Ahmedabad: The civic body’s roads and buildings committee on Wednesday deferred a proposal seeking a 26-month extension and additional funding for the delayed Danapith fire station-cum-multilevel parking project, demanding clear accountability for the project’s four-year hold-up.The project was initiated in 2020 after demolishing the old Danapith fire station structure, with active construction beginning in 2022. Though originally slated for completion within 24 months, the project remains incomplete due to design changes, tender revisions, and execution delays.Consequently, officials demanded that the deputy municipal commissioner or city engineer clarify the reasons for the delay and provide a definitive opinion on the extension.The latest delay follows recommendations from a two-member Unesco delegation that evaluated key development projects in the Walled City’s heritage buffer zone. The team suggested last-minute modifications to the building’s facade, including a green colour theme, to better complement the living heritage area.While a fresh proposal was submitted to extend the completion deadline to Nov 15, and compensate the contractor for increased design costs, committee members put the decision on hold.Committee chairman Jainik Vakil said, “The civic administration must provide a critical path method (CPM) breakdown to identify who caused the 26-month delay.” The committee has also sought an official evaluation from the state roads and buildings department regarding price escalation of raw materials like steel and cement. Instead of relying on the consultant’s opinion, it has directed the deputy municipal commissioner or city engineer to issue a formal opinion before any final decision is made.
