Lok Sabha Question No. 3198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Construction of GSI Building at Kolkata
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3198

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF GSI BUILDING AT KOLKATA

3198. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is significant delay in the construction of the 10-story state-of-the-art building of Geological Survey of India (GSI) at Sector V, Kolkata, which was originally

scheduled for completion in April 2022 and if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether the delays are due to financial, administrative or technical challenges and if so, the steps being taken to expedite the project; (c) whether there has been a cost escalation due to the delay and if so, the revised estimated cost for the project; and

- (d) whether any accountability measures have been implemented for the delay and if so, specific actions taken to ensure timely completion thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The approval for construction of the 10-story state-of-the-art building of Geological Survey of India (GSI) at Sector V, Kolkata was accorded by Ministry of Mines in April 2019 with a completion period of 30 months. The preliminary survey, soil testing, site clearance, land conversion, tendering for engaging construction firms etc. was initiated by CPWD in May, 2019. The work was awarded by CPWD, Kolkata to the construction company  in  March,  2020  with  a  stipulated  time  of  completion  by  February,  2023. However, owing to COVID 2019 pandemic, the project was kept in abeyance from May, 2020 to April, 2021 as per the direction of Ministry of Mines.

The building premise was handed over to CPWD in April, 2021 to start the construction related activities. The construction work was initiated by the construction company and the requisite Fire NOC from West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services was  obtained  in  November,  2021.  Further,  NOC  for  height  clearance  from  Airport Authority of India was also obtained in December, 2021. The approval for change of land use from Govt. of West Bengal was obtained in May, 2022. The Building plan approval from the local body was obtained in April, 2023. However, construction work was stopped from July, 2023 to February, 2024 for want of Environmental Clearance which was received in January, 2024 from the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of West Bengal, and subsequently Consent to Establish from West Bengal Pollution Control Board was received in February, 2024. (b): After receiving all the clearances by CPWD, the construction for state-of-the-art building  of  GSI  at  Sector-V,  Kolkata  is  progressing  as  per  revised  schedule.  For expediting and reviewing the project work, GSI has set up a monitoring committee to review the progress on a regular basis. (c): No. The CPWD has not reported any cost escalation for the project. (d): As mentioned at (a) above, the delay was mainly due to administrative reasons for obtaining approvals from various concerned authorities. The progress of the project is regularly monitored and reviewed by a Monitoring Committee of GSI for expeditious

completion of the project.

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