City Beat: Ministry Of Urban Development Inks Pact To Redevelop 7 Govt Staff Colonies In Delhi [Video]

With a plan to redevelop seven general pool residential accommodation (GPRA) colonies in Delhi, the urban development ministry has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). According to the pact, the NBCC will redevelop government colonies in Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar while the CPWD will redevelop Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur. Under the project, which may take five years to complete and is estimated to cost Rs 32,835 crore, 12,970 existing houses will give way to as many as 25,667 apartments. These new structures will be supported by strong social infrastructure facilities.
 
In order to seek permission to construct a bridge across the Yamuna in Delhi, the National Highways Authority of India has moved the National Green Tribunal. Once constructed, the bridge, along with its approach roads, will connect the national capital directly to Meerut, thus, bringing down the travel time from three hours at present to 45 minutes. The green bench has sought a response from the ministries of Environment and Forests and Urban Development on the issue.
 
Now for some good news for Gurgaon residents. The Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) has come into being on papers. According to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the state government will post the draft of the legislation for proposed development authority on its website and invite suggestions from the public till December 10 after which the final draft would be prepared. While the GDA has come into being this Tuesday, the authority is expected to start functioning early next year.
 
But people who are living or working close to the city's Golf Course Road will have to wait a little longer before the work on the expansion of the signal-free expressway gets over. While 85 per cent work is complete, DLF and Huda are hopeful to complete the remaining work by March next year. This is the second time the project has missed its deadline.