Deputy CM is keen on Mantralaya redo plan

Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal is still pursuing the Rs 1,376-crore Mantralaya makeover project, despite it being rejected by none

other than chief minister Ashok Chavan.

"Chavan should spare some time and look into the viability of the project," Bhujbal said during an informal chat with journalists at Suyog in Civil Lines, Nagpur on Tuesday morning. The project was rejected by the CM due to "lack of clarity" and the TOI was the first to report about the cloud over the Mantralaya redevelopment plan.

However, Bhujbal on Tuesday claimed that the project would not just revamp Mantralaya, but also provide better homes for ministers, judges and IAS officers. The project involves redoing the main Mantralaya building, the administrative building opposite to it and the 50 row bungalows which currently house judges and ministers.

"The proposed project aims to create a new Mantralaya building which will be constructed as per international standards, will have state-of-the art technology, security gadgets, power saving devices, supported by a beautiful facade and landscaping," he told mediapersons.

"The infrastructure body had floated tenders and the bid was bagged by Indiabulls," he stated. However, the project is now in limbo as the CM is opposed to it.