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.