With the MMRDA failing to keep its promise, the DCD has now asked it to pay a rent of Rs 14 crore along with interest, and wants to get the centre constructed by the Police Housing Corporation instead
An Andheri plot has turned into the bone of contention between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Directorate of Civil Defence (DCD).
The MMRDA had proposed a training facility on the Andheri plot for civil defence cadets (They assist the police and armed forces during natural disasters and other crises). The DCD had handed over the plot in 2009 for temporary use to the MMRDA for the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro Rail project, and the MMRDA had agreed to construct a training centre for them in return of a waiver on the rent of the plot.
With the MMRDA failing to keep its promise, the DCD has now asked it to pay a rent of Rs 14 crore along with interest, and wants to get the centre constructed by the Police Housing Corporation instead.
According to DCD sources, in January 2009, the DCD had temporarily handed over 2.47 hectares of land to MMRDA and as per the agreement, the MMRDA had agreed to construct a training centre and an administrative building for home guards and the DCD from the rent received. The land was handed back to DCD by MMRDA in 2013.
Later, DCD had informed MMRDA in writing that an estimated gross budget of Rs 14 crore would be required to construct the centre, and asked them to begin the construction work.
"Since no progress was seen, during a meeting held with MMRDA officials, it was decided that the MMRDA would inform us on the action taken in this regard, which we haven't received yet," said a DCD officer.
An MMDRA official confirmed that there was such an agreement, and that there had been a delay.
"In March this year, the MMRDA Commissioner had held a review meeting on the issue with the engineering division and asked why there was delay in the construction work. The Commissioner had also directed them to complete the work in the given time frame. Though giving money to the DCD is a good option for the MMRDA, the Chief Minister had intervened in the matter and asked us to complete the construction instead," said an MMRDA official.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Andheri land")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}