The State Government has cleared the decks for construction of a 24-storey general purpose tower in the heart of the State Capital. Bidding and contract award process for the `169-crore project will be completed by January next year.
Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra reviewed the project, a joint venture between Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board and Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), here on Wednesday. The tower is planned on the Khadi Board premises along Janpath.
The concept plan for the tower has already been approved by Government. The total built-up area of the tower is estimated at 6,62,000 sq ft.
Meanwhile, short-listing of firms for execution of the work has already been taken up and so far, five offers have been received from firms of national and international repute. The Chief Secretary directed that the process should be expedited. The Government has targeted to complete the project by March, 2017.
The estimated cost for construction is pegged at `1,69.54 crore while land cost is `5.69 crore.
The proposed building will have a basement and ground floor besides 23 floors with a helipad on the roof. It will house office and shopping malls and space for interactive sessions, art shows.
The Chief Secretary has advised the GA Department to work out the terms and conditions of the built-up space, transaction and maintenance of the building in consultation with the JV partners. The Idco has been asked to plan safety, security and maintenance of the building which will be called Ekamra Tower.