Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial has neither Feasibility Report nor Technical Estimate
NEW DELHI:The project of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in the Arabian Sea is without any feasibility report, not there any technical estimation done, reveals a reply received under the Right to Information Act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 December 2016 laid the foundation for the Memorial of the Maratha warrior King.
Pune-based RTI activist Sanjay Shirodkar had filed the RTI asking copies of feasibility report, technical estimate, environmental clearance and approval given by the Maharashtra government of the Project, estimated to cost about Rs3,600 crore. The Memorial includes a proposed 192-meter tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will be built off the coast of Mumbai by reclaiming land from the Arabian Sea.
Replying to the RTI, VG Jethra, Public Information Officer (PIO) and Deputy Engineer of CMSM Project Division, says, “The Feasibility Report of the said project is not prepared. Being an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract, the Technical Estimate of this Memorial Project is not prepared.”
Shirodkar says, “Feasibility report is the base of every infrastructure project. How this was not prepared for this mega project? In EPC, the Contractor is made responsible for activities from EPC to Commissioning and hand over to end user or Owner.
Again Government should prepare a Technical Estimate of any infrastructure project. In this case if this happens then who will control the Cost Escalation?”
