Delhi’s new civic centre has poor connectivity

NEW DELHI - The 28-storey brand new headquarters of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is virtually cut off from the rest of the world as it has poor mobile phone and internet connectivity, hampering the civic agency’s operations.

Situated on Vivekanand Marg, formerly Minto Road, the building was constructed at a cost of Rs.650 crore.

All the major departments of the MCD have been shifted to the new centre from its earlier Town Hall office in Chandni Chowk, but many officials complain that the major part of the building has poor connectivity.

“There is no mobile phone connectivity after the fifth floor. It is really getting difficult to move up and down the building to make calls,” a senior MCD official said, requesting anonymity.

Many corporation officials say inadequate internet connection is delaying their work.

Except the deliberative wing, which includes top officials like the mayor, all other departments have shifted to the new civic centre.

“At times, we send our staff to Town Hall (the previous headquarters) for collecting papers and important documents,” an official said.

When IANS contacted chairman of the works committee Jagdish Mamgain, he said: “We have received complaints from many corporation staff. We are looking out for solutions. We are trying to install a mobile tower on top of the civic centre. Our engineering department is taking some corrective measures to solve the internet problem.”

The new civic centre is the tallest building in Delhi. Named after Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, it is 112 metre high, compared to the 72.5-metre high Qutab Minar.

Built on over 12 acres land, the complex has eight escalators, a 1,000-seat auditorium, an art gallery and a restaurant.