Rs 334 cr will turn Beggars Home into swanky,sprawling complex

The developer will pump Rs 334 crore into the project for rebuilding existing structures and constructing new ones. In return,the developer will get to construct 68,000 square metres of residential and commercial space on a quarter (10 acres) of the total land. This land will be given to the developer on a lease for 99 years. The developer stands to make a profit of Rs 100 crore through the built-up area alone.

The Beggars Home complex has rows of small barracks built half a century ago. The home was established under the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act,1959,that makes begging in public places a punishable offence. Today,the barracks are in a state of extreme neglect and disrepair. It serves as a temporary home for 200 male and female beggars rounded up by the police and brought to the home to be reformed and imparted vocational training.

Also scattered around the complex are the Navjeevan Home for rescued commercial sex workers,the Kasturba Home for destitute women,an aanganwadi for children of inmates,two separate hostels for boys and girls,a dispensary and the staff quarters. Most part of the sprawling complex is filled with greenery.

According to the plan designed by the chief architect of the Public Works Department,the developer will raze the existing structures and construct a beggars home for 850 male and 550 female inhabitants and rebuild the Kasturba Home and working women’s hostel so that each can accommodate 100 women. A residential school for 100 street children,an orphanage for 200 children and the staff quarters will also be built.

The developer will also have to construct an air conditioned auditorium with a capacity of 1,000,an Industrial Training Institute,a parking lot for 2,000 vehicles,a guesthouse for 60 government officials and a 14-storey administrative building.

“With a built-up area of 8.5 lakh square feet,the administrative building will be much bigger than even the Mantralaya. It will accommodate the administrative offices now spread across the city. As per our calculations,we will end up saving up to Rs 10 crore per month,the money spent on renting the offices at present,” said Bipin Sankhe,chief architect,PWD. The project is expected to be completed over the next two years.