Bookings not many, GDA may seek private help to run community halls

GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is likely to shift to public-private partnership for running its 17 community halls in the city from the financial year 2019-2020. Officials said the decision had been taken in the light of low revenue generation from these halls due to lack of bookings.
A panel of three officials, which was formed to examine avenues of generating revenues from the community halls, had submitted its report to GDA vice-chairperson Kanchan Verma last week. Verma said the panel has recommended a new model whereby the GDA will manage bookings and revenues, a part of which will ultimately be shared with the respective private contractor of the community hall, through an online portal.

“Booking charges will be freezed as of prevalent rates in 2018-19. Local residents will be given priority for bookings. RWAs and AOAs might also be allowed to take over the contract of the community halls which will be handed out on short-term tenders. Most of the community halls have seen a dip in reservations in past few years,” added the GDA vice-chairperson.

According to the official, a pre-bid for the new model will be taken out later this month to examine recommendations and objections for the new system. Subsequently, the proposal will be approved by the board of GDA. Separate spaces within each community hall will be reserved for a library and indoor games.

“Use of the library and indoor games will be free of cost. We are considering the option of providing 20-25% rebate in bookings for those belonging to BPL and EWS sections of the society. The online system has been mooted to prevent manipulations, if any, by private contractors in bookings and reservations. The private contractors will be responsible for refurbishing and maintaining the community halls,” said Verma.