Singapore firms to develop Curzon Park area

The Public Works Department in West Bengal has signed a memorandum of understanding with two Singapore-based companies "" Surbana International and Sembcorp Engineers along with Pragati Growth & Development Ltd for redevelopment of the city's heritage hub - Curzon Park.

The park was projected as a 'park-shopping-eating-hangout' destination and was envisaged as a two level basement parking for approximately 1,200 cars, 2 lakh square feet two level retail mall selling ethnic ware as well as branded goods.

There would also be undulating landscapes acting as an open-air theatre for musical concerts and performing arts, along with illuminated water bodies and sheltered sculptures to beautify the park.

An open-air food court cum exhibition centre, a premiere jogging trail and a well paved drainage system has also been envisaged. Renovation of the bus terminus in the area has also been considered as part of the project.

The new look curzon park is expected to be ready within 24 months from the date of commencement of work "" which is likely to begin after six months, once the details of the project are worked out.

"At the time of conception, the cost envisaged for the project was expected to be around Rs 50," said Dulal Mukherjee.

Officials from the government said, "In accordance with Infrastucture Development Policy and to give shape to the vision of PWD, the department has decided to engage an independent professional agency, which will carry out a techno economic feasibility study and will realistically frame a cost estimate and carry out a marketing and financial feasibility exercise for the project.

Surbana, Sembcopr and Pragati have decided to form a consortium for the Curzon Park Project.

Officials from Pragati said that in view of the requirement to instill confidence in the minds of prospective private sector investors from national and international arena.

PWD has decided to engage the consortium as the independent professional agency in terms of and for meeting the requirement of the infrastructure development policy.

"In this connection the consortium will also assist the government in finding investors through a transparent process as laid down in the policy and will therefafter be implementing the project as professional agencies rendering a comprehensive range of services," the official explained.