Mumbai (The Hindu): Decks have been cleared for the construction of a memorial to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar near Chaityabhoomi in Dadar.

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale formally handed over the transfer document of the 12-acre Indu Mill land to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday.

Tender floated

Mr. Fadnavis said the State government has already floated the tender for the construction of the memorial and the land transfer would expedite beginning work at Indu Mill. The Centre had already directed the State to begin groundwork of the memorial. Making a statement about the transfer of land for the memorial in the Legislative Assembly later, Mr. Fadnavis said the Maharashtra government’s name has been incorporated in the land records.

The State government has handed over Transfer of Development Right (TDR) worth ?1,400 crore to the National Textile Corporation (NTC), which can be used either at Mumbai city or suburbs. Mr. Fadnavis said the paperwork of the land transfer was completed within two days by the NTC and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

He said the Centre had allowed the State government to start work on the land and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has already begun clearing the area. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permissions have also been acquired.

Long-standing demand

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ms. Irani for handing over the land to the State government, Mr. Fadnavis said a long-standing demand had now been fulfilled. He reiterated the government’s commitment to build a grand memorial to Dr. Ambedkar to fulfil aspirations of people of Maharashtra. Earlier, Ms. Irani said the Centre has witnessed the efforts of Mr. Fadnavis and the people in Maharashtra towards the memorial. “We are glad this dream will come true now.”