Vasai: Despite the passage of a year, the inauguration of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s new headquarters is nowhere in sight. Consequently, the furniture and literature at the current headquarters are now showing signs of wear and tear. The demand to swiftly shift operations to the newly constructed building has gained momentum, urging authorities to expedite the relocation process. The establishment of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation dates back to 2009, with four municipal councils coming together under its umbrella. However, even after 14 years of its establishment, the new headquarters is yet to be operational.
Meanwhile, the transformation of the Western Transport Building in Virar into the headquarters is already underway. The first two floors of the headquarters have been prepared in the transportation building, and the construction of the main headquarters spanning from the 3rd to the 7th floor has been completed. However, despite the physical completion, the commencement of operations at the new headquarters is still pending. As a result, the existing furniture and other office supplies are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, prompting a growing demand for a quick transition to the new location.
Current Office Challenges
The present headquarters of the corporation is situated in the Virar Municipal Council building. However, the available space is limited, leading to the creation of smaller departments within the building. This partitioning has resulted in challenges for citizens accessing essential documents, hindering their ability to interact with the municipal office efficiently. At times, citizens are compelled to navigate through crowded spaces, creating a less-than-ideal environment for conducting official business. Additionally, during the rainy season, water leakage issues from the roof further exacerbate the difficulties faced by citizens.
Historical Significance of the Headquarters Location
The original plan for the municipal corporation’s headquarters was to construct it in the Bolinj area of Virar West. In 2017, the corporation decided to allocate ten acres of prime land in Virat Nagar for the construction, ensuring a spacious area of six lakh square meters. The then Chief Minister, Vishnu Savara, and Special Executive Officer Chintaman Vanaga conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new headquarters in 2017. The estimated cost for the construction of this state-of-the-art headquarters was a staggering 300 crore rupees. The proposed building was designed to include a theater, art gallery, museum, banquet hall for weddings, conference hall, and more. It was also planned to have three-star hotels constructed nearby, completing the entire project within three years. The corporation unveiled the blueprint for the new headquarters in its 2018 calendar, but the actual relocation is yet to take place.
In conclusion, the delay in shifting to the new municipal headquarters poses a significant challenge for Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. The wear and tear on the current infrastructure, coupled with the difficulties faced by citizens accessing services, highlight the urgency of completing the transition. The historical significance of the proposed headquarters adds to the anticipation of a modern, well-equipped municipal facility that caters to the growing needs of the Vasai-Virar region. It remains to be seen when the doors of the new headquarters will finally open to the public.
