M'rashtra firm built border city's Soudha

The Suvarna Vidhana Soudha building, the State’s second secretariat, at Halga-Bastwad villages on the outskirts of the city has been constructed by a Pune-based company, the border dispute notwithstanding.

The demand to include Belgaum in Maharashtra has not affected the company based in the neighbouring state from undertaking the construction of the magnificent edifice.

The stone structure reaffirms the State’s claim that Belgaum is an integral part of Karnataka. B G Shirke Construction Technology Private Limited (BGSCTPL) that constructed Vikasa Soudha in Bangalore between 2001 and 2003 was awarded the contract for the construction of the Suvarna Soudha too.

The company has completed the work in three years. The Soudha is among the 27 projects undertaken by the firm in its 22-year association with the State.

B G Sangle, deputy general manager of BGSCTPL, told Deccan Herald  that the company had completed the work as required, despite practical odds like getting labour from other states. The building has been constructed as per the conditions and technical specifications laid down in the contract.

Mammoth pillars

Ornamental stone has been used in the construction of the Soudha, with skilled workers brought in from Tamil Nadu. The mammoth pillars, upto 20 metres in height, required specialised centring works.

Though the company was based in Maharashtra, there was no pressure from any quarter in the neighbouring state against the firm taking up construction of the Soudha, Sangle said, adding that it was just another project for them.

The Soudha has been constructed as per the plan approved by the government and the blueprint. Modern technology and machinery were used, he said. The firm deployed 1,400 labourers and 36 engineers for the Soudha work. White stones required for the building work were brought from Hesaraghatta in Bangalore, officials in the Public Works Department said.