Tallest govt building: A 61-storey headquarter for Surat civic body on the cards

SMC officials said that they are checking the feasibility for this project on the 22,000 sq m land on the Ring Road where old sub-jail once stood

SURAT: The Chinese dragon has set tongues wagging in the Diamond City by proposing that it could help build a towering 61-storey headquarters for the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).

If the project, which sounds like a fanciful hope for now, is executed this could be the tallest government building in India. SMC has been operating from the historical Mughal Sarai building that was built way back in 1644 during the reign of Shahjahan.

The Chinese delegation comprising government firms that are into construction business had visited Surat last year and claimed that they could construct this fully environment-friendly skyscraper in very short time using pre-fabricated technology.

SMC officials said that they are checking the feasibility for this project on the 22,000 sq m land on the Ring Road where old sub-jail once stood. At least 13 consultants have been asked to prepare designs and submit them to SMC authorities for selection and approval.

Milind Torwane, municipal commissioner, said, "We are awaiting a feasibility report on building a multi-storeyed structure on the chunk of land with us. The mega project of SMC headquarters will take shape through public-private partnership (PPP)."

Standing committee chairman Rajesh Desai said, "We have to take a policy decision on linking the local body's administrative office with commercial establishments. It has not been seen anywhere else." He added, "We will have to shift the site if the 61-storey structure can't be built on the sub-jail land. We will soon take a decision on it."

Sources said that the concept of skyscraper for SMC headquarters was suggested by the Prime Minister's Office following which the Chinese team visited Surat.

Manoj Gandhi, India head of Anuj Infra Tech, which is an associate partner of seven companies of government of China, said, "Prefabrication construction technology means things are prepared in a factory and later assembled at the site.

Sun Capital