The Hindu : New Delhi News : Nod for Connaught Place re-development

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Thursday, Nov 22, 2007
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New Delhi

Nod for Connaught Place re-development

Manisha Jha

According to the NDMC, the estimated time-frame for completion of the project is July 2010

Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW VISTAS AHEAD: A bird’s-eye view of Connaught Place.

NEW DELHI: After granting preliminary approval to the Connaught Place re-development project in February last year, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) accorded administrative approval and sanctioned funds for the ambitious project at its meeting held here on Wednesday.

This was done after framing of the final proposals and review of the detailed project report submitted to it by an external consultant body, Engineers India Limited, roped in by the Council.

Though the NDMC began work on C Block of Connaught Place in September on a sample basis, it is now gearing up to restore the entire area.

According to the Master Plan for the project prepared by the consultant, the entire project pegged at Rs.671 crore would be executed in two phases.

While the first would include augmentation and up-gradation of engineering services, façade restoration and provision of a centralised air-conditioning system, the second would deal with a comprehensive re-development plan covering traffic, parking and landscaping of the entire Connaught Place. This would be subject to approval of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission. According to the NDMC, the estimated time-frame for completion of the entire project is July 2010.

While the façade restoration would involve a cost-sharing arrangement with the occupants, the centralised air-conditioning system is proposed to be installed on a build-operate-transfer model awarded to a concessionaire after the due process of tendering.

Under augmentation of engineering services, the NDMC plans to upgrade the electricity, water, sewerage, roads and fire-fighting infrastructure.

It also plans to build an underground utility tunnel for laying of services for supply and distribution of electricity, water, sewerage and drainage lines.

Additionally, installation of escalators and a security system complete with closed-circuit television is also on the cards.

The escalators will be installed in existing and new proposed subways.

Major overhauls are being planned by the NDMC for the parking and pedestrian movement area as well.

A two-level underground parking facility is proposed in the Inner Circle and improvisation of existing five subways and pedestrian areas along with construction of eight new subways in the Outer Circle is also proposed.

Though it has been decided to revamp the entire network of services keeping in view future needs for at least 30 to 40 years, wherever possible the existing infrastructure will be dovetailed into the new system.

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