MCD makes fresh efforts to redevelop six old staff quarters in Delhi

New Delhi: In a fresh bid to redevelop six of its ageing staff housing colonies, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has brought the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) on board as a potential partner for the project. The properties identified for redevelopment are located at Minto Road, New Usmanpur, Kamla Nagar, Azadpur, Dhaka Colony and Model Town.

Constructed over 50 years ago, these sites currently serve as staff quarters for MCD employees but have become dilapidated. According to officials, the civic body lacks the funds to undertake the redevelopment independently. A previous attempt to seek support from HUDCO last year failed to progress.

"Right now, things are in the nascent stage, but we've had several meetings with NBCC representatives, and they have shown interest in partnering on the redevelopment project," an MCD official said.

"Once the proposal is prepared, it will be placed before the Standing Committee for approval. NBCC has delivered several infrastructure projects in Delhi, and their involvement would certainly give a boost to our long-pending redevelopment plans," the official added.

As per the current plan, the sites will be redeveloped into residential complexes, with provisions for commercial spaces in line with the Master Plan of Delhi 2021. Officials believe the project would not only rejuvenate the crumbling structures but also generate additional revenue for the civic body by better utilising the land.

No official comment has yet been received from NBCC. However, sources confirmed that discussions are underway and a formal proposal is expected soon.

MCD has been trying to redevelop these sites for nearly 15 years, with little success. A proposal to renovate the Minto Road municipal flats was last presented to the house in March 2024 but was deferred. The complex, built in the 1950s, consists of 41 single-storey staff quarters spread over 14,123 square metres. Of these, 19 are occupied, while 22 lie vacant due to their poor condition.

Originally constructed in the 1940s (Type-2 to Type-5 quarters), these buildings have deteriorated over time. The MCD 2024 blueprint proposes their demolition to make way for five nine-storey towers at a projected cost of Rs 21.4 crore. The architecture division has drawn up an initial design that utilises approximately 13,500 square metres of the plot. Each tower is proposed to be 32.7 metres tall, including a 3-metre stilt floor.

Previous efforts by the former North MCD in 2018–19 to convert the Minto Road quarters into office accommodation were shelved due to technical issues and lack of funds.

For the current proposal, MCD has already received land use modification approval from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Originally designated as a district park under Delhi's zonal development plan, the Minto Road site was transferred from NDMC to MCD in 1958.

At Kamla Nagar's Bunglow Road, double-storey staff quarters were constructed decades ago on 12,640 square metres. These have now deteriorated, and officials are looking to replace them with modern commercial complexes. "With this, we aim to better utilise the space," the official added.

Dhaka Colony, located opposite Dhaka Village in Mukherjee Nagar, is one of MCD's oldest residential sites. The two-storey blocks, G and H, are in urgent need of major repairs and are also slated for redevelopment.