4 hrs ago
Adani Group to Spend ₹100 Crore Restoring Writers’ Buildings
Writers’ Buildings is an old and important government building in Kolkata.
Its restoration began 13 years ago but progressed slowly.
Only about one-quarter of the work is finished.
The West Bengal government has now asked the Adani Group to complete the restoration.
The company is expected to spend more than ₹100 crore as part of its corporate social responsibility work.
The plan includes removing some newer sections added after India became independent.
Older parts of the building will be repaired to look closer to their pre-1947 design.
The work is expected to take about a year.
The West Bengal government handed Writers’ Buildings to the Adani Group for restoration.
The Adani Group is expected to spend more than ₹100 crore through its corporate social responsibility program.
Only about 25% of the restoration has been completed after work began 13 years ago.
The original plan calls for demolishing post-Independence additions and restoring key blocks to their pre-1947 appearance.
Writers’ Buildings stopped housing the state secretariat after offices moved to Nabanna in October 2013.
- Who
- The West Bengal government and the Adani Group are responsible for the restoration agreement.
- What
- The Adani Group will restore Writers’ Buildings under two memorandums of understanding, including one for the heritage structure.
- Where
- Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- The agreement was announced on Thursday; restoration work had already been stalled for 13 years.
- Why
- The restoration has progressed slowly, with only about 25% completed, while newer additions have contributed to the buildings’ deterioration.
Key facts
- Estimated Adani investment
- More than ₹100 crore
- Restoration completed
- About 25%
- Previous restoration period
- 13 years
- Expected completion
- Within about one year
- Original estimated cost
- ₹200 crore
- Restoration plan
- Restore key sections to their pre-1947 appearance
- Secretariat relocation
- State offices moved to Nabanna in October 2013
Quotes
A senior state government official
A Bengal government official familiar with the restoration agreement
“The restoration of Writers' was heading nowhere as it took almost 13 years for the state government to complete only 25 per cent of the work. It does not send a good message if the state delays the restoration of a structure of importance like the Writers' Buildings”
telegraphindia.com
“The state government signed an MoU with the Adani Group to complete the restoration of Writers' Buildings. The group will undertake the work as part of its corporate social responsibility exercise, and is likely to spend more than ₹100 crore to complete it”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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