The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has shortlisted 14 of 39 international consulting firms that have expressed interest in reshaping Mumbai and its surrounding region into a cleaner, greener and hi-tech metropolis. The project involves drawing up an overall perspective plan for the next 30 to 40 years and will cost around Rs 6 crore.
Mumbai Makeover.jpgThe shortlisted consultants include Jurong Consultants, Singapore; Lea International, Canada; Urbis, Dubai, UAE; Calthrope Associates, Gensler, ILFS, Perkins Eastman and , Atonk International/Edsa, USA; Groupe SCE and Arup Consultants with Domnique Perrault, France; Buro Happold, UK; Maxwan Arehelt, the Netherlands; GFB, Germany; and Consulting Engineering Services, India.
Now, a steering committee headed by MMRDA Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad will examine the 14 firms before selecting the winning bidder. "We plan to appoint the consultant by the end of October this year,"' said U.P.S. Madan, head of the city transformation unit of the All India Institute of Local Self Government which is assisting in the Mumbai makeover plan.
According to Madan, the plan will have several broad parameters including housing projects aimed at reducing slums, developing economic centres in the metropolitan region, focus on transport, and better use of land. "A list has been drafted for certain sectors which need investment from financial institutions in India and abroad, to give the city a global makeover," he said.'
Narinder Nayar, Chairman of Bombay First and a member of the steering committee, said that the plan would also emphasise on the development of social infrastructure such as education and health institutions.
Source : ProjectMonitor
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