Noida: Noida Authority’s main administrative building in Sector 96 is nearly ready and is set to be inaugurated next month. Officials said construction has been completed and air-conditioning systems are being tested, while workers are giving the final touches to the greenbelt outside. The Rs 390-crore project began in 2016 but was delayed by the Covid lockdown and the blacklisting of the original contractor.Once the new building opens, all departments will function under one roof. The complex’s proximity to the Noida Expressway also provides good connectivity to different sectors and neighbouring areas.Currently, offices of the various departments and work circles are scattered across multiple sectors – the main administrative office is in Sector 6, the horticulture department in Sector 39, and other offices in Sector 19 and Sector 20.“Construction work finished and air-conditioning systems are currently being tested. We also got furniture for the new office. We expect the building to be inaugurated next month, after which departments will gradually shift to the new office,” said SP Singh, general manager, Noida Authority.A visit to the spot on Sunday showed that finishing touches are being done for the greenbelt outside the office.Construction first began on Jan 5, 2016, with the initial completion deadline set for Jan 2, 2019. However, the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the contractor defaulting. When the original contractor failed to complete the work, the contract was terminated and the firm was blacklisted in May 2022. Fresh tenders were floated and a new contractor was subsequently awarded the remaining civil work in Oct 2022 .While the project was delayed, the Authority ordered a structural safety audit by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. In the Dec 2024 report, IIT-D flagged weaknesses in structural elements such as walls, beams and pillars, and recommended remedial measures. Officials said the suggested changes have since been carried out to strengthen the building.While the project was initially designed to have two towers with 18 and 9 floors, the design was later revised so that the towers would have four and eight floors. The revised designs brought the project costs down from the initial estimate of Rs 478 crore to Rs 390 crore.Residents welcomed the project and said they hoped it would be completed soon.“Many residents from sectors and villages visit the Noida Authority for different work. However, the Authority’s main office is currently in Sector 6, the horticulture department in Sector 39, and the water department functions from Sector 5. Once the new office starts functioning, it will immensely help people,” said KK Jain, general secretary of Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA).The present administrative office in Sector 6 is also relatively small and has no parking space. Visitors often park their cars and bikes on the roadside, which leads to congestion in the area.
