Bhubaneswar: Construction of the multi-storey office building at Unit-V is nearing completion and the general administration department has started identifying offices and interested departments to be accommodated in the new facility.

The general administration department has intimated all state government departments asking them to apply with required details for allotment of space in the new building. The department will scrutinise the applications followed which chief secretary will hold a meeting and release the final list of prospective occupants.

Sources said the home department was the first to evince interest. The home department now functions from the secretariat.

"We have prepared an application format and asked the government departments to apply by January 20," said an official of the general administration department, adding that in the application, the departments would authorise one officer each to apply on its behalf with details related to the present place of functioning and required space, whether one or multiple, at the new building.

"We have also decided to relocate all offices functioning near the barrack to the new facility," said the official.

The offices near the barrack will be relocated on priority basis as the works department will construct two more such office buildings adjacent to the new facility. The government's plan is to bring as many government offices as possible under one roof.

"It is a good move of the administration to open such a building for government offices. It will not only save resources but also time for the public," said Satyam Hota, a resident of Palasuni.

A works department official said the building was almost ready and it would open after the final electrical fittings and finishing work gets over. "The building is a nine-storey structure with basement parking facilities, gardens, sitting areas for visitors and more," said executive engineer D.B. Behera.

Construction of the building started in March 2016 with L&T taking up the project. The contractor has almost finished working on the first tower while in the next phase, two more towers - nine storeys each - will come up next to each other. The three towers will have basement parking facilities and nine floors with a total floor area of one lakh square feet.