MMRDA plans iconic tower at Wadala, Mumbai

With a height of 526 m (1725.28 ft), MMRDA mandarins say it will be the world's third tallest building after the under-construction Burj Tower in Dubai and Freedom Tower in New York.

The project, if it ever gets through with approvals, is expected to fetch the government an annual lease rent of Rs 1,800 crore. The project, to be submitted to chief minister Ashok Chavan for approval, will cost Rs 4,128 crore. The tower will have five floors reserved for parking and 16 for other essential services.

The remaining 80 floors will house office spaces and other commercial, recreational, academic and entertainment facilities.

"The one we have planned at Wadala will be bigger than that of Taipei's 101-floor structure; ours will have more height than that. While the cost of construction will be Rs 3,600 crore, that of developing infrastructure in and around will be Rs 500 crore," said an MMRDA official, adding that it would require no state funding and would be built on a build-operate-transfer basis.

The state is keen to rope in a global firm to attract MNCs and corporates to hire spaces in the building.

Proposed on a 1.4-lakh-sq-m plot, its built up area with 4 FSI will come to around 60,00,000 sq m. The concession period for the private firm will be a maximum of 35 years.

Anand Gupta, honorary general secretary of Builders' Association of India, said such structures were "feasible in terms of location and financial viability". Told that factories (such as RCF) were located nearby, he said such factors could not be constraints.

Aniruddha Paul, director of Raheja College of Architecture, said even though there was no need for high-rises to brand Mumbai abroad, the project was feasible. "Such skyscrapers can be green buildings as well. I will suggest that proper environmental care be taken," he added.

(via Times of India)