Chaityabhoomi project MoU soon

The government is keen on expediting the land acquisition to enable itself,at least,to lay a foundation stone on the death anniversary of Ambedkar on December 6,when Dalits from across the country visit the spot to pay tributes.

Sources said the government was also trying to seek the goodwill of Dalits as major Dalit outfits (like Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India) have broken away from the Congress-NCP alliance last year on the eve of the Assembly polls. They said the Congress-NCP might also raise the Chaityabhoomi project as an issue while campaigning for the forthcoming civic polls in Mumbai.

Incidentally,Chaityabhoomi is the spot at the Dadar seafront where Ambedkar was cremated in 1956. The renovation by the BMC and the government is estimated to cost Rs 21 crore. The first phase was completed three years ago and it included a pathway,improved drainage system and boulders to protect the retaining wall. The second and third phases include construction of a walkway projecting into the sea,widening of the existing pathway,expanding the existing stupa,landscaping,water fountain and a circular meditation pavilion next to the stupa.

The fourth phase will involve construction of a library,for which land belonging to Indu Mills is required. The state has decided to create an authority to handle the project.