PANAJI
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will hold the ground-breaking ceremony of the proposed iconic twin towers atop the new Zuari Bridge May 23. However, the actual construction work will begin post monsoons.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the Union Minister will hold the ground-breaking ceremony for the Rs 270 crore project on Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is in the final stage of undertaking the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the project, which is expected to be completed anytime soon.
The PWD in 2023 had executed a Concession Agreement with Dilip Buildcon owned subsidiary -- Zuari Observatory Towers -- for construction of Rs 270 crore twin Observatory Towers and Viewing Galleries atop the bridge which was expected to be completed within three years from the time of execution of the work.
Speaking to The Goan, the vice president (constructions) Dilip Buildcon Atul Joshi said that the EIA study is nearing completion. “Though the ground breaking ceremony will be held, the actual construction work will commence only post monsoon. We are yet to get the required permissions pending EIA study,” he said.
The company has applied for various permissions with the concerned authorities like Indian Navy, Coastal Zone Management Authority for CRZ clearance, Goa State Pollution Control Board for the consent to establish, etc.
Though, as per agreement, the company is granted 60 months to complete, it intends to finish and throw it open for the public in three years.
The foundation for the project was laid on December 22, 2023 at the hands of Gadkari, who had later raised concern over delay in commencing the work.
According to Joshi, each of the towers is set to have a capacity to accommodate more than 500 persons at a time. It is likely that the visitors will be provided access to the twin towers’ base through a permanent walkway and once at the base of the towers, the visitors will be transported atop through high-speed elevators.
According to the tender, it is being constructed on a DBFOT basis which means that the concessioner will raise the revenue to cover the construction cost by charging a fee for use of the towers by visitors.
As per the agreement, the contractor will operate the towers for 50 years with visitors to the observatory being charged fees.
