Tajganj project cost revised to Rs. 167 cr.

The Tajganj project, aimed at modernizing the areas surrounding Taj Mahal, will be completed at a cost of Rs. 167 crore instead of the earlier estimate of Rs. 136.49 crore.

The project includes upgradation of 15 slum clusters in the Taj Ganj area, renovation of public amenities like toilets and parks, re-laying of roads and pathways on the east, west and south gates of the Taj Mahal, besides removing all overhead wiring by re-laying power transmission lines underground.

The revised estimate has been approved by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet and the sanctioned amount is expected to be released to the executing agencies soon.

The approval has come close on the heels of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav conducting an inspection of the ongoing work under the project in the city on October 4. He had directed the officials to complete all the project related work in the given time frame.

The Tajganj project, one of the pet projects of the CM, is expected to be completed by December 2016. However, sources said the work has been going at a very slow pace and except for the duct laying work to remove overhead wiring and construction of toilets, other work is yet to be started.

District magistrate Pankaj Kumar said, 'The new estimate was approved by the cabinet following the CM's visit. Now, all the work will be carried out simultaneously. The project will be completed within the stipulated time.'

Special emphasis is also being laid on upgrading security at the Taj Mahal by creating check posts, bunkers and crash barriers and installing a separate set of CCTV cameras at all the three gates of the monument.

TOI