Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has demanded an amount of Rs 12 crore for interior decoration of its offices, fire fighting system and dome beautification work. It is worthy to note that the new extension of the administration building was completed recently.
However, it came under scanner for the substandard quality of work and the roof leakage incident, which happened during the inauguration done by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
The Bhavan Department of PMC has tabled a proposal demanding Rs 12.50 crore for various internal works of the building. Currently, the civic body is using the General Body meeting hall to conduct monthly meetings.
The office bearers have not started using their office space, as the interior work has not yet been completed due to lack of funds. The civic body has already spent more than Rs 50 crore for construction and other related works, which include Rs 28 crore for the office furniture of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Opposition leader, Leader of the House and other political parties’ office and electrical work.
The administration wants to divert funds allocated for the lighthouse project (Rs 3 crore), street children welfare (Rs 7.50 crore), development work of Kailash crematorium (Rs 2 crore). On Monday, the Standing Committee will take a decision on the proposal of the Bhavan Department.
Leakage and minor changes
The new extension of the administration building was inaugurated on June 22, 2018 by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Leaking of the roof was noticed while the Vice President was giving his speech. Corporation had to put plastic buckets to collect the water leaking from the roof.
Opposition leaders criticised the Bhartiya Janata Party over the issue of incomplete building work.
After this incident, the administration gave show cause notices to contractors and they had appointed College of Engineering, Pune (CoEP) to conduct a structural audit. After the audit, CoEP suggested more than 100 minor changes.
The construction of the extension building started after lack of space in the existing Pune Municipal Corporation building was pointed out. It took three years to complete and the corporation spent Rs 50 crore on the building.
