2 weeks Ago
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has halted a proposal to develop the now-unused municipal school premises near the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected Tambekarwada into the Gujarat Painting Museum . The school, located adjacent to the historic monument, had deteriorated over time and was considered a potential threat to the monument. Tambekarwada is one of only two ASI-protected structures in the city.
In 2007, ASI requested possession of the school, and after prolonged discussions and necessary clearances, the VMC standing committee approved handing over the premises to ASI in 2020. However, shortly after this decision, a portion of the school building collapsed. In 2021, authorities proposed developing a museum at the site and sought a Rs 1 crore grant from the state govt.
While the grant was approved, no contractor was willing to take up the project, despite six rounds of tenders being floated. Due to inflation and a revised schedule of rates set by the roads and buildings department for 2023-24, the project estimates had to be updated. Even after these adjustments, no contractors expressed interest in the work during four subsequent tenders.
It was only on the fifth attempt that a contractor finally submitted a bid. Against an estimated cost of Rs 3.35 crore, the contractor initially quoted Rs 4.
26 crore but later agreed to Rs 4.22 crore after negotiations. The tender scrutiny committee cleared the proposal, and it was presented before the VMC standing committee.
During its meeting on Friday, the standing committee decided to send back the proposal, stating that spending Rs 4.22 crore on a project with only Rs 1 crore in approved funding was not justified. The committee suggested that the project could proceed only if additional funds were secured from the govt.
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