Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is all set to leverage its prime land in Civil Lines housing its headquarters to generate revenue for the cash-strapped civic body, though construction of a new multi-storeyed tower. The New Administrative Building is proposed to replace the existing building housing Bank of Maharashtra Branch, in front of old Nagpur Municipal Corporation building at its headquarters. As of now, the civic bosses are of the view to go for a commercial-cum-office building which would encompass quite a big area in the campus, where FSI available for new structure would be quite ample. Given the prime location of the land that is identified for the development, NMC is thinking that atleast two to three floors should be offered for sale to private players while rest of the building would be utilised for the civic body staff.

 

Stating this, Alpana Patne, Executive Engineer, NMC, said, “Given the amount that would be required for new building, it could be between 10 to 12 storey, we have decided in principle to tap public private partnership (PPP) model for the big ticket project. The cost of the project could be in the range of Rs 50 to 60 crores and NMC does not want to bear the financial burden. So a private developer would be best option and post sale of commercial blocks, the revenue could be credited to the civic body.” Standing Committee Hall to be razed: Patne further said, the current Standing Committee auditorium is also contemplated to be demolished to make way for development of the entire stretch for the new building. However the width of the structure would be little less, about 10 feet space would need to be left from back compound wall, to ensure that load bearing structure can stand tall.

 

DPR: As of now, NMC is scouting for Project Management Consultant (PMC) to help with preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 2nd New Administrative Building, It is seeking preparation of drawings and also helping with securing all necessary statutory clearances from State Government for the construction project. Patne said the current state of the structure that houses the BoM branch is quite bad, and sometimes back a portion of its slab also came down. The structure is quite old, around 60 to 70 years, so by demolishing and joining the adjoining parking space plus the space of Standing Committee Hall to build the single mega structure.

 

The DPR would outline the nature of new structure, how many floors can be constructed based on the technical studies from investigation of solid strata at the spot. Given the congested nature of spot, an adjoining road to is nearby, a fresh survey, including that of traffic would needed to be carried out before outlining the design of new multistoreyed structure. The PMC would also help NMC with tending process and later also keep tab on the construction, as the civic body is short of required technical manpower. The DPR would provide an in-depth study of possibility of utilising the new building to the civic body officials.