The Hindu 18.10.2010
Procedure delays work on EWS quarters
Staff Reporter
Construction only after BBMP Council approval
1,640 flats will come up in 14 acres of land
Bangalore: Though the High Court of Karnataka has directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take up construction of the quarters for economically weaker sections (EWS) of society in Koramangala, there still is a hiccup. The construction will be taken up only after the BBMP Council discusses the issue and approves it.
Sources in the BBMP said that Commissioner Siddaiah and Mayor S.K. Nataraj were keen on discussing the project to bring in some clarity before the project is taken up. This translates to delay in taking up the project.
The High Court recently ruled in favour of Maverick Holdings and Investments in a petition filed by a Mumbai-based construction company, which had challenged the award of tender to Maverick.
The developer will be constructing 1,640 flats in 14 acres of land in Koramangala. The construction will be taken up under public-private partnership.
While the flats will come up on part of the land, the remaining will be used for commercial purposes.
The sources said that the discussion would mainly be on ensuring that the BBMP gets a good bargain in the public-private partnership.
“For example, Maharaja Complex in the Majestic area was also constructed in a similar manner. However, what was discussed in the council was different from what was executed.
“This has caused revenue loss to the BBMP. The civic authority has to ensure that this is not repeated and the interest of the BBMP is protected,” they said.
Meanwhile, Uday Garudachar, Managing Director of Maverick Holdings and Investments, said that he would take up construction only after the BBMP Council ratifies the High Court order and the Government Order.
“We are vested with the responsibility of providing habitable conditions to around 6,000 people. It is a big project. Some commercial property will also come up. We have the task of converting a non-performing asset (land) into a performing asset,” he said.
He also said that there can be no changes in the tender conditions.
“The tender is water-tight. However, we will be asking for some sops for a few ‘petty issues'. These are just operational problems and I am sure that the civic authority will stand by us,” he added.
The BBMP demolished the EWS quarters in 2003 after three buildings collapsed, killing seven persons. The other 39 blocks showed signs of “wear and tear”. The quarters had 1,512 flats in 42 blocks. The flats were allotted to beneficiaries belonging to economically weaker sections of society between 1987 and 1992.
