The Indian Express              17.08.2013

CP redevelopment fund to finance NDMC’s France trip

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials will soon travel to Paris, the capital of France, on public money. The reason — they were invited to the city by its Mayor, for the 'urban re-generation' of Place de la Republique.

Three NDMC officials have been granted permission to visit Paris, after the trip was approved by the chairperson. Steps have been taken to fund the trip from the Connaught Place redevelopment fund.

"Written instructions have been given to charge the expenditure from the head of Connaught Place redevelopment project and officials have been asked to work this out. The expenditure will be borne under the CP project and three officials will go to Paris by next month after obtaining the necessary permissions from all the government agencies," a senior Estate department official said.

Initial cost of the project was Rs 76 crore, which has increased nine-fold. CAG had blamed NDMC's poor planning as the estimated cost soared to Rs 671 crore. The project cost was later slashed by Rs 200 crore. Despite the cost escalation, approvals have been sought to add expenses incurred in the Paris trip to the redevelopment project.

"Three officials will visit Paris. They could not seek permission to go to Paris on dates they were invited but now this has been processed and approvals sought. However, expenditure head is yet to be decided," NDMC Secretary Vikas Anand said.

The officials involved in CP project have been called to discuss technology sharing between the two countries.

Newsline had reported that NDMC, which drew flak for the delay in CP's revamp, was invited to Paris for talks on preserving heritage and architecture.