The BJP-led state government on Tuesday sanctioned INR 100 crore from the kitty of infrastructure development authority MMRDA for a memorial of late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on the plot that has housed the mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park. The decision came on the eve of Thackeray’s 92nd birth anniversary.
The prime sea-facing property will on Wednesday be transferred by the BMC to the trust set up to oversee construction of the memorial. The Sena has planned a grand event on the occasion, which is expected to be attended by Devendra Fadnavis, CM, Uddhav Thackeray, President, Shiv Sena, Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Mayor, Ajoy Mehta, Chief, BMC and members of the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak, the trust formed for the memorial. The trust is headed by Uddhav Thackeray and will have administrative control over the memorial.
State finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “Balasaheb Thackeray was not just a leader of the Sena but a leader of the (Sena-BJP) alliance. He will remain a person of great importance for all political parties. Therefore, in the cabinet meeting, INR 100 crore has been approved for his memorial which will inspire youth.”
Member-secretary of the trust and state minister for industries Subhash Desai said that MMRDA has been appointed the implementing agency for the project. It will invite tenders for construction of the memorial in the next one week. “All permissions, including CRZ, have been obtained by the government. Now MMRDA will invite tenders for construction of a two-storey underground building as per the design finalised by an architect while the existing heritage structure of the mayor’s bungalow will be kept intact and the greenery on the premises as well,” Desai said. Sources said PM Modi will be invited for the memorial’s ‘bhoomipujan’ which is likely this month-end. Desai said the state government will reimburse INR 100 crore to MMRDA.
Source: TOI
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