The deadline for the DDA’s Vasant Kunj flats project, which was to be developed for accommodating delegates and mediapersons, besides tourists, has been pushed back from August 31 to September 10. The authorities concerned are trying to tide over severe shortage of labour.
According to official sources in the office of the Delhi lieutenant governor, the project is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. “At least 11 new private players have been roped in to complete the remaining flats and the deadline is September 10,” said the official, adding that the two private players, who had been doing the work so far have not backed out.
The work at the Pocket D-6 in Vasant Kunj was proving a little too much for the two players, sources said. They added that while one of the players was working on only 22 towers out of the 30 given to him, the other was re-developing just two out of the 11 given to him. “It was, therefore, decided to rope in more players and at least 11 new private firms began working on Monday,” said the official.
The major labour problem on this project, officials claim, has been on account of the work force leaving for their native places in Bihar as it is the harvesting season for the rabi crop. “Also, with lures like NREGA and the fact that so many projects are going on across the city, there was scarcity of labourers which made the matters worse,” said the official. However, the delayed completion of the project is likely to make the task of the Indian Tourism Development Corporation more difficult.