SDMC will lease out 23 community halls to pvt entities

NEW DELHI: To increase its revenue collection, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has finalised its project to lease out selected community buildings to private entities for running community services.

The Community Service Department (CSD) has prepared a list of 23 community buildings and the resolution will be moved in the standing committee soon.

South Corporation has 96 community halls divided into five categories depending on the facilities they provide and their locations. The prices differ accordingly. These community halls can cater to a gathering of 150-500 people at a time when rented out for social gatherings.

However, according to CSD members, community halls, which are small in size or located in the outskirts are usually not preferred for weddings.

“The 23 buildings we have identified so far are not booked for even five days in a year thereby causing financial loss to the civic agency. These are located in areas such as Madipur, Dwarka (sector 17), Bindapur and areas in West Delhi. Their maintenance also becomes an issue over the period of time,” said Kamaljeet Sehrawat, mayor SDMC.

“The department had spent a huge amount of money on their construction but these centres have failed to generate a single penny due to the lack of bookings. We have even received complaints about many of them lying in dilapidated state due to lack of maintenance,” said Sehrawat.