Civic body will get a swanky HQ by Feb

The state-of-the-art structure will reflect city’s growth, say civic officials; will also house a sewage treatment plant and sub-station

The civic body is all set to get a swanky new office by February next year, almost five years after the construction commenced. Once ready, the state-ofthe-art headquarters of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will be a landmark for the city, said civic officials.

“We have not compromised on any aspect of the building. The structural work has been done such that there are no complaints in the years to come. The interiors, too, are of world-class quality,” said Mohan Dagaonkar, city engineer.

The building, which is located on Palm Beach Road, will be the pride of the city and will reflect the growth and progress of the city, said the official. “Planners will not have to worry about another office for years to come,” said Dagaonkar.

The building has been designed to depict both the traditional and the modern, keeping in view the history of the city. While the first three floors will have a natural stone cladding, the floors above will have a glazed cladding.

The six-storey building with a dome is built on a 20,000 sq m plot in sector 15A, CBD Belapur. The construction will cost the civic body around Rs150 crore.

“The toilets, fire-fighting provisions and electrical ducts are already in place. The plan for the modular office is ready and will be in place soon,” said Dagaonkar.

The work for the sewage treatment plant, 33 kv sub-station work to ensure uninterrupted power supply and landscaping have also started. While work on the two smaller domes has been complete, the main dome is still being constructed. Dagaonkar, who has been reviewing the work on a weekly basis, said, “There were a number of challenges, including the large dome.”

“I am satisfied with the progress of work. Built at Rs4,000 a sq ft, this state-of-the-art building is being much cheaper cost than the Cidco exhibition centre,” said Thane guardian minister Ganesh Naik.

“Although the delay in construction increased the cost from Rs40 crore to Rs150 crore, I have been told that the work will be completed soon,” said Naik, adding that the delay was because there were people who had levelled charges of corruption against the civic body.