BJP leader unhappy over new SDMC HQ location

New Delhi: Days after the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the NBCC (National Buildings Construction Corporation) for construction of its headquarters, Delhi BJP media incharge Praveen Shankar Kapoor has requested L-G Anil Baijal to reconsider the decision saying that the location is not people-friendly.

In a letter to Mr Baijal, Mr Kapoor said that IP Estate, where the proposed headquarters will be constructed, is located in one corner of SDMC’s jurisdiction and in fact is the most unsuitable site. It would be very cumbersome for people to travel from far off Najafgarh, Tughlakabad, or Bijwasan to the new headquarters.

“I made a preliminary inquiry and it came to my knowledge that DDA had allotted a piece of land in Dwarka for SDMC headquarters. However, the same was not accepted, citing transport and connectivity issues. I wish to ask the authorities, is the present IP Estate site good connectivity wise except that it is near to the corridors of power in New Delhi,” wrote Mr Kapoor.

He suggested that the SDMC could have a well sought office land from DDA or the CPWD in Central Delhi.

“Going with the same process, land could have be-en easily obtained somewhere in the centre of the area under SDMC in the public’s interest. The SDMC itself has a large piece of land in R.K. Puram where the office of assessor and collector stands,” he suggested.