Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the iconic twin observatory towers atop the new Zuari Bridge on May 23. While the ceremony marks a formal start, actual construction will commence after the monsoon season. The Rs 270 crore project, awarded to Zuari Observatory Towers, a subsidiary of Dilip Buildcon, awaits key approvals, including CRZ clearance and environmental consent. The Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the National Institute of Oceanography is nearing completion, a crucial step before work can begin.
Designed to host over 500 visitors each, the twin towers will feature permanent walkways and high-speed elevators to viewing galleries. Developed under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, the concessionaire will operate the facility for 50 years and recoup the investment by charging entry fees. Though the contract allows 60 months for completion, the company aims to open the towers to the public within three years. Gadkari had laid the project’s foundation in December 2023 and has since voiced concern over delays in execution.
