Funds sanctioned for Babasaheb Ambedkar, Balasaheb Thackeray memorials

Giving a major push to grand memorials in honour of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Balasaheb Thackeray, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has sanctioned Rs 360 crore for the two ambitious projects.

While Rs 260 crore has sanctioned for the memorial project in honour of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of India’s Constitution, at the now-defunct Indu Mill, Rs 100 crore was sanctioned for the memorial of Balasaheb Thackeray, the late Shiv Sena founder and charismatic leader, at the erstwhile Mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park.

Both the projects are located in the Dadar area of Mumbai.

The funds were sanctioned at the meeting of MMRDA presided over by its Chairman and state’s Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde.

To enable the project involving the memorial of Dr Ambedkar, the documents related to the transfer of 12-acre land owned by the National Textile Corporation (NTC) has been handed over to the Maharashtra government.

The Indu Mill is close to Chaityabhoomi, where the last rites of Dr Ambedkar were held.

The project will have a 350-feet high bronze-cladded statue, accessed by a circular ramp, with a dome in ‘Buddhist Architecture' style as the pedestal. There would be a large meditation centre, exhibition halls, Parikrama-path connected to Chaityaboomi, conference halls, and so on. The total cost of the project is expected to be over Rs 600 crore.

The Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial Public Trust will undertake the memorial project in honour of the leader at the sea-facing bungalow. It may be recalled, a few years ago, the Mayor’s official residence was shifted to the heritage bungalow at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan-Zoo at Byculla by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).