The Pioneer 16.11.2010
High-end public toilets stuck in contract breachParvaiz Sultan | New Delhi
Fate of Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s ambitious plan of constructing high-end toilets across the Capital hangs in balance as the civic body is determined not to go ahead with the project without making certain amendments in the terms and conditions of the contract.
According to sources, the corporation is not pleased with the way concessionaire companies have breached the conditions of the agreement and it also wants certain modification in that.
“They (concessionaire companies) have clearly violated the provisions of the contract. At some locations, they have encroached upon and constructed Sewage Treatment Plant outside while it had to be within the area, which was allotted to them. At some sites, they have added additional floors for restaurant, which is violation of the agreement,” he said.
He further added the deliberative wing has not agreed to allow them to continue for 30 years and it has also been decided to increase the amount of the bid as well. “The bidding amount should also be increased from Rs 12 crore. The modification will enable the MCD to earn more revenue,” he added.
Sources added the MCD also wants it should have power to take stern action without giving notice against the company if any violation of the contract is found in future. “Nine such high-end toilets have been completed and a committee looking into the matter has also visited the sites. But, it has been decided not go ahead with the old terms and conditions,” he said.
The much talked about project was to be completed before the Commonwealth Games and total 216 such public conveniences of international standard were supposed to be constructed in various markets and commercial areas.
Following the initial technical bid, the MCD handed over 28 sites to successful bidders to build prototype toilet-cum-café, out of which, one was to be chosen for final ones. But only nine such facilities could be completed so far because other companies pulled out themselves from the project.
The project hit the road block after several Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) and market associations raised objections over tawdry design and sites chosen for such toilet complexes. Following the intervention of Lieutenant Governor, the project was halted temporarily; a committee was formed to look into the matter. The report of the committee is still awaited.
When asked, member of that committee and Leader of the House in the MCD Subhash Arya refused to comment and said, “The report of the committee will be handed over to the Delhi Mayor and the decision in this regard will be taken thereafter within two-three days,” said the BJP leader.
The locations, where such state-of-the-art public conveniences are prepared are Defence Colony, Kailash Colony, near Moolchand Flyover, Chittaranjan Park, Model Town, Community Centre, East of Kailash, Nehru Place and Greater Kailash M & N block market.
