Sourav Ganguly seeks Kolkata civic body’s nod to demolish Lower Rawdon Street bungalow

KOLKATA: Former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly has sought permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for demolition of the two-storied house on a 23.6-cottah plot that he had purchased on Lower Rawdon Street in May last year.

The handover of the Rs 40-crore property had become a talk of the town after Ganguly expressed his desire to shift to his new prime central Kolkata address from his Behala residence.

Eight months after the handover, Ganguly recently wrote to the director-general of the KMC buildings department, both intimating him about the demolition of the two-storied building and seeking approval for the same. Ganguly’s application was sent to Borough VIII executive engineer with a note to oversee that the demolition was being done in accordance with the rules.

“We have received an application from the owner of 8/1A Lower Rawdon Street for demolition of an existing building on a sprawling 23.6 cottah plot. We have no objections, but we need to oversee the demolition process to ensure that proper pollution guidelines are being followed during the demolition process,” said a KMC buildings department official.

The two-storied bungalow that Ganguly has purchased on 8/1A Lower Rawdon Street has a carpet area of around 10,000sqft and a sprawling lawn spread over 7,200-8,000sqft. The bungalow also has an outhouse, covered garage for cars and a paved driveway. A KMC buildings department official said they were awaiting a detailed building plan from the Ganguly family after the demolition.

According to the official, the property is at the end of a cul-de-sac and offers privacy to the resident even though it is located in a busy central Calcutta neighbourhood. Real estate observers believe the plot is ideal for a bungalow as the width of the road will limit vertical development.

A KMC official said if the width of the road was 6.75 m, then a G+4 storied building can be constructed. If the width is 9m or more, then a G+12 storied building can be built. If the road is wider, there is no height limit for construction of residential buildings.

At Lower Rawdon Street, a G+4 building can be constructed, an official said. “Let Ganguly submit building plan, we will scrutinize the same and extend all kinds of support according to civic rules. After all, the former Team India captain’s new address should be one of the landmarks,” said an official.

Though TOI tried to contact Ganguly, he neither received calls nor responded to WhatsApp messages.