North Delhi civic body plans to lease out commercial plots for revenue

NEW DELHI: North Delhi Municipal Corporation has proposed to auction a commercial complex
in Azadpur and a commercial plot in the Karampura commercial complex on a leasehold basis
for 99 years.
According to the corporation, the 481-square-metre Naniwala Bagh commercial complex in
Azadpur, with different sizes of plots, has been lying vacant for years. The civic body hopes to
lease it out to a bidder for approximately Rs 12.2 crore.
The plot in Moti Nagar’s Karampura complex is likely to be leased out to a pharma company for
close to Rs 6.4 crore. The corporation has been trying to auction off this plot since 2017, but
received two bids only this July. Recently, the corporation auctioned off another commercial plot
in the same complex.
Keeping in mind the financial condition of the corporation, the proposals have been sent to the
standing committee for approval. “The proposals will be under consideration at the next meeting
of the committee,” said Jogi Ram Jain, its chairman.
The corporation also wants to lease out 18 shops on Asaf Ali Road opposite Delite Cinema at
20% lower than the minimum reserve price. On the table for the past four years, the standing
committee has sent the proposal back for further deliberation.
The north corporation, which is cash-starved to even pay its staff on time, has been making bids
to lease out public properties to boost its revenues. Aam Aadmi Party has accused the
corporation several times of “selling” public properties.