BMC shortlists firms for redevelopment of Bandra fort

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has selected a firm to redevelop and beautify Castella de Aguada, more commonly known as Bandra Fort, at an estimated cost of ₹20.62 crore. Amongst the seven firms that took part in the tendering process, the civic body has selected M/s API Silicon Private Limited.

The firm quoted 15 per cent below the estimated cost of the project. Accordingly, the proposal will now be tabled at the standing committee meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, for a final go-ahead.

According to the proposal, the redecoration will consist of:

• Work on the entrance to the fort area
• Use of basalt rock within the sitting areas of the garden
• A cycle track on the fort side leading towards Taj Lands End hotel
• An information board on the historic importance of the fort.

Once the firm is handed the contract, they will have to conclude the beautification work within 18 months of accepting the work order.

According to a BMC official, the beautification work is expected to begin by March-end. Meanwhile, the proposal does not involve any construction work and only focuses on landscape and beautification related work is being planned.

Assistant municipal commissioner (ward C), Vinayak Vispute, told HT that as a part of the project, they have identified almost 100 illegal encroachments in the area, that need to be demolished/relocated since they pose a hurdle for this project.

However, raising questions about the proposal, Congress corporator Asif Zakaria, said that the budget for the project was excessive. He stated that a budget of ₹20 crore is too much for only the beautification process and alongside, it has no provision for removal of illegal encroachments.