The Times of India 16.02.2013
South Delhi Municipal corporation picks GK-II park for chief's home
NEW DELHI: South Delhi
Municipal Corporation's decision to constructing a multi-storeyed
residential complex for its officials, including the commissioner, in
GK-II has not gone down well the residents of GK-II, CR Park and
Alaknanda. Residents are opposing the project as the land where the
project is planned is currently given on rent for organizing marriages
and religious functions. The area councillor claims that the land is an
MCD notified park but officials say it is earmarked for a school
building.
"This is the only big park in GK-II, CR Park and Alaknanda. It was named Uday Shankar Park by the erstwhile MCD. How can South Corporation plan a residential complex, especially the commissioner's residence, in this area which doesn't have many open spaces? If the corporation doesn't cancel the project, we'll hold protests,'' Virender Kasana, area councilor, said.
For the past few years, the civic agency has been giving the area, measuring 11,500 sq metres, on rent for functions. The corporation earns close to Rs 25,000 per booking.
The proposal to construct a residential complex was recently placed by the commissioner, Manish Gupta, and approved in the House meeting. Officials say the land in question was earmarked for a school building. But, as the corporation had no plans for a school in this area, the land was transferred to the horticulture department so that the corporation can earn revenue from it. "We are giving out on rent as the corporation has no project planned here. It is not a master plan green. It is an open area which can be developed by the corporation,'' said a senior South Corporation official.
When contacted, Gupta said, "We have planned a project, but are still working on the final plan. We will get the land use checked. But, to the best of my knowledge, it is an open space. But we will still check it. Moreover, it is just a proposal."
The ruling BJP says the Congress is making it an issue for no reason. "On one hand, they accuse us of not doing anything for our employees. Now that we have planned a project, they have objections to it. The project was sanctioned only after proper scrutiny. But we will still get the matter examined whether it is a park or open space,'' Subhash Arya, leader of the House, South Corporation, said.
Meanwhile, residents are also opposing the move. "The corporation should not plan any building project here. A lot of functions are organized here,'' a resident of GK-II said.
"This is the only big park in GK-II, CR Park and Alaknanda. It was named Uday Shankar Park by the erstwhile MCD. How can South Corporation plan a residential complex, especially the commissioner's residence, in this area which doesn't have many open spaces? If the corporation doesn't cancel the project, we'll hold protests,'' Virender Kasana, area councilor, said.
For the past few years, the civic agency has been giving the area, measuring 11,500 sq metres, on rent for functions. The corporation earns close to Rs 25,000 per booking.
The proposal to construct a residential complex was recently placed by the commissioner, Manish Gupta, and approved in the House meeting. Officials say the land in question was earmarked for a school building. But, as the corporation had no plans for a school in this area, the land was transferred to the horticulture department so that the corporation can earn revenue from it. "We are giving out on rent as the corporation has no project planned here. It is not a master plan green. It is an open area which can be developed by the corporation,'' said a senior South Corporation official.
When contacted, Gupta said, "We have planned a project, but are still working on the final plan. We will get the land use checked. But, to the best of my knowledge, it is an open space. But we will still check it. Moreover, it is just a proposal."
The ruling BJP says the Congress is making it an issue for no reason. "On one hand, they accuse us of not doing anything for our employees. Now that we have planned a project, they have objections to it. The project was sanctioned only after proper scrutiny. But we will still get the matter examined whether it is a park or open space,'' Subhash Arya, leader of the House, South Corporation, said.
Meanwhile, residents are also opposing the move. "The corporation should not plan any building project here. A lot of functions are organized here,'' a resident of GK-II said.
