BANGALORE: Bringing the monolithic granite stone Veeragallu from Koira village in Devanahalli Talluk to National Military Memorial (NMM) in Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain park is going to be a challenge for the Bangalore Development Authority.
The transportation costs demanded by the contractor who has been given the tender is Rs 5.89 crore to bring the stone. However, for the distance required to be covered, the BDA had given an approximate value of Rs 1.9 crore.
The 70-feet-tall Veeragallu weighing roughly 440 metric tonnes will be a symbolic representation of the unknown soldier who can inspire visitors of the War Memorial to join the Armed Forces.
When BDA called the tender, only one company had given the quotation, that is ABC INDIA LTD.
Initially the company had given an estimated amount of Rs 6.5 crore. However, later on they reduced it Rs 5.89 crore. As the BDA had no other option they had to agree.
BDA has given the tender for quarrying and carving of monolithic stone to the Bidadi-based sculpture, Ashok Gudigar for the cost of Rs 94.08 lakh. Gudigar and his team plan to start the work shortly.
Commenting on the transportation cost, BM Shivakumar, president of Jayaaprakashnarayan Vichara Vedike said, “It is good to have a NMM. But just to transport the Veeragallu from Devanahalli to Indira Gandhi musical fountain park that is not more than 40 kilometres is taking nearly Rs 6.89 crore. It is an extremely huge amount to spend. Instead of spending it on Veeragallu, the government can deposit it in to the Soldiers’ Welfare Fund.
It will be much more helpful.
Initially the cost was estimated to be approximately Rs 12 crore and now the committee is claiming that it will reach up to Rs 17 crore. Unnecessary money has been spent without taking proper care.” An ex-serviceman said, “It is very sad that the contractor is asking for so much money to bring Veeragallu to the National Military Memorial.
At the moment the work is in progress there.
The BDA officials had told us that they will hand over the site by May but there is too much work pending at the site. We thought of inaugurating the War Memorial on July 26, which is also known as Kargil Day.
But as of now it looks like it is going to take another six months before it is ready.”