Kolkata West International City - We demand justice

Startling Facts Relating to Kolkatawest International City Township
• The Project was inaugurated by Shri Budhadeb Bhattacharjee on 15th Feb’2006. Government of West Bengal through KMDA has already given possession of 160 acres of Land at subsidized rate, though project is coming up initially as phase-I on only 80 acres. The entire Township was planned in 390 acres.

• In phase-I , 900 (approx) Row House / Bungalows were planned to be constructed by Nov’2008 , along with many Parks , Daily need shops , Club etc etc. The plan to construct club has been deferred.

• In last more than 5 years , out of 800+ Bungalows sold , only about 169 Bungalows are fully complete but without any basic amenities like Roads , Parks , shops for daily requirement etc.

• By Simple Arithmetic , with this pace of work , the phase-I comprising of 80 acres will be completed in 25 years in place of 2.5 years and there will be delay of whopping 22.5 years if at all construction starts.

• Since, 21st Sept’2010, we have had 3 rounds of meeting with Top management of KWIC with no result. Inspite of our regular follow-up and pressure, KWIC has neither resumed construction activity till date nor given us any compensation. All the dates given by KWIC for giving handover has only proved to be a hollow promise including the recent date wherein they set June’2011 as the date for completing handover for all the incomplete Bungalows in Cluster A but now they have started giving fresh date of Mar’2012.

• Inspite of the fact that possession letter has been issued to 169 unit owners , only 12 families under compulsion have started staying there because basic infrastructure like proper Roads , Parks , Daily need shops etc is not in place.

• Many people have preferred to move Consumer Forum for getting redressal of their grievances like 8-12 % increase in Built up area resulting in increase in cost ranging from 3-7 lacs, Lack of basic Infrastructure facility , huge maintenance charges @ Rs 1.76 per sq ft. payable in advance for 2 years, No club , Levying of Holding charges etc etc.

• In spite of knowing fully well that the project is way behind the original schedule for completion, KWIC went on raising Demand Notices and collected 80% payment from most of the buyers by the month of July’2008 amounting to Few Hundred crores of Rupees.

• Inspite of huge delay in project , KWIC management has completely stopped construction work for last 1.5 years ( approx) and they are showing no urgency to complete the project, rather their attitude is laidback and insensitive.

• The contract discriminates as unit owners will get compensation at the prevailing savings bank interest rate of SBI i.e. 3.5% approx that too adjustable against the invoice raised at the time of possession whereas KWIC charges 18% interest on delayed payment of installment if any.
• We have also come to know that approx 90 acres of land had been planned to be transferred to Unitech. It needs to be investigated how KMDA has given permission for same.

Our demands:
1) Provide upfront/immediate compensation to all homeowners where Units are not ready OR
2) Return the funds to home owners according to % completed - for example if 90% money has been taken and only 10% Unit completed then return 80% of the funds now. Contract would remain the same, however, future payments would be linked to construction progress