Preparations under way to inaugurate the centre in two months; contract has been finalised and sent to the cabinet for approval.
Here is good news for those awaiting the inauguration of National Military Memorial (NMM) at Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park. If everything goes according to plan, the NMM’s inauguration is expected to become a reality in two months.
The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has finalised an Ahmedabad-based agency to bring the 700-tonne monolithic stone pillar (Veeragallu) from a village near Devanahalli to the NMM.
Sources said that the contract has been finalised and sent to the state cabinet for approval. “The contract was given to Nabros Transport Pvt Ltd of Ahmedabad. The transport company has agreed to transport the 700-tonne monolithic stone pillar to Bangalore for Rs5.46 crore. We are waiting for the Cabinet’s approval,” said Muddurangiah, assistant engineer, BDA.
Delays
The inauguration of NMM was scheduled last year on Republic Day; later, it was postponed to Independence Day. And for the third time, it was postponed to Vijay Diwas Day. And, this year, the delay in finalising the contractor had postponed the inauguration of NMM once again.
This year again, the BDA officials were confident of throwing the NMM open to public on January 26, but again the plan did not materialise. “It is the Nabros’ responsibility to make all arrangements, including availing traffic police’s help to bring in the monolithic stone pillar here. The work on landscaping has already commenced and it requires only a few weeks for completion,” explained Muddurangaiah.
Meanwhile, a de-commissioned air force plane and an armoured tank were installed at the park. “A de-commissioned war ship is also on its way. We will complete the remaining work as soon as the monolithic stone pillar is arrived,’’ said Krupashankar, an employee of the agency assigned to do landscaping and other civil works at the park.
About 90% of the carving of monolithic stone pillar has been completed. The BDA has given the tender for quarrying and carving of monolithic stone to the Bidadi-based sculptor, Ashok Gudigar, for Rs94.08 lakh.
The work on walkways at the NMM park is complete. The work on water harvesting is in progress while flooring work in the motivation hall is complete. The work on amphitheatre that can accommodate 200 people is nearing completion and the names of 20,000-plus martyrs have been procured.
These names will be etched on granite stones near the monolithic stone pillar. Busts of heroes from Karnataka such as FM Manekshaw, FM Cariappa, Col Vasanth, Maj Sandeep Unnikrishnan, among others, will be displayed inside the motivation hall.
“The initial progress of the memorial dedicated by the people of Bangalore was brisk. But, in recent months, it has slowed down. However, owing to the commitment of the NMM Committee, Bangalore Development Authority and, more importantly, the veteran community and armed forces themselves, significant progress in terms of construction has been made.
We are hopeful the construction will be complete and ready for inauguration at the earliest,” said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP and chairman, National Military Memorial Committee.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}