The Hindu      24.01.2011

MCD deliberative wing to shift to new civic centre by February

After the near completion of the shifting process of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's executive wing, the civic body's deliberative wing is gearing up to shift there next by February first week, according to Delhi Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney.

“Since the shifting of the executive wing from the MCD headquarters in Town Hall is more or less complete, the deliberative wing comprising the office of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Standing Committee chairman would be shifting by the first week of February. We have already communicated to the Municipal Commissioner to complete all arrangements including furniture, sound and light fittings, security and phone and intercom connectivity in the building by that time,” he added.

The Mayor further stated that the delay in readying of the two meeting halls constructed in the new civic centre was caused by a hold-up on part of the United States suppliers of equipment in view of their festive season.

“The lights and sound fitting equipment for the two halls was to come by January from US-based firms as we had placed our orders in December. However, owing to Christmas festival in December they stopped work for almost a month there leading to delay. The equipment is now expected to come in February and accordingly the two halls should finally be functional by March end. Till then the meetings of the MCD House and Standing Committee would take place at Town Hall only,” he added.

MCD Leader of House Subhash Arya also stated that only the offices of the engineering department and of the additional commissioners falling under the executive wing were still remaining to be shifted to the new civic centre along with the deliberative wing.

However, the Mayor admitted to several glitches still to be ironed out before the shifting process could come through to the new civic centre located on Minto Road.

“There is still no canteen in the new civic centre and the mobile phone connectivity is only limited till the 17 {+t} {+h} floor instead of up to all the 28 floors. So if we try to call officials who sit on floors above the 17 {+t} {+h} we are unable to reach them. We hope these problems would get sorted out by the first week of February so that the shifting takes place smoothly,” he added.