Nagpur: Maharashtra legislature secretariat has formally initiated the construction of two major buildings under the long-awaited expansion of Nagpur Vidhan Bhavan, paving the way for a Rs1,002.76 crore project that aims to transform the old complex into a modern legislative hub.Two memorandums issued by the legislature secretariat on July 31 show that the project has been split into two components. The first involves construction of a new legislature and annex building (Part-I) at an approved cost of Rs662.98 crore, while the second comprises a 14-storey administrative building (Part-II) costing Rs339.78 crore. Together, the two projects will cost Rs1,002.76 crore, significantly lower than the original estimates of over Rs1,119 crore submitted by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC).The documents show that MSIDC had originally proposed Rs706.11 crore for Part-I and Rs413.69 crore for Part-II. However, the high-powered committee pruned the estimates before recommending the proposals to Cabinet Infrastructure Committee for approval.Confirming the development, a senior MSIDC official told TOI that the corporation will now begin the tendering process. “The next stage is floating the tenders so that work can commence at the earliest,” the official said. The draft tender documents are being prepared by MSIDC in consultation with project consultant Hafeez Contractor and Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s town planning, planning and project departments. The civic body had transferred the required land for expansion nearly a year ago.The official further said the road behind the existing Vidhan Bhavan will be permanently closed to facilitate construction of the expanded complex. The administrative tower will house legislature-related offices, including offices of recognised political parties, and will be connected to the main Vidhan Bhavan through an underground tunnel. The new legislature complex will feature modern Assembly and Council halls, committee rooms, offices for constitutional authorities, media facilities, and upgraded security infrastructure.The project will be executed by MSIDC through the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode to fast-track implementation. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete the entire project by 2028, before the end of the present govt’s term.
