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Delay pushes up cost of Shivaji statue to Rs450 crore

Delayed projects and subsequent cost escalations have become a common occurrence for the state government and the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the city is no exception.

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Delayed projects and subsequent cost escalations have become a common occurrence for the state government and the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the city is no exception.

The delay of well over four years has escalated the cost of the Arabian Sea-located project by almost double the amount, taking it to Rs450 crore. The original estimated cost of the project in 2009 was Rs200 crore. 

Meanwhile, the state government is expected to finally sign an agreement with the consultant of the project, Team One.

The government has also decided to seek an exemption from Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations for the structure to avoid environmental snarls in the proposed project. “The memorial will be constructed right inside the sea as announced by  chief minister Prithviraj Chavan last month. However, the state has decided to request the ministry of environment and forests for exemption of the project from CRZ regulations. It’s a project of national importance and the exemption would be similar to what was given to Navi Mumbai airport,” said an officer from the Mantralaya.

The Shivaji memorial was conceived in 2008 and subsequently, the state cabinet approved TeamOne, Mumbai and Bensley Design Studio, Thailand as consultants for the project. In a meeting of the core committee held recently and headed by chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad, the signing an agreement was decided. “The demand of the consultant for a fee of 7.5% of the project has been turned down. Once the consultant gets back to us with his quote, we will enter into an agreement,” the officer said.

The committee has also changed the terms of reference meant for the consultant. The appointment of experts from areas of geology and the environment will now be done by the government. Earlier, the responsibility was with the consultant.

The consultant will now be restricted to supervising design, which includes structural engineering, the landscaping and interiors of the project, which is expected to be spread across seven acres on the Arabian Sea, off Marine Drive.

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