Mumbai to have a Rajasthan House soon

JAIPUR: The state government has finally given a green signal to have a state-owned building in Mumbai that will provide convenient stay at economical rates to Rajasthanis visiting the metropolis.
However, what makes it seemingly a routine affair is the very fact that the project was initiated way back in 1991 and has been courting troubles ever since despite being intended for a noble cause.
"We have obtained all the required permissions and put in place all the perquisites for this building. The proposal for its building construction has been sent to the public works department (PWD) on Monday," said a top official associated with the development.
With the process making a headstart, design approval is the next big step before the government goes ahead with the construction of this building from the coming financial year.
To be constructed on a sprawling 8,000-square yard land situated right in front of the Vashi station in Navi Mumbai, the two-storied building will come as a big boon for those who would go there for treatment. The government plans different tariff criteria to ensure that the building, which might be tentatively called Rajasthan House, suits the needs of these people more than anything else.
"No fun charging premium prices from these people who are already bearing heavy treatment expenses. The place is conveniently located just across a local railway station and provides an easy access to the suburbs," says the official.
The place will have both rooms and dormitories to accommodate the patients and their care-takers. However, it will not be exclusively for them as government officials and politicians from the state can also use the facility when travelling to Mumbai, the official clarified.
It took 19 years for the project, conceived by the then Bhairon Singh Shekhwat government, to see the light of the day. The land for the same was acquired by the state government from City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) for Rs 1.48 crore which were paid in two installments in 1991-92 and 1992-93. But the actual possession of the land was taken only in 2001.
The state has been paying CIDCO penalty every year since 2003 for keeping its rights. This year, the state paid Rs 33 lakh to CIDCO. Confident that the project, once started, will serve the citizens better, the official said, "Once completed it will make the treatment a not so unpleasant experience."
Dateline
1991: Project conceived by B S Shekhawat government
1992: After paying CIDCO Rs 1.48 crore, state government acquires 8,000 square yard of land
2001: PWD takes possession of the land
2003-2008: Vasundhara Raje government sets up two high-level committees to look into the developmental prospects of the project. First committee, chaired by principal secretary (finance), proposes public-private participation-based model
2006: Bid documents prepared to examine the same by the second committee headed by principal secretary (public works). Expression for interest floated in the open market
2008: Raje government rejects PPP model in October and decides it to be a state-owned building
2010: The project secures all the clearances