ZP Building Stalled: New Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ZP Body Denied New Office Over ₹10.4 Crore Funding Crunch

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad): The wait for a modern administrative headquarters for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Zilla Parishad (ZP) has just got longer. As the district gears up to welcome its newly elected body following the elections on February 7, a major administrative hurdle has dampened the celebratory mood.

According to senior officials, the new state-of-the-art "Green Building" of the ZP is unlikely to be ready for the new President, Vice-President, and Sabhapatis. The reason? A pending approval for ₹10.4 crore required for essential furniture and basic amenities.

The "Unusable" Green Building

While the civil construction of the multi-storey building is largely complete, the structure remains a "shell" without the necessary interiors.

• The Block: A proposal seeking ₹10.4 crore for furniture, fire safety systems, and other allied facilities was sent to the state government on July 9, 2025. However, seven months later, the approval is still awaited.

• Impact: Officials state that even if the funds were sanctioned today, it would take at least six months to complete the interior work, ruling out any possibility of the new body moving in immediately.

Cost Escalations and Delays

The project has been plagued by delays and cost revisions since its inception.

1. Initial Plan: The project was first approved in January 2021 with a budget of ₹47.3 crore.

2. Design Changes: The site was shifted closer to the old office, and due to "soft soil" conditions, the design underwent major changes. The number of departments was increased from 12 to 17, and lifts were doubled from two to four.

3. Revised Cost: These changes pushed the estimated cost to ₹97.4 crore. In September 2024, the government granted a revised administrative approval of ₹59.4 crore, but explicitly excluded furniture, internal roads, and solar systems from this amount.

CEO's Contingency Plan

With the election results around the corner (February 9) and the new office-bearers expected to take charge by the end of February, ZP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ankit has devised a "Plan B."

• Old is Gold: The General Body (GB) meetings will likely continue to be held in the old ZP building hall, which has a seating capacity of around 110 members.

• Using Cess Funds: CEO Ankit told The Times of India, "As a contingency plan, we can utilise the available cess funds (approx. ₹7 crore) to complete the General Body hall in the new building, provided we get the necessary consent."

Conclusion

For the newly elected representatives, the victory might be sweet, but the reality is stark. instead of stepping into a modern, eco-friendly office, they will have to govern from the cramped quarters of the old building, waiting for the government to release the funds needed to furnish their new home.