JOIN USTen weeks after a major fire gutted the Maharashtra state headquarters, the government plans to fully repair and renovate the iconic building, including making it centrally air-conditioned, an official said on Thursday.
The project to give a facelift to the Mantralaya is expected to cost Rs 11,00 crore and will be completed in phases in the next eight months, the official said.
Renovation
The government decided to go for renovation after a fire on June 21 damaged large parts of the main building, and killed five people besides injuring many others.
The renovation plans include making the entire building complex centrally air-conditioned, besides installing a modern fire-fighting system with water sprinklers.
The government will award the renovation work, for which competitive bids have been invited, to a public limited company.
In the first phase lasting four months, the fourth, fifth and sixth floors will be renovated followed by the ground, first, second and third floors in the next four months.
Earlier, Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had said the Mantralaya would become functional within three months after the fire.
Work of several departments and ministers, previously operating from Mantralaya, is being carried from different locations in Mumbai.