IE : Mumbai makeover: State govt to incorporate look-good factor too : Sept 4, 2007

Mumbai makeover: State govt to incorporate look-good factor too

New govt structures like buildings & flyovers would be cleared by an
aesthetics committee, then referred to officials for inviting tenders

Rakshit Sonawane

Mumbai, September 03: The Vilasrao Deshmukh government, which wants to
transform the metropolis into a world-class city and has undertaken several
makeover projects, has now decided to pay attention to aesthetics of the
structures.

To begin with, new government structures like buildings, offices and
flyovers would be first cleared by an aesthetics committee and then referred
to officials concerned for inviting tenders. A Government Resolution (GR) is
expected to be issued within a month in this regard.

When we look at modern cities, we find that the structures there have new
architectural designs that add value to the city's looks," a senior official
said. "Here, we have not been able to do anything substantial after the
British left. We have decided to have a panel which would first study the
aesthetics and then draw up estimates and invite tenders. To begin with,
this policy will be made applicable to structures of government agencies.
Eventually, even private structures will be included."

The official pointed out that while constructing a government office or a
flyover, the junior engineer of the public works department or the
government agency concerned is entrusted with the job of drawing up
estimates and designs. "We want to introduce modern architectural concepts
in Mumbai so that they match with those existing in modern cities," he said.
"We are studying structures like buildings, flyovers, railway stations,
which exist or are under construction in cities like Munich, Berlin and
Shanghai."

He said that as per the GR, each department and government agency would have
to set up a committee of officials to take decisions on the aesthetic aspect
of any structure. The committee would be free to consult professionals
before finalising the look of a project and then it would be taken up for
estimates and inviting tenders. The GR has been finalised and is waiting
Deshmukh's nod.

As a part of its quest for modern architectural concepts, a presentation by
a German company-von Gerkan, Marg und Patner, Architects (better known as
GMP)-has been organised for officials of government agencies like the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, members of the
Citizens' Action Group and some special invitees on Wednesday at Max Muller
Bhavan.

Publication : IE; Section : MN; Pg : 1; Date : 4/9/07
URL : http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=254452