Nearly 200 people, who have invested in bungalows at the Kolkata West International City, staged a demonstration outside the office of Kolkata West International City Private Limited (KWICPL) on Thursday, alleging they have been cheated.

The first phase of the proposed township beside the National Highway 6, near the Kona Expressway crossing in Howrah, has run into rough weather after the developers failed to meet deadlines for handing over the bungalows. Over 907 bungalows are supposed to be built in this phase. The project is supposed to come up on 400-plus acres.

Metro was present during the demonstration and spoke to the protesters as well as the developers.

The charges

Slow progress of work: Investors alleged that the developers have taken 80 per cent of the money, but very little work has progressed. “According to the agreement we signed, we were supposed to pay them 10 per cent of the total amount every three months,” said Abhay Upadhyay, who signed a deal in mid-2006. “I paid the eighth instalment in July 2008. But till date, only the foundation of my house has been laid,” he added. Upadhyay has paid Rs 21,28,000 of the Rs 26,60,000 he is supposed to pay.

KWICPL voice: Prasun Sengupta, the CEO of NKID (New Kolkata International Development), a holding company of KWICPL, cited a host of reasons for the delay.

“The extensive infrastructure that was required before we could start construction — such as building sewer lines, a sewerage treatment plant for the entire area, extensive land filling and building internal roads — took some time,” he said. “The approval of building plans and building completion approvals were delayed in several cases.”

Another official said the company had got lease for only 160 acres. “According to our plan, the hospital and schools do not fall under this area, and so there is a problem.”

Missed deadlines: The builders have already missed several deadlines, which has left investors wary. The buyers fear they may end up losing the entire amount they have paid.

Software professional Tarun Bhattacharya said he wasn’t sure whether he’d ever get possession of his dream bungalow. “When I made the first payment in mid-2007, they promised to give me possession by July 2009. There was a grace period of six months according to the agreement,” said Bhattacharya.

When he got in touch with KWICPL at their office in Chowringhee Mansion after May 2010, a fresh deadline of December 2010 was issued. “They promised to hand over the finished bungalow in December 2010. The second deadline, too, was missed and a third deadline — July 2011 — was set. Now, they have again come up with a new deadline: December 2013,” said Bhattacharya.

KWICPL voice: Sengupta admitted to the delays. “We have given a revised schedule pursuant to a meeting with representatives of the owners. We have agreed to consider compensation higher than what had been in the contract, should we fail to meet these deadlines,” said Sengupta.

No infrastructure: The buyers alleged that only 12 of the 159 families that have been handed possession of their bungalows are staying in the township, as it lacks even basic infrastructure.

“There are no shops for our daily needs. Paved roads have been made only in front of 70 bungalows. The rest have to enter their houses through kuchcha roads, on which cars can hardly move,” said Upadhyay, a member of the Kolkata West Owners Welfare Association.

KWICPL voice: Proper roads have been built for the 159 bungalows that have been handed over, Sengupta said.

About the unavailability of shops, he said: “We have constructed a shopping complex, but are yet to receive approvals; it is pending for over 10 months. We have been assured of the approvals shortly.”