Mumbai: L&T wins contract for Shivaji Memorial construction
The work on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Arabian Sea off Mumbai might start soon as CM Devendra Fadnavis handed over the Letter of Acceptance to infra-giant Larsen and Toubro yesterday. This happened only after the company slashed their price from Rs. 3,826 crore to Rs. 2,500 crore plus taxes, which is at least Rs. 200 crore more than government estimates.
'Historic day it is'
Work to start on the 210m tall statue post monsoon
Three companies had responded to the bidding, with L&T quoting the lowest at Rs. 3,826 crore. A committee was formed under the chief secretary to negotiate with the company and bring the price down. It finally agreed, and received the letter from the CM authorizing it to build the 210-meter tall statue. Work is likely to start post monsoon.
'L&T will take 2 months to finalize the design'
"L&T will take at least two months to finalize the design of the project and then work can start. Meanwhile, there are some permissions that are yet to come from the government," said a senior official associated with the project. The company has been given 36 months for completing the construction. It will then maintain it for the next 15 years.
All about the upcoming statue
The memorial will have the following features: Will be built on a 7-hectare rock bed; Located 1.5 meters inside the sea; Will cater to 10,000 visitors per day; Will bear the architecture of the Maratha empire; and Will have an amphitheatre, a temple, a library, a food court, an audio-guided tour, an aquarium, helipads and even a hospital, among others.
