NDMC focus on competing pending projects this budget

The Rs 2021-crore budget also spared the VVIPs areas of the capital a hike in property tax.

It announced the completion of some of its work, listed out new expected deadlines for a number of pending projects, including April for Connaught Place redevelopment, and also focused on a rehaul of old water pipelines and deep well hand pumps and upgradation of municipal markets.

According to budget estimates, the NDMC hopes to earn a revenue of Rs 2356.91 crore in the year 2013-14 while its revenue expenditure is put at Rs 2021.57 crore for the year.

"Improving the quality of civic services and generation of revenue are some of the challenges before us," said NDMC chairperson Archna Arora in her address.

The Connaught Place redevelopment project that started much before the Commonwealth Games is finally expected to end by March-April this year, according to a new estimate by the NDMC.

The CP plan has seen several revisions including slashing of the budget and the shelving of an underground parking and subway project.

"Earlier our project costs were Rs 674 crore but over time some plans were changed and now the budget stands at Rs 400 crore. Till now Rs 296 crores have been spent," Arora told reporters later, while expressing confidence that the project will finally be complete in another few months.

Also on the agenda of the NDMC this year is the completing of several road and parking projects. The NDMC has also proposed to take up 34 roads for resurfacing with micro surfacing treatment as per road-wise suitability as recommended by CRRI.

Presenting the budget before the Council, Arora said the work on laying concrete roads in Lodhi Colony, Sarojini Nagar and Bharti Nagar is expected to be complete this financial year while. (MORE)