No response to NMC redevelopment projects, Gadkari urges NIT to take over
Nagpur: In a blow to its asset monetisation plans, the
Nagpur Municipal Corporation
(NMC) failed to attract even a single bidder for the redevelopment of two prime properties — Sokhta Bhavan and
Cotton Market fire station
— despite repeated tendering efforts. Now, city MP and Union minister Nitin Gadkari has recommended that the
Nagpur Improvement Trust
(NIT) takes over the Cotton Market project to fast-track its revival.
In a bid to salvage the situation, NMC slashed the base price of Sokhta Bhavan project by 11% (from Rs144 crore to Rs128 crore), and is preparing to float fresh tenders to revive developer interest. Despite invitations issued on November 27, 2024, and again on January 10, 2025, the project — located on a sprawling 28,922sqm plot at Gandhibagh — received no response from developers. The plan envisions a G+14 multi-level commercial complex with a total built-up area of 3,48,617sqm. Consequently, NMC's high-level policy committee intervened and approved an 11% reduction in the base value to make the project more financially appealing. A fresh tender is now being readied by the project department.
The Sokhta Bhavan setback underlines the wider challenges NMC faces in its attempts to generate revenue through the redevelopment of old properties in high-value areas. Officials admitted developers found the project's earlier valuation unattractive, given the massive upfront investment, construction complexities, and the ongoing real estate sector slowdown. The repeated failures raised serious concerns about the civic body's dependency on private players to infuse new life into ageing city properties.
NMC faced a similar situation in its Cotton Market fire station (Ganeshpeth) redevelopment project — pitched as the city's first integrated fire station-commercial complex. The Rs62 crore plan, spread over 2,589.7sqm, proposes a ground-floor fire station, administrative offices on the first floor, and a commercial complex across six upper floors to rehabilitate 30 displaced shopkeepers. Yet, here too, no bids were received.
On April 19, Gadkari stepped in, suggesting the NMC hand over such critical redevelopment projects to NIT, hinting at the civic body's struggle to deliver. Both projects were structured under the design, build, finance, operate, and sale (DBFOS) model, with a commercial rate of Rs14,051 per sqm.
While the Sokhta Bhavan proposal included two basement levels for parking to ease congestion in Gandhibagh, concerns surfaced about the reduced space for fire tenders — from four bays to just three — leading to a review by the NMC fire department.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No ring road till 40km highway done: Centre
Panaji: Nine years after the four- and six-laning of highways in Goa first started in 2016, 40km of expansion is yet to start. On CM Pramod Sawant 's request, Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari had approved a Rs 15,000 crore ring road project for Goa. However, ministry officials have now told Goa it can't go ahead with this project until the remaining 40km of highway work is done. The purpose of the ring road project is to allow heavy vehicles moving from one state to another through Goa to continue their journey without adding to traffic congestion in the state. It was approved by Gadkari in Dec 2022, but it later came to the notice of ministry officials that the 40km of highway work is yet to be completed. 'There is no deadline as such for completing the highway expansion works in Goa. The work began around Oct 2016. The expansion was as per the study carried out to accommodate the projected traffic up to 2030. In 2025, Goa still has stretches along Cuncolim, Canacona, Bhoma, and Ponda which are either yet to be taken up, or construction is yet to begin,' said a source. By 2030, another assessment will be due vehicle density in Goa, which will allow planning for further expansion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo 'Goa has received harsh comments in a letter from the ministry now, stating that it can take up the ring road project work only after its balance highway expansion is completed,' said the source. Officials said that highway expansion work in Goa was hit due to delay in land acquisition, public protests against the work because of various reasons and demands for elevated corridors, and other changes in the project scope. 'In the initial period itself, when highway expansion was taken up, the ministry pointed out in its audit that land acquisition delays was hitting the work very badly, and that work was taken up without acquiring at least 90% of the right of way area, as required by the ministry. It was then decided by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar to start work wherever land was available, till other parts were acquired. Contractors also take advantage of the lapses of PWD as they get advantage of project cost escalation if work is delayed,' said the source.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Tender process completed for M'luru-B'luru high-speed corridor: MP
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said that the tender process for the proposed Mangaluru-Bengaluru High-Speed Express Corridor was completed by the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), and the work to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) will commence soon. Providing information about the high-speed corridor project, Chowta said that a letter was received from Union minister Nitin Gadkari regarding the construction of the fastest road corridor between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. A contract for preparing the detailed project report for this project was awarded on April 30, and it is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete the DPR, he said. "The ambitious project, which is crucial for comprehensive development, including commercial activities in Dakshina Kannada, including Mangaluru, has taken a significant step forward under the govt of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This high-speed expressway is expected to have four to eight lanes and will pass through Hassan. Once constructed, the highway will enhance the transportation infrastructure between the two major cities. The improved route will reduce traffic congestion and significantly cut down travel time between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, providing a safe, efficient, and all-weather connectivity between major cities in Karnataka," the MP said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo The project will aid in the development of not just Mangaluru, but also south Karnataka and surrounding cities. It will further benefit the growth of Mangaluru's port, tourism, and commercial activities, he said. "Over the past year, I was continuously working on the implementation of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru High-Speed Corridor project, meeting several times with Union minister Nitin Gadkari, home minister Amit Shah, the secretary of the MoRTH, Umashankar, and the chief secretary of the state, Shalini Rajneesh, among other officials and ministers. Efforts and follow-ups are being made in all possible ways to realise this project. Overall, if this major expressway in Karnataka becomes a reality, the travel time between Bengaluru and Mangaluru is expected to be significantly reduced from the current 7-8 hours. Additionally, if all stages of the project proceed as anticipated, construction of the expressway is likely to commence soon," the MP said. Further, the MP said the railway ministry is also preparing to draft a DPR for a separate rail route on the Shiradi Ghat stretch. "Since Shiradi Ghat is in a sensitive ecological zone of the Western Ghats, a request was made to form a joint committee of the Railway Board and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to explore the possibilities of developing road and rail routes in parallel. An integrated plan will facilitate approval from the forest and environmental departments," he added.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates OPG Mobility's Dealership In Nagpur
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has inaugurated OPG Mobility's new Ferrato dealership in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The new electric two-wheeler showroom is part of the company's expansion plan to contribute to increasing electric vehicle adoption in central India. It is to be noted that the dealership is operated by Vajra E Scooter. The opening of the dealership represents a key milestone for OPG Mobility, previously known as Okaya EV, as it establishes a footprint in the central region of Maharashtra. This facility unifies both sales and service operations, providing customers with thorough support for their electric vehicle ownership experience. The newly launched showroom showcases the entire range of Ferrato electric two-wheelers, featuring high-speed models like DEFY 22, Faast F4, F3, F2T, F2F, and F2B, as well as low-speed options including Freedum LI and LA, along with the premium Disruptor electric motorcycle. This product assortment caters to a variety of customer needs across different usage styles and price ranges. Commenting on the New Dealership launch, OM Prakash Gupta, Founder of OPG Mobility, expressed "We are truly privileged to have Shri Nitin Gadkari ji grace the inauguration of our new Ferrato two-wheeler dealership in Nagpur, Maharashtra. His presence highlights the importance of sustainable mobility and strengthens our commitment to delivering innovative, reliable EV solutions supported by a customer-focused service network. This dealership launch is a pivotal milestone that solidifies our foothold in central India and strategically positions us for expansion into western as well as southern markets. He adds, "Shri Nitin Gadkari ji's visionary leadership in sustainable infrastructure and green mobility continues to inspire the entire industry. His support at this launch amplifies our mission to drive widespread adoption of electric vehicles, contributing significantly to India's journey towards a greener, more sustainable future."
