Transport body gets eviction notice over ₹21 crore rental dues
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Integrated Multi-modal Transit System Ltd. (DIMTS), Delhi government’s consultant for all major transport projects, including induction of 1,000 electric buses, has been asked to vacate its office from the Kashmere Gate ISBT building for not fully paying its rent for over two years.
An eviction notice to the company, in which Delhi government has 49% stake, and the private firm 51%, was sent by the stateowned Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DTIDC) on February 12. DTIDC owns the building that operates as an inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) apart from housing many government offices.
“Please refer to a number of letters written to you since June 2016, repeatedly requesting you to make payment of rent. It is a matter of fact that despite various letters, the payment of rent has not been made completely and only part payment was made… DIMTS is the only organisation at ISBT against which huge arrears of ₹ 21.63 crore has accumulated as on December 31, 2018,” read the eviction letter.
DTIDC gave the company a “last opportunity” to make the payment and leave the ISBT premises by March 3, failing which it said “necessary action, including discontinuation of electricity and water facility”, will be taken.
DIMTS called DTIDC’S demand unfair. “We have been paying our rent every month. We have been increasing our rent 5% annually. But what can we do if DTIDC arbitrarily increases rates? At present, we are paying ₹62 per square feet against their demand of ₹190 per sq ft,” said IS Rekhi, spokesperson of DIMTS.
The transport department, which controls DTIDC, said the rate of ₹190 per sq ft was enforced from January. “DIMTS has not been paying the old rate of ₹107 per sq ft, which was implemented in 2016. It still pays ₹62 per sq ft, which is unfair to other organisations that are paying us full rent,” said a senior transport department official.