Public Works Department (PWD) has informed Delhi High Court that repair and renovation of police officers' flats in South West Delhi is likely to be completed by March 31.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher was told about the status of the work done after the court on January 8 had asked PWD to inform it about the time within which the work would be completed.
"Over 50 percent of the repair work has been done. The remaining would be concluded by March end," PWD said.
The court, which fixed the matter for April 21, however, asked the authorities concerned, including Secretary PWD, to ensure that repairs and renovations are completed by next date of hearing.
Earlier, when a committee set up to monitor and expedite the progress of the repair and renovation work had informed that only 25 percent of the work has been completed, the court had observed, "it is clear that work is progressing at snail's pace as only 25 per cent work has been completed. ... How will these officers work efficiently if not given proper accommodation."
As the lawyer for PWD could not explain the reason for delay in completing the work, the court had directed the civic agency to file an affidavit indicating the time frame within which the repair and renovation would be finished.
Earlier, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the Delhi Police Commissioner, had said that an amount of Rs 3.99 crore has been sanctioned for the work and of that Rs 1.5 crore was paid on January 6, 2015.
Luthra had also said that while housing for police officers exists in patches here and there in the national capital, there was a proposal to develop an area in North Delhi for this purpose which would probably meet the entire housing needs.
Advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for police officers who have moved the court over the dilapidated state of the flats allotted to them, had said that repair work has not been completed with respect to even a single accommodation.
The petition, by Constable Dashrath and some others, has alleged that flats given to Delhi Police officers at Dwarka, Sector 13, Phase-I and Phase-II, New Delhi in Type B (II) were dilapidated.
