The incomplete Nabanna annexe building — a proposed 11-storey structure at Mandirtala in Howrah near state secretariat Nabanna — has turned into a nightmare for authorities.

An internal report of the state public works department has pointed out that the abandoned place has become a den of goons and a major untoward incident was just waiting to happen.

Sources in the government said the work for the annexe building started in June 2018 but after the casting of the ground floor roof, the project came to a halt following “verbal instructions of higher administrative authorities” in June 2019.

The cost of the project was estimated at Rs 48.41 crore. The carpet area of the ground floor and first floor was supposed to be 880.49sqm.

‘There was a plan that all the departments, which were run in rented places since the Writers’ Buildings was vacated for renovation in 2013, would be brought to the annexe building which is located at a stone's throw from Nabanna. But after 20 per cent of the estimated cost was spent to complete the base for an 11-storey building and casting the roof of the ground floor, the project was stopped without showing any particular reason,” said a senior official.

The state PWD pointed out that the building had become unsafe for the area with local goons starting to invade it.

“It is very close to the state secretariat and a structure like this always poses a threat to the security of the state secretariat where all VVIPs have their chambers or visit on a regular basis. It is good that the PWD has drawn attention of the authorities to the structure," said a source.

The internal report by the PWD also stated that about six months ago, a proposal was put forward to construct a three-storey building in the place to house the office of the director of security.

“But no communication thereafter has been made by the director of security. Hence, the fate of the project remains the same,” reads the PWD’s internal report.

The PWD has proposed to arrange security cover for the site and has also proposed to construct a boundary walls to prevent any untoward incident.

However, officials were not sure whether the proposals would be approved as the state government is facing a financial crunch in order to run a series of welfare schemes.