The Indian Express                     10.04.2013

After review, NDMC promises to finish CP redevelopment project by April-end

After Delhi government voiced its unhappiness over the delay in the
completion of the Connaught Place redevelopment project, despite several
deadline extensions, a review of the project was conducted on Tuesday.

After the survey, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said that all major works would be completed by April 30.

“NDMC has assured us that all major works, such as placing water
pipelines, electricity cables and sewage lines in the underground
service corridor will be completed by the end of April,” president of
New Delhi Traders Association Atul Bharghav, said. He added that the
work on facade restoration is also expected to be completed by
April-end. Only the installation of escalators along two subways will be
pending since the escalators are being procured abroad, Bhargav said.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, on Monday, had chaired a meeting
with Engineers India Limited (EIL) and all concerned departments and
market associations in CP, and had directed Chief Secretary D M Spolia
and a team from EIL and market associations to survey all the
redevelopment work that is yet to be done.

NDMC spokesperson, A K Mishra assured that, “All major works will
be completed by April 30.” EIL, on Monday, had also told the government
the project would be completed by April 30.

The Delhi government had contracted EIL to complete the project
before the Commonwealth Games in 2010. The delay had led to losses
incurred by businesses in CP.

“We have been facing losses due to the delay. We just want the
work to be completed at the earliest,” Bharghav had said during the
meeting Monday.

Delhi government is now considering imposing a financial penalty on EIL, claimed sources.