to Godrej, while electrification and air-conditioning contract has been given to Pravin Electrical.

The building will have nine floors and two service floors.