01 February,2010 08:47 AM IST | | Surender Sharma
Delhi's tallest scyscraperu00a0-- the MCD civic centreu00a0-- will have the fastest elevators in north India
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) may not be that bothered about the civic amenities in your area but it is settling for nothing but the best for it upcoming office.
The civic body, which is presently housed in a Raj-era building in Chandni Chowk, will move to a new address in central Delhi at the intersection of Minto Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.u00a0
The MCD civic centre, which at 112 meters would be the tallest in Delhi, will have the fastest elevators in north India. A Swiss company has been contracted to supply the elevators.
A senior MCD official said for the five-block building, the MCD has bought a total of 43 elevators. "Among 43 elevators, 14 elevators are one first of its kind in north India. It will run with a speed of 3.5 meters per second," the official said.
These lifts will have a passenger carrying capacity of 20 people. "It can cross one floor every second," said the official.
According to the civic body, the building is expected to witness over 16,000 footfalls per day.u00a0 Out of 43 elevators, 28 elevators have been bought for a 28 storeys high section. "Another 14 elevators will run at 2.5 metres per second and carry 20 people," said the official.
The remaining 15 lifts will run at 1.5metres per second, the velocity at which common elevators travel.
The earthquake-resistant high-rise would be able to withstand temblors measuring up to 8.5 on the Richter scale. MCD officials associated with the project said that the portion to be used by civic body would be completed by April. However, he said the exact date of shifting has not been finalized as it would be an administrative decision.
The MCD has ordered modular furniture worth Rs 58 crore for its new office.
Name game
The ruling BJP wants to name the Civic Centre after Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. The Opposition Congress has written to the Union Home Minister and Lieutenant Governor, opposing the proposal.
The party wants the building to be named after Mahatma Gandhi.
| Delhi's skyscraper |
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The new MCD headquarters are being constructed at a cost of Rs.550 crore. It will be spread over 12 acres with an approximate height of 112 metres and will have four six-storey blocks, one 28-storey tower block in addition to services block, water treatment plant and sewage treatment plant and two helipads on the terrace of the tower block. Nearly 20 companies, including the Income Tax Department, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), LIC, SEBI, Delhi Tourism and some nationalised banks have shown keen interest to have their offices in the building. The MCD is expected to get Rs 200 crore per year as rent from the property. |
