Monday 18 September 2017

Cost escalation of Rs 166 crores for the Indu Mill Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial due to 23 months delay

In background of the Bihar Assembly Elections, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had done the bhoomi poojan of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial at the Indu Mill plot. But till date no activity has been started despite 23 months being elapsed since the bhoomi poojan. But the fallout of the delay has increased the proposed cost by Rs 166 crores. Presently the total cost is estimated to Rs 591 crores and the Architect, M/s Shashi Prabhu and Associates have been paid Rs 3.44 crores as per the information provided by MMRDA to RTI Activist Anil Galgali.

RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the MMRDA about the proposed Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial at Indu Mill. With the Bihar Assembly Elections looming large, the PM Narendra Modi had done the bhoomi poojan of the project and at that time it was announced that the estimated project cost would be Rs 425 crores. The MMRDA has informed Galgali that, the Indu Mill memorial plot size is 48414.83 sq metres and possession of the land is with the MMRDA on behalf of the state government since 25th March 2017. The tender was called for on 14th April 2017 on the basis of Design and Construction and once the tender process is completed the work will be started. The project cost is presently estimated to be Rs 591 crores. The MMRDA has appointed M/s Shashi Prabhu and Associates as Architect for the project and has paid them Rs 3.44 crores as consultancy for the project. The Bhoomi poojan was conducted on 11th October 2015 at the hands of PM Narendra Modi.

Anil Galgali in a statement has expressed regret that, though there was no preparation on planning done for the project, the bhoomi poojan was done only looking at the approaching Bihar Assembly Elections. The cost of the unplanned working has costed Rs 166 crores. The Central govt and the state government should take due precautions in future to ensure such losses due to escalation do not happen, demanded Anil Galgali.

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