Trees to be felled for hi-tech flats for MPs

The proposed construction of a residential block for Rajya Sabha MPs will come at a price -- 23 full grown trees, mostly neems, will have to be felled for the multi-story building in the heart of the capital.

Coming up on a 6,000 sq m covered area at Talkatora Road, the block will have 14 modern multi-storey flats for Rajya Sabha MPs and 28 quarters for domestic helps, besides a health club with gym and other amenities.

Estimated to cost about Rs 20 crore (Rs 2 billion), each flat will have four bedrooms and two servant quarters.

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"This is for the first time that a full-fledged health club with gym and other modern facilities like hi-tech security system will be part of the eight-storey building meant for MPs," a senior urban development ministry official said.

There are about 23 trees, mostly neems, in the area which will be felled to make way for the flats.

However, the official said, "We will plant 10 times more than the number of trees to be cut as per the norm."

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About the mandatory permission from the environment ministry for cutting the trees, he said, "Since the covered area is only 6,000 sq metre, we need not seek environment clearance. We will seek Lieutenant-Governor's permission for it."

Keeping pace with the changing times, efforts are on to construct new houses with more functional area for MPs.

"The existing houses were constructed about 60-70 years ago and since then there has been a drastic change in the scenario. The requirement of a lawmaker has also changed," said the official, adding many MPs seek frequent alteration of housing units to suit their needs.

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The official said equipping the flats with digitally controlled security system is also being considered.

Aiming at addressing the housing shortage for MPs, the government has also decided to construct multi-storey flats at North Avenue and South Avenue.

The existing houses will be demolished in a phased manner and new flats will be constructed there to accommodate more MPs, the official said.