Conceived in 2010 to bring under one roof all the departments of Government’s three important Ministries — Rural Development, Water and Sanitation and Panchayati Raj, the Grameen Vikas Bhawan — is yet to see the light of the day.
The proposed 11-storeyed eco and disabled-friendly building at the Curzon Road is awaiting green signal from various important local bodies such as NDMC, Fire Department and the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC). The construction cost has been estimated at `180 crore by the CPWD.
To be spread over 14,356 sqm, the premises will also have general pool accommodation building apart from the Grameen Vikas Bhawan. The building is proposed to be completed within four years once it gets approval from the civic bodies. However, it has already got forest department and lBZ approval from the UD Ministry.
“Presently our various offices are situated at various places, some at really very far away locations. Once this bhawan comes up, all the departments under the three Ministries will be under one place for better management,” said a senior official from the Rural Development Ministry. Presently, departments are located in Nirman Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, CGO Complex and at Barakhambha Road besides other locations.
The RD Ministry has recently circulated a standing finance committee memorandum for approval of construction of the building at the Curzon Road. It is hoping to get requisite approvals within next six months and complete the construction in next four years.
Talking about its history, the official said that the barracks which were located on Curzon Road were constructed in pre-independence period on over plot of about 3.62 acres.
An old building has come up at the earmarked area which has to be demolished.
“Initially there were plans to be use the land for residential purpose for general pool office accommodation but later at the instance of the then Rural Development Minister, the plan was modified. The Minister was keen for construction of the Gramin Vikas Bhawan too to bring all the departments related to the development of rural India under one roof.
“The land use of the earmarked land has been changed recently from residential to the institutional category,” the official said.