Twitter
Advertisement

Karnataka's legal battle with Maharashtra proving costly

The construction cost of Suvarna Soudha, the proposed seat of governance during the monsoon, soaring 74% to Rs400 crore from the estimated Rs230 crore in the past 14 months.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Karnataka’s legal battle with Maharashtra over Belgaum is proving to be a costly one with the construction cost of Suvarna Soudha, the proposed seat of governance during the monsoon, soaring 74% to ¤400 crore from the estimated Rs230 crore in the past 14 months.

The decision to construct the Suvarna Soudha at Halaga Bastavadi in Belgaum was taken to assert that Belgaum is an integral part of Karnataka as well as to strengthen the state’s bonding with the people there.

It was also meant to spur the economic development of that region and strengthen the emotional integration of the people with the state.

To achieve these ends, the government decided to hold the monsoon session of the state legislative assembly in Belgaum, and started the construction of the Suvarna Soudha.

The construction project missed its January 2011 deadline, and is now expected to be completed by September this year. The assembly is likely to hold the coming winter session in Belgaum.
The state government has held two sessions in Belgaum — in 2006 and 2008 — at the KLE Medical College campus.

The contract for the construction of Suvarna Soudha has been awarded to Pune-based BG Shirke Construction Technology, the same firm that had constructed the Vikasa Soudha in Bangalore.

Justifying the escalation of cost, CM Udasi, minister for public works department said the detailed project report prepared did not initially include the expenses for providing amenities such as power, water, landscaping, installation of CCTVs, elevators, furnishing and external lighting. “A committee headed by the former chief secretary, Sudhakara Rao, had approved the revision of costs to Rs350 crore from Rs230 crore,” the minister said.

According to the plan, Suvarna Soudha will have six floors, including one on the ground level, with a total built-up area of 52,624 sqm in 127.8 acres. The building will comprise an assembly hall, a council hall, a conference hall to seat 300 members, a banquet hall, central hall with a seating capacity of 450 (similar to the one in parliament), cabinet hall and office rooms for chief minister and ministers.

The construction of assembly, council and cabinet halls are almost complete. “The interiors are being done and everything will be completed by September 2011,” said Udasi.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement