Will Gorewada zoo architect's visit speed things up a bit?

NAGPUR: With the fate of the Gorewada International Zoo project hanging in balance, will Bernard Harrison's visit to Nagpur on Wednesday give it a push?
Bernard of Bernard Harrison & Friends, who drew up the zoo master plan, is expected to meet Gorewada project officials on February 23. According to sources, he will be accompanied by his local consultant and architect Ashfaque Ahmed.He will leave for Mumbai on February 24.
Though BSK Reddy, director, Gorewada Project, described it as a courtesy visit, Bernard is expected to discuss the first phase of the international zoo and the Rs 27.37 crore allotted for the proposed rescue centre project.
"As the plan is too ambitious, we have been told by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to revise it into four phases spread across 10 years. Bernard is already on the job," Reddy told TOI.
The Gorewada officials have on February 4 written to the government to take a positive decision about Rs 220 crore required to complete the first phase. It includes a biopark, entry plaza, car park, Indian safari and rescue centre. To attract tourists, consultant feels that starting work on the Indian safari is a must.
"We have demanded Rs 41.50 crore in 2011-12 state budget for the first phase. Out of this, Rs 9.1 crore will be for the rescue centre. A revised proposal for the rescue centre will be sent by March 15," Reddy said.
The CZA expert group had on January 4 written to the Gorewada officials to make provisions for other species and sufficient number of ministerial staff for the centre to be headed by an ACF. According to the CZA, the rescue centre plan was silent on procurement of feed for animals, especially carnivores. Also, the layout plan did not show contours and lacked clarity. The authority has also asked for drawings of the proposed enclosures.
"The contour plans are ready and we are waiting for the drawings. We had requested Bernard to prepare drawings and cross-sections of proposed cages for wild animals, but he was in the UK and his architect was in Turkey," Reddy said. The issue is expected to figure in the meeting with Bernard on Wednesday.
Initially, the Gorewada zoo master plan was submitted to CZA in December 2009, ahead of the assembly session in Nagpur, to please the people's representatives. In February 2010, the CZA asked the officials to redraw the plan with certain back queries, and sought financial commitment from the government on the mega project.
Since then, the proposal has been revised twice - once in June and in October. Yet, there have been certain corrections that need to be made. The CZA prescription on removing tents and lodges and concrete plan on sewage have not been included in the project as yet.